The Appalachian, Appalachian State University's independent student-run news publication, has published its 2025 Best of Boone Series, and Peacock Hall was named "Best Academic Building."
In this Best of Boone 2025: Best of Campus post, Lauren Lyerly shares why the 130,000-square-foot, four-story brick building in the middle of campus was selected, expanding on the building's welcoming nature and diverse services despite being under construction.
From the outside, one of the first things a person may notice about Peacock Hall is its ongoing construction; however, upon entering the building’s second floor lobby, it is clear the building has more to it than its developing exterior.
The lobby, which houses Beans 2 Brew, the Transportation Insight Center for Entrepreneurship and places for students to collaborate and study, showcases the resources Peacock Hall offers students and faculty.
The building’s welcoming nature, in addition to its diverse services, offer an explanation as to why Peacock Hall won Best Academic Building for this year’s Best of Boone.
“My favorite thing is the student commons,” said Tracy Reed, the associate dean for undergraduate programs and administration in the Walker College of Business. “I love to see the students hanging out there.”
The building houses six departments within the Walker College of Business alone, in addition to numerous labs and career services for students in the college.
Reed said each department and major finds a way to make each space their own and distinguish themselves from one another.
“It’s kind of zoned and each kind of takes their own ownership of that space,” Reed said.
Reed said she looks forward to the expansion of Peacock Hall which is set to be completed for Fall 2026. The expansion and renovation will make it possible to include more classrooms, learning lab spaces and common areas.
Learn more about the building at https://business.appstate.edu/about/facilities.
This year's Best of Campus post also included Best Student Club (APPS), Best Fraternity Organization (Sigma Nu), Best Sorority Organization (Chi Omega), Best Student-Owned Business (Carolina Crafts 4 U), and Best Professor (Pablo Chialvo).
About the Peacock Hall Addition
"The much-needed renovation of and addition to Peacock Hall will modernize the way our students learn and the way our faculty teach," said Walker College of Business Dean Sandra Vannoy. "This will be a cutting-edge academic home for future business leaders, where our compelling programs will continue to power truly transformative educational experiences for our students."
As part of the addition to Peacock Hall, the faculty and staff are cultivating spaces where students can study, research, innovate, gather, and build community.
The university received $25 million in legislative funding to support the project as part of the FY 2021–22 biennial budget bill, and the state allocated an additional $15 million in support of the project as part of the FY 2023–24 biennial budget bill. Fundraising is also taking place; opportunities exist for alumni and friends to help create a legacy of support by investing and naming new areas.
For information, contact Kyle Allen, executive director of development for the Walker College of Business, at 828-262-6231 or allenkb2@appstate.edu.
The outside of Peacock Hall is under construction on March 7. Construction is expected to be completed by Fall 2026.
Photo by Anahi Cepeda Lopez