Volume 1 | Issue 2
Summer 2009


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Chancellor's Message


Reaching ‘every great issue in the world’


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Chancellor Holden Thorp

What a year. The Thorp family has been on an amazing journey since May 8, 2008, when Erskine Bowles asked the Board of Governors to elect me as the 10th chancellor of Carolina. For our family, the big events have been the grandeur of installation weekend, moving to the chancellor's residence at Quail Hill and — of course — celebrating on the floor in Detroit.
 
For me, there has been much, much more. First and foremost has been seeing the extraordinary breadth and quality of our great university. You would think that someone who lived more than half his life in Chapel Hill, went to college here and served in as many roles as I have would know the place. But there are so many parts that I have had the privilege to learn only this year. We truly reach every great issue in the world. Health care, K-12 education, international and domestic human relations, the list goes on. And on each of these great problems we have energetic faculty and students supported by committed staff — all working to make the world better.
 
The second thing has been to see the love that folks have for our university. All over North Carolina and the U.S., I've seen the devotion that our alumni and friends have to Carolina. In their generosity, of course, but also in the way they speak of our special place and their appreciation for the work we do. It is truly heartening to go into a Smithfield's BBQ in Harnett County and have someone stop to thank me. 

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Coach Roy Williams and the Tar Heels meet President Obama.

Courtesy of UNC Athletics

Of course, one of the biggest issues of my first year has been preparing the campus to cope with economic challenges. We have had to make cuts this year and in next year’s budget due to reduced state budget allocations. That means that expendable gifts are more important than ever and will be critical in keeping Carolina great in the coming years.
 
The personal milestones are many. Singing the alma mater with Erskine Bowles and Patti at the installation. Singing Carolina In My Mind with the Clef Hangers at commencement. Calling our Rhodes Scholars on the day they got the news. But sitting on the White House lawn while the President of the United States gave a heartfelt testimonial to the success of Carolina in academics and athletics was probably the top.

Hark the Sound.

Holden