Chancellor Holden Thorp had a hectic first few days on the job, huddling with faculty members, convening his inaugural meeting with the chancellor’s cabinet, having breakfast with student leaders and picking up the key to South Building from his predecessor.

On Wednesday, his schedule took him off campus and onto Franklin Street for lunch with Chapel Hill Mayor Kevin Foy at Sutton’s Drug Store.

While waiting for his lunch date to arrive, Thorp took in the street scene and received a number of hearty congratulations.

He reports that he’s moved into his office, but that he and the family plan to take their time moving out of their Carrboro home and into the chancellor’s quarters. He also reports no lack of Carolina Blue ties, which seem to be a popular gift to give a new chancellor.

Longtime Sutton’s pharmacist John Woodard popped out to shake his hand and told the new chancellor that his appointment was a rarity in the town.

“First time we’ve ever had a search [for a chancellor] where everybody’s happy,” he said.

Thorp smiled and told Woodard he’ll do his best not to mess that up. — Kirk Ross

Whether you check the box on the census form indicating you’ve done post-doc work or dropped out of high school and went into a trade, the importance of a good education for your children is a shared value in this community.

Parents here are passionate about their kids’ education, which makes the schools a focal point of interest and scrutiny. For the most part, the district does a good job of keeping parents and students informed. But there’s been a troubling lack of communication regarding the major changes at Carrboro High School, where the reassignment of Jeff Thomas, the school’s inaugural principal, was announced via a terse email to the media. More »

Editor’s note: following are letters to the Carolina community from former Chancellor James Moeser and his successor, Holden Thorp.

Out with the old
Dear Members of the Carolina Faculty and Staff:

As the curtain is about to close on my tenure as chancellor, one of my hardest tasks is to find a suitable way to acknowledge all of the good wishes and thoughtful observations that so many of you have shared with me about the last eight years. More »