The highest civilian honor

Published on December 12, 2016

“He is the definition of greatness. He is the definition of somebody so good at what they do that everybody recognizes them. That’s pretty rare.”

That greatness described by President Barack Obama of Michael Jordan was nurtured within the low stone wall boundaries of Carolina’s campus, in Carmichael Arena in particular. As a scholarship athlete, Jordan helped legendary basketball coach Dean Smith bring his first national title to Chapel Hill. He then went on to transcended cultures.

President Obama awarded Jordan the Presidential Medal of Freedom during a Nov. 22, 2016, ceremony at the White House.

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