Fulfilling a Commitment, Getting a Degree

Carolina alumnus RC Orlan ’19 had always dreamed of playing professional baseball — but he chose his college education first.

Despite being drafted immediately after high school, Orlan decided to enroll at Carolina to set him up for greater success both on the field and in the classroom. After playing baseball as a student-athlete at Carolina for three years, Orlan left to go play in the minor leagues for the Washington Nationals. 

Before he left, though, he promised his coaches he would eventually come back to Chapel Hill to finish out his degree. Thanks to the Complete Carolina Program, which helps student-athletes who turn pro before graduating return to Chapel Hill to earn their degrees, Orlan fulfilled his commitment and graduated from Carolina.

“I guess I look back over a 10-year timeline now — being able to go to the school that I wanted to, playing in the College World Series and pitching twice there,” Orlan said. “I met my wife here. I got to play professional baseball for almost seven years. I’m a Tar Heel, and I’m forever thankful for the opportunities it’s given me.”

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