Cornelia Phillips Spencer

In 1826, James Phillips took a post as a mathematics professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Spencer and her daughter returned to Chapel Hill after her husband's death in 1861, where she began her first book and wrote about the university for local newspapers.

[1][2] After Reconstruction, she similarly urged the school's reopening and, on March 20, 1875, Spencer climbed to the roof of the South Building and rang its bell to celebrate.

She contributed to the university by writing hymns for special occasions, organizing community events and keeping the alumni records.

As part of the university's bicentennial activities, the Cornelia Phillips Spencer Bell Award was established.