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UNC's Friday remains in critical condition after receiving pacemaker

Former University of North Carolina System President William Friday remains in critical condition two days after being admitted to UNC Hospitals, but he has improved after receiving a permanent pacemaker Thursday, a hospital spokeswoman said.

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Former UNC President William Friday
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Former University of North Carolina System President William Friday remains in critical condition two days after being admitted to UNC Hospitals, but he has improved after receiving a permanent pacemaker on Thursday, a hospital spokeswoman said Friday morning.

No other details about Friday's health were available. 

In 2009, Friday had a heart valve replaced two months after suffering a mild heart attack. 

Since retiring from his position at the head of the UNC system in 1986, Friday has stayed busy with his UNC-TV interview show, "North Carolina People."

In January, Friday weighed in on the tuition debate, saying that he would prefer that the system's 16 university campuses make the needed cuts to staff and program to avoid the hefty tuition increases they have proposed.

Friday led the UNC system for 30 years, a period that included desegregation, challenges to free speech and the creation of a 16-campus state university system.

Enrollment began to surge during his tenure, setting the stage for major expansions and battles over tuition increases in the years since he retired.

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