Chapel Hill, N.C. — University of North Carolina President Emeritus William Friday is recovering at home, a week after surgery to implant a pacemaker, his family said Thursday.

The family extended thanks to well-wishers, and asked that calls and visits to the 91-year-old be limited as he faces "an extended period of rehabilitation toward a full recovery."

Friday was president of UNC for 30 years, leading the school through integration, the sponsorship of the state education network and its growth into a 16-campus university system. He also helped with the formation of the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Since retiring in 1986, Friday has pushed to keep college affordable and supported programs to reduce poverty and illiteracy. He also has a television show, and he taped his UNC-TV program "North Carolina People" earlier this month.

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