Watch the grand opening ceremony being streamed live here at 10 a.m. Nov. 7.
Bell Hall opens for classes in the spring 2026 semester.
Named in honor of Steven D. Bell (BA ’67), this transformative space will enable us to admit 50% more Carolina students to the Undergraduate Business Program – over 500 majors per year – for the 2026-2027 academic year. It also increases our classrooms by 65% and new collaborative spaces will enhance student life and community engagement.
Designed with sustainability in mind and inspired by the natural environment, Bell Hall will feature state-of-the-art classrooms, a 40-seat outdoor tiered teaching area, a four-story central atrium surrounded by collaboration and study spaces, plus meeting rooms, event venues, dining facilities and outdoor terraces.
Join us at the Bell Hall Grand Opening Celebration, November 6-8, to celebrate this milestone together.
On November 6, attend the Weatherspoon Lecture featuring keynote speaker Jason Kilar (ABJM, BSBA ’93), followed by a reception and a sneak peek of the new building.
On November 7, enjoy a breakfast buffet, dedication ceremonies and an open house to explore Bell Hall and its innovative spaces. Return on November 8 for a tailgate before the big game.
Registration for the Steven D. Bell Hall Grand Opening Celebration is now closed. Please contact KFBSRSVP@kenan-flagler.unc.edu for questions or assistance.
Schedule of Events
Thursday, November 6 | Weatherspoon Lecture and Preview Reception of Bell Hall
6 p.m. Weatherspoon Lecture featuring Jason Kilar, Koury Auditorium
Hear from UNC alumnus and trailblazing media executive Jason Kilar as he shares lessons in leadership and innovation.
Kilar is a technology and media executive/entrepreneur that has invested his career in the creation, building and scaling of companies that obsess over customers. He was the founding CEO of Hulu, a senior executive at Amazon during its earliest years as a public company, and was the CEO of WarnerMedia (now called Warner Bros Discovery). Kilar began his career with The Walt Disney Company and was also co-founder/CEO of the online video service Vessel (which was acquired by Verizon). He is currently – and quietly – building a new company with a number of his colleagues that comprised Hulu’s founding team. Kilar serves on the boards of directors of Roblox and Wealthfront and philanthropically serves as a trustee for Lick-Wilmerding School in San Francisco. He is a graduate of both UNC-Chapel Hill and Harvard Business School. More important than any of the above, Kilar is lucky to be married to his wife, Jamie, for 28 years and counting. They are doing the best they can raising four good kids.
7 p.m. Bell Hall Preview Reception
Be among the first to experience Bell Hall with an exclusive preview featuring gourmet bites, refreshments and dynamic performances by talented UNC students, celebrating the spirit and creativity of our community.
Friday, November 7 | Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, Donor Recognition, Open House, Dedications
8:30 a.m. Breakfast Buffet
10 a.m. Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Steven D. Bell Hall
Celebrate the opening of Steven D. Bell Hall featuring the UNC Marching Tar Heels.
Watch live here.
11:30 a.m. Lunch
12:45 p.m. Donor Recognition
1 p.m. Open House
Discover how our spaces empower students, faculty and the business community.
1:45 p.m. Leonard W. Wood Center Dedication
Celebrate the Leonard W. Wood Center’s new home in Bell Hall.
2 p.m. The High Classroom Dedication
2:15 p.m. The David Hartzell Classroom Recognition
Saturday, November 8 | UNC Kenan-Flagler Alumni Tailgate for UNC v. Stanford Football Game
UNC Kenan-Flagler alumni and guests are invited to join us to tailgate for the UNC v. Stanford homecoming football game! The tailgate will start two hours before kick-off and will be located on the terrace of Steven D. Bell Hall. Alumni can look forward to food, beverages, music and connecting with other alumni.
Special Thanks
The arts are an essential part of student life at UNC, reaching across undergraduate and graduate academic programs, student extracurricular life, and in the relationships that students form in our Chapel Hill and greater Triangle communities. Carolina students are musicians, poets, dancers, painters, and so much more. Special thanks to the UNC Department of Music and their faculty and students for infusing the opening of Bell Hall with their artistry and innovation. There’s no business like show business! Hark the Sound!
Parking Information
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6
Weatherspoon Lecture (6-7 p.m., Koury Auditorium) & Preview Reception (7-9 p.m., Bell Hall)
Visitor’s Lot – Intersection of Mason Farm Rd and Otey’s Rd
- This lot is reserved for UNC Kenan-Flagler and Kenan Institute boards and councils, and select vendors
- After parking, take the sidewalk between the two buildings. Koury Auditorium will be to the right. Bell Hall is straight ahead, past the McColl Building (on the left), across the connector bridge.
Reserved Parking
- 30-minute parking spaces on the McColl circular drive are reserved. Attendees assigned to these spaces go through the Visitor’s Lot, exit right, and follow the circular drive just past the Kenan Center and proceed to their coned space on the left.
Business School Parking Deck – Use north entrance at 175 William Blythe Road
- Primary event parking
- After parking, attendees take elevators to the 6th floor. Follow signs across the Bell Hall connector bridge, past the McColl Building to Koury Auditorium (near fountains) for the Weatherspoon Lecture or cross the Bell Hall connector bridge and enter Bell Hall to the right for the preview reception.
- Overflow parking in Ram’s Head Deck
Ram’s Head Deck – 33 Ridge Rd – A small fee will be required
- It is a 10–13-minute walk from Ram’s Head Deck to the Business School campus
- Exit Ram’s Head Deck from the bottom level, turn right onto Ridge Road, continue straight, cross the intersection, and proceed down Skipper Bowles Drive.
- Take the stairs to the right of the Dean E. Smith Center to access Koury Auditorium for the Weatherspoon Lecture or turn right onto William Blythe Drive for the preview reception—Bell Hall will be on your left.
Drop-Off Instructions
- Enter through the Visitor’s Lot, exit right, and follow the circular drive just past the Kenan Center in front of the McColl Building.
- No parking in this area—drop-off only
- Once on foot, follow the sidewalk to the left towards Koury Auditorium, or forward and to the right towards Bell Hall.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7 — Steven D. Bell Hall Grand Opening
Business School Parking Deck – Use north entrance at 175 William Blythe Road
- Primary event parking. Note: Event ends by 3pm. All cars need to be moved from the deck by 5pm for the UNC v. Kansas basketball game.
- After parking, from the right side of the deck near William Blythe Drive, go to Level 4 (via ramp from 3rd floor or by stairs), exit the deck to the left with caution and enter Bell Hall’s main lobby.
- For attendees unable to take stairs, take elevators to the 6th floor. Follow signs across the Bell Hall connector bridge and enter Bell Hall to the right.
- Overflow parking in Ram’s Head Deck
Ram’s Head Deck – 33 Ridge Rd – A small fee will be required
- 10-13 minute walk from Ram’s Head Deck to Bell Hall
- Exit Ram’s Head Deck from the bottom level, turn right onto Ridge Road, continue straight, cross the intersection, and proceed down Skipper Bowles Drive. Turn right onto William Blythe Drive—Bell Hall will be on your left.
Visitor’s Lot
- Closed to all event parking – Used for authorized deliveries or emergencies only
Passenger Drop-Off Instructions
- Passengers should be dropped off on William Blythe Drive in front of Bell Hall.
- Vehicles should pull up to the main entrance, drop passengers, and continue forward to exit.
- No parking or idling at the entrance please