William C. Friday served as President of the University of North Carolina from 1956-86 and developed it into a 16 campus system and a national model. Respected nationwide for his compassion, vision, leadership and integrity, he was born July 13, 1920 to Lathan and Beth Friday, graduated from Dallas school, NC State and UNC Law School, married Ida Howell in 1942, served in the US Navy from 1942-46, and was honored when the NC Senate created the WC Friday Institute for Leadership in 2004.