CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chancellor Holden Thorp is leaving his undergraduate alma mater to become the chief academic officer of Washington University in St. Louis.
Thorp, who led the country's oldest public university for four years, said in an email Monday to the university community that he'll step down at the end of the academic year in June for a new job that will allow him to teach and do research while serving as the school's provost. Thorp, 48, announced in September that he would be leaving after two years of scandals involving academic fraud, improper travel spending by fundraisers, and special treatment for athletes.
"For more than two years, there is no question that we have faced some of the most difficult issues to come before the university in decades," Thorp said. "We have met those challenges head on and put much-needed reforms in place. It's been painful, but we've become a better university as a result."
He will succeed Edward Macias, the chief academic officer of Washington University for 25 years. Chancellor Mark Wrighton has headed the private, liberal arts school for 17 years and is a former chemistry professor like Thorp.