Holden Thorp, University of North Carolina's new chancellor, met with student leaders for his first day on the job, saying he looks forward to the challenges ahead.

Thorp made the rounds with dozens of students on UNC's campus bright and early on Tuesday. The idea was for him to get to know them better and vice versa. But really, most students already do know him.

"It's so weird, I have to start thinking of calling him 'Chancellor", not 'Holden'," said J.J.Raynor, UNC's student body president. "That's been an awkward transition."

"People know his face," said Keegan Mueller, a UNC wrestler. "He's not just coming in and joining a family he's never met before."

The 43-year-old Fayetteville native is taking over for outgoing Chancellor James Moeser. Thorp graduated from UNC 20 years ago and has spent much of his career there. He was most recently the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. But even though Thorp has been at UNC for decades, he said there's plenty to learn.

"There are a lot of things that go on here and nationally and are really important to the people of North Carolina and nationally," he said. "I need to be an expert on all that."

Thorp said he looks forward to working with Chapel Hill town leaders and building relationships with the faculty and students to move the university forward.

"Creating an educational environment and content that is relevant for our students as they come into this extraordinary global marketplace," he said.

And as the newest member to the Carolina family, it only seemed fitting that the students wanted to make sure Thorp felt right at home. They presented him with a Tar Heel blue backpack and just in case he needs it, there's a bottle of Aleve and Tums.

Although today is technically Thorp's first day as chancellor, it will be made official on October 21, which is UNC's University Day.