Chancellor Kenneth E. Peacock
A native of Rocky Mount, Chancellor Kenneth E. Peacock loves North Carolina and its people. He delights in the opportunity to honor fellow citizens by sharing their life stories with a broader audience. From successful entrepreneurs to intriguing alumni, distinctive faculty researchers and important state leaders, Appalachian Perspective spotlights North Carolina's best citizens.
A tireless advocate of higher education, Chancellor Peacock also raises the visibility of Appalachian's quality programs and visionary plans beyond campus boundaries.
"I am honored to meet and interview these leaders. The greatest challenge of Appalachian Perspective is keeping the dialogue to 30 minutes," Chancellor Peacock says.
Chancellor Peacock is a 1970 graduate of Mars Hill College. He worked with the accounting firm Price Waterhouse & Co. in the Winston-Salem and Charlotte offices before pursuing graduate studies in accounting. He earned both his master's and doctoral degrees from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Chancellor Peacock taught at the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville from 1980-83, then joined the faculty in Appalachian's Walker College of Business, teaching accounting and taxation. In 1987, he was named assistant dean with the primary responsibility for international programs and external initiatives of the college and was appointed associate dean in 1989. He was named dean of the college in 1992, a position he held until 2003.
After serving as Appalachian's interim provost for the 2003-04 fiscal year, Dr. Peacock was appointed chancellor of Appalachian State University by the UNC Board of Governors.
He and his wife, Rosanne, have two adult sons, Chris and Brian. In his civic/community involvement, Chancellor Peacock serves on the Investment Advisory Committee for the AACSB-International, the Watauga Medical Center Foundation Board of Directors, and the Grandfather Home for Children Board of Directors. In 1995, Dr. Peacock was appointed by Gov. Jim Hunt to participate in the inaugural program of Leadership North Carolina.
