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Our Perspective...
First year of Peacock era one to remember
Appalachian State University has a new chancellor.
On Friday, Kenneth E. Peacock was officially installed as Appalachian’s sixth chancellor.
This is a good time, then, to reflect on Peacock’s performance over the last year.
The chancellor has had an incredibly active first year, and many things have resulted from his actions.
Peacock has taken up the charge in making Appalachian more visible, criss-crossing the region with the Appalachian caravan, taking Appalachian to the alumni and prospective students.
Hundreds of alumni were reached out to for the first time and made a part of a new day at Appalachian.
Peacock has presided over a sea-change in the attitude of the administration.
The Appalachian feels the administration this year has been far more active on behalf of students. One example, when proposed federal budget cuts endangered programs like Upward Bound, Peacock immediately went to Washington, D.C., to tell Appalachian’s side of the story.
Along with this more active attitude, Peacock has fostered and encouraged Appalachian to think big in terms of the future.
However, as the future arrives, Peacock should be aware that the university faces many challenges that will still require his leadership.
The final fate of the Edmisten property remains to be decided. How he decides to use that gift to Appalachian will affect the university for years to come.
Whether or not to keep the textbook rental system still looms large as a challenge Peacock will have to overcome.
With many divergent interests and viewpoints involved, a solution will have to be reached that is best for the university as a whole.
Relations between Appalachian and the community still face many hurdles to improvement.
As the student population at Appalachian increases, more and more students live out in the town, creating new challenges with space and other issues. From the moratorium on large apartment projects to stricter rules aimed at slowing students down, the town is reacting in a variety of ways.
Peacock, as Appalachian’s representative, will have to find a way to improve relations while standing up for the university.
All in all, The Appalachian believes Peacock has had an excellent first year. We hope to see this level of performance continue in the years to come.
TO TOP
A fond farewell from the Editor-in-Chief
So this is it.
For much of the past four years, I have worked with The Appalachian, first as a staff writer, then later as senior staff writer and finally, this year, as Editor-in-Chief.
My time is done now. These are the last words of mine that will ever appear in this space.
In Spring 2001, I chose Appalachian State University over Chapel Hill. I have never looked back.
I arrived here not sure what I wanted to do for my major. English was one possibility, history and political science some others.
In September 2001 I repeatedly annoyed the then-editors of this paper into giving me a shot as a staff writer.
Two months later, I decided on my major- journalism. I have never looked back from that either.
I have a few words for certain groups and individuals in this column. Some are within The Appalachian, some without.
To The Appalachian staff
To the staff of the Appalachian- you have never ceased to amaze me. During this year you have performed extraordinary things under difficult circumstances. You have supported each other, excelled in your classes and turned out a high quality student newspaper though it all.
Without a doubt you are the hardest working student organization on campus.
Many other college newspapers rely on AP wire news stories and photos to fill out their front page. The Appalachian is entirely student-run and produced. Every story, every graphic and every photo are the product of much hard work by Appalachian students.
If one looks around the country at all the college newspapers, you will find many with larger staffs, more money, more issues a week and more color.
You will not find a single one with more heart, guts and determination.
To Brad Norman: you have shown extraordinary leadership and talent in this past year. I cannot wait to see what comes out of the paper next year under your leadership.
To Hugh Kellenberger: your honesty and brash, straight-forward style has been invaluable this past year and have no doubt gained the paper many new readers. I wish you the best of luck after graduation.
To Justin Boulmay: since the moment you joined the staff, you have been not only an excellent writer, but also the backbone of the paper, with support, kindness and humor always given when most needed. Thank you.
To Anna Oakes: your ambition, drive and writing ability will all serve you well as news editor next year. Your well-researched and powerful opinion columns have improved that section of the paper this year.
To Jonathan Williams: you have always come through with dependable, quality work no matter what.
I could go on for a while. I wish I had the space to everyone in the Appalachian for their individual accomplishments this year.
To those I have not mentioned, my apologies. You all deserve praise and recognition.
Now, I have some comments for the rest of the university.
To the students
To the students: great things are within your grasp. This is a transitional time in anyone’s life, but don’t wait until after college to start working on something you care about.
Never forget that it is the efforts of the staff that make this university possible.
Be polite to all you meet.
Tip well.
Remember that when your car breaks down, a mechanic is a genius.
Remember that, as Plato said, everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle. Behave accordingly.
Do not go the easy path and study something you think will make money. You’ll wake up one day and realize that you’ve wasted valuable years of your life.
Pick something you love and fight to make it work.
Believe that the world is yours to change but know that it will not change unless you decide to fight for it. Volunteerism is great, but there is no substitute for a politically active citizenry.
Finally, remember that this is your university, show pride accordingly and never let anyone tell you otherwise. Demand what you deserve and settle for nothing less.
To the faculty
Thank you. You have made a difference in my life and the lives of countless others. You are a credit to the university and have enriched the minds of everyone here.
Remember that you are teachers, first and foremost. Your best legacy will be in the hundreds of students whose lives you have an impact on, who go out into the world and make their mark, make a difference, because of something you taught them.
Appalachian has become extraordinary because its faculty has held to that duty quite well. How well it excels in the future depends on never forgetting that duty.
To the administration
We’ve had our disagreements over the years. Throughout all of it, however, I believe you have tried to do what you thought best for the university.
I am confident in the new message from Chancellor Kenneth E. Peacock “students first, quality in all that we do.”
I have been more impressed by the administration’s concern toward students in this year than any year previous.
If this approach is maintained, Appalachian is looking at much improved relationship between students and the administration.
To all these groups: remember that the Appalachian is here in part to be a spur to all of you to try and make a better campus. The university is far better with that force than without.
Keep that in mind the next time The Appalachian writes something you disagree with.
At the end of the day, a good newspaper finds the truth and tells others about it. Everything else, important as it may be, is secondary.
The Appalachian has always kept to that. I am confident that tradition will continue.
My time here is over.
Tomorrow belongs to you.
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