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New UNC-CH chancellor starts job
Holden Thorp, 43, is among the youngest U.S. university leaders
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Published: July 2, 2008
CHAPEL HILL
The new chancellor at UNC Chapel Hill started his first day on the job yesterday with an early breakfast with students.
Holden Thorp said he was inspired that students in Chapel Hill would turn out so early on a summer morning to welcome him to work. He admits, too, that he is still something of a student with a lot to learn about the entire university.
As students mingled and ate the spread of breads and fruit, Thorp made his way around to the group of about 60 who represented student government, athletics, student life, research and undergraduate and graduate schools.
The student-body president, J.J. Raynor, said that the student turnout was better than expected for the 7:30 breakfast, in part because the students are interested in connecting with Thorp.
"People are so excited," Raynor said. "The day of his announcement, my phone almost broke, full of text messages with people like ‘Thorp! Awesome!'"
At age 43, Thorp is among the youngest university leaders in the country. A former chemistry professor, he graduated from the university 20 years ago and has spent much of his career there, most recently as the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
Raynor said she sees Thorp's experience and youth as advantages in bridging gaps that may come.
"We're going to be losing so many older faculty as the baby boomers start to retire and that's kind of an opportunity to bring in a younger generation of faculty and scholars," Raynor said.
On Thorp's first day, a Chapel Hill woman set up a scholarship that allows creative-writing students to study with active writers. Sallie Shuping Russell's gave $666,000 and a grant brought the total value to $1 million.
The scholarship will allow active writers to hold a distinguished visiting professorship within the creative- writing program. Starting in the fall of 2009, five to six writers will participate in the course, "Living Writers."
The student president of the law school, Matt Modell, said that Thorp's breakfast meeting sends the message that students are priority.
"He'll be an inspirational leader for students as well as for faculty, researchers and alumni," Modell said.
Thorp said that his goals are "to move forward with the city of Chapel Hill, make sure we create an education environment for students, and for staff and faculty, making sure this is the best place for them to do what they do."
Thorp replaces James Moeser, who stepped down after eight years as chancellor.
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