Bill Friday was released from UNC Hospitals a hospital spokeswoman said Thursday.

The former UNC-system president had a permanent pacemaker placed May 17 at UNC Hospitals and his condition has been improving since, spokeswoman Stephanie Mahin said.

Friday is one of five people to serve as president for the modern-day UNC system, which was created in 1971 under his watch.

He was president of UNC from 1956 to 1986.

Former UNC School of Government Director John Sanders said Friday has been one of the state’s most devoted public servants. He said he has known Friday since 1948.

Friday is a long-time proponent of low tuition in higher education and supporter of recent NCAA reforms. He was a co-founding chairman of the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics in 1989 and served in that position until 2005.

Find out more about Friday’s accomplishments and contributions to higher education in North Carolina here.