Today, App State folks are a touch melancholy as we mourn the loss of our greatest leader. Most college presidents or chancellors are stuffy, ivory tower people who keep themselves above the unwashed masses. But every once in a while a school will be blessed with someone who everyone who comes after him or her will be measured against. Ours was Dr. Ken Peacock. He started in 2004 when the previous folks in charge went out of their way to keep Appalachian under their thumb (I’m talking about about 40 years of people in Boone, not necessarily Chapel Hill). Peacock, who was the Dean of the school of business got the promotion, and at first I thought he was going to be more of the same. I couldn’t have been more wrong about a person in that position. He was truly a man of the people. I’m sure many, especially Georgia Southern folks grew tired of his sideline, we’ll call it presence (they’ll call it antics). But under his leadership is when App State became App State. We owe him a debt of gratitude and remembrance on this day. We have our founders, Mr. Yosef (who only our folks know) and Uncle Ken — our biggest advocate. Someone who wasn’t afraid to rock the boat in Raleigh and Chapel Hill to fight for what was rightfully ours. When he retired in 2014, many wanted to get “someone to put App in its place.” That hasn’t happened because we wouldn’t allow it. We got a taste of what many suspected App State could be, and we continue to fight to this day, because Dr. Peacock proved it could be done.

Godspeed, Dr. Peacock. “North Carolina’s third flagship university” will be forever in your debt.

(10-06-2023 04:04 PM)AppinVA Wrote:  Today, App State folks are a touch melancholy as we mourn the loss of our greatest leader. Most college presidents or chancellors are stuffy, ivory tower people who keep themselves above the unwashed masses. But every once in a while a school will be blessed with someone who everyone who comes after him or her will be measured against. Ours was Dr. Ken Peacock. He started in 2004 when the previous folks in charge went out of their way to keep Appalachian under their thumb (I’m talking about about 40 years of people in Boone, not necessarily Chapel Hill). Peacock, who was the Dean of the school of business got the promotion, and at first I thought he was going to be more of the same. I couldn’t have been more wrong about a person in that position. He was truly a man of the people. I’m sure many, especially Georgia Southern folks grew tired of his sideline, we’ll call it presence (they’ll call it antics). But under his leadership is when App State became App State. We owe him a debt of gratitude and remembrance on this day. We have our founders, Mr. Yosef (who only our folks know) and Uncle Ken — our biggest advocate. Someone who wasn’t afraid to rock the boat in Raleigh and Chapel Hill to fight for what was rightfully ours. When he retired in 2014, many wanted to get “someone to put App in its place.” That hasn’t happened because we wouldn’t allow it. We got a taste of what many suspected App State could be, and we continue to fight to this day, because Dr. Peacock proved it could be done.

Godspeed, Dr. Peacock. “North Carolina’s third flagship university” will be forever in your debt.

Sorry for your loss, App St.
Ours was Dr. Dwight Vines who was our president from 1976-1991 so I understand how you feel.

Totally get it....sounds like our Uncle Ron ... appreciate the summer and must have been a hell of a man

I have a lot of admiration for him just like I have it for Jerry Moore and Armanti Edwards, school affiliation aside.

I remember some criticizing him for his exuberance on the sideline during one televised game and getting the students fired up. Screw them, everyone should have a president as enthusiastic about their school's flagship sport.

Solid as a rock and proud as a Peacock. Seemed (from afar) like a cool pres to have.

He was just as good a person outside of his professional life. If he met you once he knew you forever. Peace and Blessings to the Peacock Family.

Great guy. Loved that he was into sports. Passed the national championship trophies around the student section during games. Was a nice guy anytime I ran into him.

Ken Peacock chest bumped me as I walked across the stage to get my diploma in 2007. I hung back from the student in front of me so I could make eye contact. I patted my chest to say “come on Ken, chest bump me”. His eyes lit up and he nodded and we chest bumped.

He brought the national championship trophies everywhere. He always said “One day they’ll be put up in a trophy case for good and I want every student at Appalachian to have their finger prints on these trophies”.

I absolutely adored that man and this hurts today.

After we beat Michigan the students tore the goal post down marched a mile or so up some steep terrain through town and left it in his front lawn. Don’t quote me but I think he left it there prized for a couple weeks. Just amazing.

RIP Dr. Peacock. He will definitely be missed!!


On a side note, the late Dr. Peacock reminds me of Troy's chancellor, Dr. Jack Hawkins. Dr. Hawkins did a lot for Troy, IMO

It's hard to put into words what Ken meant to Appalachian. He embodied everything you would want in a Chancellor. He made everyone he came into contact with feel as though they were the most important person in the world. Students and alumni loved the man. He was App's biggest cheerleader and advocate. Be it a lapel pin, tie, shirt or football jersey I never saw the man when he didn't have something Appalachian or Black & Gold on. He is the reason Mountaineer football is where it is today. After the first national championship I had the sports page of the Winston Salem Journal framed afor him. You would have thought I gave him a million dollars. He hung it in the foyer of the Chancellor's residence where it stayed until he retired. I have so many fond memories of him. He was a friend and he will be missed. RIP Ken. You truly Gave Your All For Appalachian.

Dr. Peacock was awesome. I was in the marching band when he was still chancellor, and he was always very enthusiastic in his support of us. I'll always remember his smile as he conducted us in the stands on game day. He really embodied the spirit of Appalachian State.