UNC’s Holden Thorp steps out of the spotlight Posted May 20, 2013 Holden Thorp is winding down his time as chancellor at UNC. It wasn’t supposed to end this soon for the chemist and entrepreneur who rapidly ascended from professor to department chairman to dean and, in 2008, chancellor – at the age of 43. In a recent interview, Thorp said he wished he had watched “Friday Night Lights” five years ago. An education about athletics would’ve come in handy. (Raleigh News & Observer)