An exceptional talent at Carolina
I met Holden Thorp just over a year ago at a Phillips Ambassadors program on the Carolina campus. We chatted for about five minutes, barely enough time for me to figure out that he was someone very important.
The rather obvious clue was when he told me he was getting ready to become the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
It might be remarkable that Thorp hasn't been a chancellor or college president before winning the big job at Carolina. But he's run the College of Arts and Sciences, and that by itself is bigger than most universities.
Thorp struck me as friendly and down to earth, maybe a bit reserved. He doesn't seem like the charismatic politician type some colleges and universities choose because, well, the position can demand political skills.
Reading his list of accomplishments, though, I get the idea there's not much this guy can't do. Scholar, distinguished professor, researcher, innovator, entrepreneur, administrator. He's excelled at eveything. Maybe he can try his hand at coaching the football team.
And he's only 43. He may bring to the chancellor's office what Dean Smith established for the basketball program: consistent, long-term excellence.
Maybe the best part: Thorp is a Tar Heel head to toe. He's come up through the ranks. It's about time local talent was recognized.
At the same time, his appointment doesn't look like homeboy favoritism. Any university would love to have a star like Thorp on its campus. Carolina made sure no one else will get him.
Sure, one leader doesn't make or break a university. But a great university deserves outstanding leadership. Thorp has to prove himself, but the fact that he's proven himself extraordinarily well at every step of his career so far is most encouraging.