Carmichael Gymnasium was built in 1961 and the Carmichael Recreation Center added in 2007. It is named after William Donald Carmichael, a successful advertising executive and stock broker who left his... Carmichael Gymnasium was built in 1961 and the Carmichael Recreation Center added in 2007. It is named after William Donald Carmichael, a successful advertising executive and stock broker who left his career to become finance officer and vice president of the Consolidated University of North Carolina, the precursor of the UNC system. At his death in 1961, Carmichael had served there over 20 years in various functions and helped secure funds for the Burlington Engineering Laboratories.