Margo Gray

When Thorpe wasn't busy cheering on the Tar Heels, he was likely either playing jazz or working in the chemistry lab.

When Thorpe wasn't busy cheering on the Tar Heels, he was likely either playing jazz or working in the chemistry lab.

When Thorpe wasn't busy cheering on the Tar Heels, he was likely either playing jazz or working in the chemistry lab.

And so began Thorpe's lifetime in academia. He earned a doctorate in chemistry from Caltech and completed his postdoctoral work at Yale. His first teaching position was at NC State University, but it didn't take long before he was back at his alma mater. In 1993, Thorpe returned to UNC, where he quickly rose from visiting assistant professor to tenured professor.

And so began Thorpe's lifetime in academia. He earned a doctorate in chemistry from Caltech and completed his postdoctoral work at Yale. His first teaching position was at NC State University, but it didn't take long before he was back at his alma mater. In 1993, Thorpe returned to UNC, where he quickly rose from visiting assistant professor to tenured professor.

And so began Thorpe's lifetime in academia. He earned a doctorate in chemistry from Caltech and completed his postdoctoral work at Yale. His first teaching position was at NC State University, but it didn't take long before he was back at his alma mater. In 1993, Thorpe returned to UNC, where he quickly rose from visiting assistant professor to tenured professor.

In addition to being promoted within the chemistry department, you're very quickly topped for all sorts of administrative roles outside the chemistry lab. Director of the planetarium, chemistry department chair, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Why do you think you were seen as a good fit for these roles?

In addition to being promoted within the chemistry department, you're very quickly topped for all sorts of administrative roles outside the chemistry lab. Director of the planetarium, chemistry department chair, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Why do you think you were seen as a good fit for these roles?

In addition to being promoted within the chemistry department, you're very quickly topped for all sorts of administrative roles outside the chemistry lab. Director of the planetarium, chemistry department chair, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Why do you think you were seen as a good fit for these roles?

In 2007, when the role of chancellor opened up, the UNC Board of Trustees quickly singled out Thorpe as a top candidate. The chancellor is the highest-ranking official at the university, essentially combining the roles of CEO, community leader, and athletic director all in one. At the time of your interview, you were serving as dean, which is a role that's really focused on overseeing academics.

In 2007, when the role of chancellor opened up, the UNC Board of Trustees quickly singled out Thorpe as a top candidate. The chancellor is the highest-ranking official at the university, essentially combining the roles of CEO, community leader, and athletic director all in one. At the time of your interview, you were serving as dean, which is a role that's really focused on overseeing academics.

In 2007, when the role of chancellor opened up, the UNC Board of Trustees quickly singled out Thorpe as a top candidate. The chancellor is the highest-ranking official at the university, essentially combining the roles of CEO, community leader, and athletic director all in one. At the time of your interview, you were serving as dean, which is a role that's really focused on overseeing academics.

But university chancellor, on the other hand, oversees all aspects of the institution, including athletics. I'm curious how much athletics came up during your interviews.

But university chancellor, on the other hand, oversees all aspects of the institution, including athletics. I'm curious how much athletics came up during your interviews.

But university chancellor, on the other hand, oversees all aspects of the institution, including athletics. I'm curious how much athletics came up during your interviews.

And at the time, what did you know about the inner workings of the athletic department?

And at the time, what did you know about the inner workings of the athletic department?

And at the time, what did you know about the inner workings of the athletic department?

UNC hadn't dealt with the sports scandal in decades. Its record with the NCAA was spotless. So when it came time to select a new chancellor, no one saw the need to prioritize experience in athletics. Besides, whatever Holden Thorpe lacked in that area, he more than made up for elsewhere.

UNC hadn't dealt with the sports scandal in decades. Its record with the NCAA was spotless. So when it came time to select a new chancellor, no one saw the need to prioritize experience in athletics. Besides, whatever Holden Thorpe lacked in that area, he more than made up for elsewhere.