Your student newspaper
THE APPALACHIAN TheAppalachianOnline.com
PEACOCK STEPS DOWN Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Vol. 87, No. 44
Michael Bragg | The Appalachian
Chancellor Kenneth Peacock announced his decision to step down as chancellor Thursday. Peacock said he will stay in his current position until a successor is appointed and announced. by STEPHANIE SANSOUCY
Community reacts to Peacock’s decision
Senior News Reporter
Chancellor Kenneth Peacock announced Thursday that after nine years as chancellor of Appalachian State University, he is stepping down from his position. “The chancellor’s decision was made by him, with his family after thoughtful and considerable personal deliberation,” according to an email from The Board of Trustees of Appalachian. The chancellor will continue in his current position until a successor is identified and hired. During this transition, the Board of Trustees will support the chancellor and his leadership cabinet and will work with the Appalachian community and the UNC system to launch a comprehensive search process for the chancellor’s successor. President of the UNC system Thomas Ross said the search could take until the end of the next academic year, bringing Peacock’s term as chancellor to 10 years. A search committee will be formed within the next couple of weeks, and the search for the next chancellor will take place this summer and next fall as well, Ross said. There will be an open national search, and Ross is confident it will attract a lot of great people, he said. Ross said he is sad to see Peacock go and that he will be hard to replace. Peacock on leaving “All good things must
by JOSHUA FARMER News Editor
by CHELSEY FISHER Managing Editor
After Chancellor Kenneth Peacock announced that he would be stepping down upon the appointment of his replacement, student reactions seemed sad but respectful. SGA President Jake Cox said that he was sincerely disappointed to hear the news about Peacock stepping down. “To lose such a great leader and such a great friend is difficult, but I understand and have the deepest respect for his decision,” Cox said. “I am sad that we are losing such a great leader and friend. I know that his ultimate happiness is what brings us peace. What speaks volumes to me is that every student has expressed a
Justin Perry | The Appalachian
Chancellor Kenneth Peacock came to Appalachian State University in 1983 and was appointed to the position of chancellor in 2004.
come to an end, you just don’t know when, but they must all come to an end,” Peacock said. While making the decision to step down, Peacock considered the 10-year plan to expand the university, the Strategic Plan that has been developed, the SACS accreditation being completed and the fact that it is close to the end of the comprehensive campaign, he said. With these factors, com-
bined with his personal reasons, Peacock said he realized that “this is probably the time.” “My son said to me, ‘When is it our turn?’” Peacock said. “This is a job that requires [a lot], it’s all day, every day. There’s no such things as holidays, there’s no such things as vacations.” But Peacock said he has
see Peacock page 2
sadness but also a sense of pride in this announcement.” Freshman SGA senator Chris Maples said he hadn’t gotten to know Peacock well, and knew his legacy through what he had heard from others. “I just hope they can find someone to replace him with as much fortitude,” Maples said. Mayor of Boone Loretta Clawson worked closely with Peacock concerning students. “I was surprised when I read that Chancellor Peacock was stepping down,” Clawson said. Clawson also said she hoped that the community might have some input in
see Community page 2
Athletics responds to Peacock stepping down as ‘a shocker’ by ANDREW CLAUSEN Sports Editor
With the recent announcement that Chancellor Kenneth Peacock would be stepping down following the appointment of a successor, students and staff found themselves shocked by the news. And Athletics was no exception. Athletic Director Charlie Cobb said that no one embodied the “Appalachian Spirit better” than the chancellor. “Dr. Ken Peacock’s announcement that he is
stepping down as Appalachian State University’s chancellor came as a big shock to the entire campus,” Cobb said. “He is committed to Appalachian being its best in all endeavors. His leadership will be missed but, thankfully, that will not be immediately.” Peacock has been very involved with athletics, from attending games to announcing the move from the Southern Conference to the Sun Belt. Head coach of the football team Scott Satterfield said he was shocked when he received a phone call
bearing the news. “I said, ‘let me find out, make a phone call’ and I got on Twitter and saw somebody had put [the news] on there,” Satterfield said. “It was kind of shocking. In his nine years here, he’s done an unbelievable job. He’s really grown the university and really supported us athletically. We understand it goes handin-hand.” It’s been a busy year for both Satterfield and Peacock.
see Athletes page 7
ON THE WEB Follow our blogs at TheAppalachianOnline.com/blogs Health & Nutrition Find out how you can live a better, healthier lifestyle with The Appalachian’s latest blog.
Photo Gallery Check out the Futurebirds concert photo gallery on theappalachianonline.com
Follow us on our social media accounts: @theappalachian facebook.com/theappalachian