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John Bethune | The
Rhododendron
|
by Justin Boulmay
Senior Staff Writer
Today is a new day.
Chancellor Kenneth E. Peacock was installed into office Friday, exactly 294 days after assuming the chancellorship July 1, 2004.
 | Jonathan Williams | The Appalachian
The chancellor's wife, sons and mother sit in the front row of the Installation ceremony Friday. |
“This
has been an incredible week for me and [my wife] Rosanne, and for my
entire family, as we have prepared for this day – although I don’t know
if one could ever truly prepare for this,” Peacock said.
The
Installation ceremony lasted approximately two-and-a-half hours.
Students, faculty and staff of Appalachian State University, as well as
university officials and legislators from across the state, all
gathered in Holmes Convocation Center.
Flags
representing various countries hung from the ceiling. Academic banners
representing different departments at Appalachian served as the stage
backdrop, with delegates sitting in front of them.
The
ceremony involved several speeches, each lauding Peacock and
Appalachian. Among the speakers were University of North Carolina
President Molly C. Broad, Board of Governors Chair J. Bradley Wilson
and former North Carolina Governor James B. Hunt, Jr.
Faculty Senate Chair Dr. Michael J. Moore and Student Government Association President Miriam N. Makhyoun also gave speeches.
“As
I was preparing to leave … my staff asked if I wanted to know what the
weather will be,” North Carolina State Treasurer Richard H. Moore said
in his address. “I said nope, I’m going to be with Ken Peacock, and you
know what that means: it’s going to be hot.”
Appalachian
Alumni President William L. Brown, Sr., commended Peacock in not
straying from his motto, “Students first, Quality in all.”
 | Michael Morel | The Appalachian
Members of the Appalachian Dance Ensemble performed at the Installation celebration at the Turchin Center Monday night. |
“Dr. Peacock has not wavered from that commitment,” Brown said.
After taking the oath of office and being presented with the medallion and mace, Peacock addressed the crowd.
“When
I was growing up in Rocky Mount, my dreams were to drive a fire truck,
be tall and distinguished with thick gray hair and be a golfer good
enough that people would ask to be my caddy,” he said in his speech.
“Well, none of those things happened.”
Peacock
described the time as a “new day” for Appalachian, and described his
vision for what that day might look like, including cooperation with
community colleges, addressing affordable student housing and academic
initiatives with viticulture and health care.
Peacock
also hinted at building a new Appalachian loft overseas. Some of his
ideas as to where it could be located are Germany, Mexico, Poland or
China. 
| Michael Morel | The Appalachian
Franya Hutchins performs "Appalachian Concerto" with the Appalachian Orchestra Wednesday. |
A celebration gala was held later that evening for members of the Appalachian community.
The
ceremony was the finale of a weeklong series of events that included
student, faculty and staff appreciation luncheons, a concert and a
number retirement ceremony for former Appalachian State athletes.
The
hunt for a new chancellor began in fall 2004 after former Chancellor
Francis T. Borkowski resigned that June. A search committee was formed
and was charged with finding three candidates suitable for the
chancellorship and then sending those recommendations to Broad.
Broad announced her choice to the BOG Feb. 14, 2004. Peacock assumed office July 1 with an annual salary of $210,000.
“It
is the dawning of a new day,” Peacock said to the crowd. “Let us,
together, reawaken that pioneer spirit, that mountaineer spirit that
made this institution the great university it is today. We are ready.
Let the day begin.”
| Peter Larkins | Chief Photographer
Installation ceremonies
concluded Saturday with a reunion performance by the Steely Pan steel
band in Farthing Auditorium. |
| Trey Allman | The Appalachian
A chocolate fountain was one of the
highlights during the Installation Gala Friday evening in the Holmes
Convocation Center. |
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