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Thorp to leave Carolina after three decades of campus connections

Holden Thorp, Carolina’s 10th chancellor, will leave office in June 2013. He has invested three decades of his life at the University, starting as an undergraduate student. He’s taught chemistry, directed the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center and served as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences before becoming chancellor in 2008. Through his research, Thorp developed technology for electronic DNA chips and founded spin-off companies.

Since Thorp took office five years ago, Carolina has enhanced its standing as one of the most influential research universities in the United States and around the world.

Thorp announced in September that he planned to step down. He will become provost of Washington University in St. Louis on July 1, 2013 and hold an endowed professorship with appointments in chemistry and medicine.

• Message from Chancellor Thorp, February 18th, 2013
• Thorp announces plans to step down as chancellor, September 17, 2012
• Message to the campus community, September 17, 2012
• Read more about the search for the next Chancellor

I will always love Carolina. This University and this community have been my home for more than 25 years, and have meant more to me personally and professionally than I can measure or describe.
– Holden Thorp