 Rosanne Peacock stands in the Appalachian House Saturday afternoon. The Peacocks host several dinners per week for students, staff and important visitors. Photo by Holt Menzies | The Appalachian No, she is not Wonder Woman – she is the first lady of Appalachian State University.
Rosanne B. Peacock, wife of Chancellor Kenneth E. Peacock, grew up in Winston-Salem before moving to Greenville to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts in interior design at East Carolina University.
She was introduced to Kenneth in 1973 at a church in Winston-Salem where she sang in the choir and he performed as a substitute organist.
Considering both were dating other people at the time, neither pursued a relationship with the other.
After their prior relationships ended, the two dated before marrying in June of 1975.
“It was an instant attraction once we began to know each other a little bit,” Kenneth said. “She was a very artistic, talented person and she enjoyed having a good time.”
The couple moved to Baton Rouge, La. while Kenneth attended graduate school at Louisiana State University.
While in Louisiana, the couple had their first child, Chris, and moved into a Catholic church where they worked as custodians.
“It was a challenging time, but we also look back and [realize] it was a great time for us,” Kenneth said.
Rosanne also worked at a large florist, utilizing her art talent to become one of seven design panelists for Louisiana.
The panelists were responsible for introducing innovative ideas to interior designers throughout the state.
The Peacocks later moved to Charlottesville, Va., where Kenneth taught accounting classes at the University of Virginia.
Rosanne started her own floral business while in Virginia, eventually giving birth to her second son, Brian.
The family relocated to Boone in July of 1983 when Kenneth began teaching accounting before his stint as dean of the Walker College of Business for 13 years.
“[Boone] just ended up being a nice place to raise your family and to call home,” Rosanne said.
She spends most of her time running errands to prepare the Chancellor’s House for multiple dinners held each week for students, staff and important visitors to Appalachian.
The couple hosts two to three dinners per week, entertaining anywhere from 30 to 80 guests per event.
Rosanne utilizes her artistic insight, creating floral and decorative centerpieces for the events.
“Each chancellor’s wife brings their own talents to this job. My [art] talent has lapped over into what Ken and I both see as our legacy here,” she said. “The students are the school and we get very involved with the students.”
Rosanne has a passion for cooking, especially Italian dishes such as pasta with pesto and shrimp.
She also holds a job as a broadcast journalist, hosting her own talk show “Inside Appalachian with Rosanne Peacock,” a 10-minute segment recognizing professors, students or student groups for their exceptional services to the community and performance at Appalachian.
The show airs Monday mornings on the Mountain Television Network, Channel 18.
“There is never a dull moment [in Boone] – there is always something going on,” Roseanne said. “I wouldn’t trade it for anything. It’s been a privilege and honor to be here during this part of Appalachian’s history – to watch it grow and evolve with the students, technology and sustainability.”
Story: PHILLIP WYATT, Intern Lifestyles Reporter
Photo: HOLT MENZIES, Chief Photographer |
