After University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill Chancellor Holden Thorp announced Monday that he would step down by the end of the academic year, many, including the board of trustees and President Tom Ross tried to change his decision, but to no avail.

This Friday, it was the turn of students, who organized a huge rally requesting Thorp to stay in his position. A petition was also signed, asking Thorp to stay.

The supporters, amid shouts of "We trust you Holden Thorp," begged him to stay, but Thorp told them his decision to quit was in the best interests of the university and his family.

The rally attracted several hundred students, staff and faculty, who gathered on the lawn of UNC's administration building just before noon to convince Thorp one last time to stay.

The last two years have been tough for Thorp, who assumed the chair in 2008, with the scandal involving the athletes and faculty taking a toll on the state's flagship university's overall strength.

"As I understand it, Chancellor Thorp wants to step down because he's tired and worn out," said student body president Will Leimenstoll to Charlotte Observer.

"He's borne the brunt of the scandals of the past two years, constantly taking criticism from all directions on every move he makes. I don't think he's tired because he's sick of serving the students, faculty or staff here," he said.

Many who attended the rally share Leimenstoll's view. They were extremely appreciative of the way he handled the crisis. He complemented affordability with academic excellence, they say. Everyone, from student to groundskeeper, had at least one nice thing to say about the chancellor who stood by them and took tough calls.

Not only the students and faculty, but the mayors from Chapel Hill and Carrboro, too, attended the rally to express their support for Thorp.

Chapel Hill Mayor Mark Kleinschmidt and Carrboro Mayor Mark Chilton, who also happen to be UNC alumni, spoke during the rally, praising the chancellor for repairing the damaged town/gown relations.

Thorp has pledged to reform the current policies in his remaining nine months tenure so that the irregularities he had to face during his reign will not repeated.

University leaders are expected to begin a search for his successor sometime next week.

After a research leave, Thorp will return as a faculty member in the Chemistry Department.