Holshouser, who now practices law in Pinehurst, received the University Award in a ceremony on the UNC-Chapel Hill campus Thursday night.
“I can take that in stride, not necessarily with a grain of salt,” Holshouser quipped on Tuesday. “At occasions like that, I am prepared for a certain amount of exaggeration. Like a former president once said, I tried not to inhale. I haven’t declared myself a saint.”
Despite his reticence about the honor, the UNC Board of Governors made it clear that Holshouser is deserving of honor for his “illustrious service in the cause of public higher education” in North Carolina.
During his term as governor from 1973 to 77, Holshouser had oversight for the consolidation of the 16-campus University of North Carolina system, in keeping with a mandate of the 1971 session of the General Assembly.
He requested the first capital funding for the community college system since its inception and presided over the creation of a veterinary school at N.C. State University and a statewide network of nine Area Health Education Centers under the auspices of UNC.
Since leaving office, Holshouser has served 25 years on the UNC Board. He led the search that resulted in the hiring of UNC President Molly Broad in 1997 and was honorary co-chairman of the successful $3.1 billion Higher Education Bond referendum campaign in 2000.
A former member of the General Assembly, Holshouser moved to Moore County to open a law practice when his term as governor ended. He served a number of years as county attorney.
He is also a former chairman of the St. Andrews Presbyterian College Board of Trustees.
Known for his wit and concern for people, Holshouser has remained active in community and political circles. He spearheaded the Elizabeth Dole for President campaign several years ago. More recently, he joined other former governors as honorary chairs of the successful Amendment One campaign.
Joining the honoree for the Chapel Hill ceremony were his wife, Pat, their daughter, Ginny Mills, and her family, and members of his Pinehurst law office staff.
Returning home, Holshouser said, he recalled for his wife the anecdotal tale about a senator who was extolled as “a great American” when receiving an honor, only to be told by his wife that there was “one less great American than you think, Big Boy.’”
He laughed and said Pat Holshouser did not bring up the subject.
Presentation of the University Award does not represent retirement from the board. Holshouser holds a lifelong appointment to the Board of Governors.
