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Adcock and Petschauer Receive Honorary Doctorates from Appalachian State University on May 10 and 11

May 13, 2014. An Appalachian State University alumnus and member of the university’s Board of Trustees, and a professor emeritus from the Department of History were awarded honorary doctorates during May graduation ceremonies last weekend.

Bradley T. Adcock of Cary, a 1976 graduate, received a Doctor of Humane Letters, Honoris Causa May 11 during the College of Arts and Sciences’ commencement ceremony held in Holmes Convocation Center.

Dr. Peter W. Petschauer of Boone, a member of the history faculty for 38 years, received a Doctor of Humane Letters, Honoris Causa May 10 during the College of Fine and Applied Arts ceremony held in Holmes Convocation Center.

Bradley T. Adcock

Bradley Adcock receiving his honorary degree
Bradley Adcock receiving his honorary degree

Adcock is vice president for government affairs with Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina. He is serving his second four-year term on Appalachian’s Board of Trustees, on which he serves as secretary. He previously served a two-year term on the board beginning in 1995.

Adcock recently served as vice chairman of the Chancellor Search Committee. He has helped lead activities associated with the university’s fundraising efforts, the Campaign for Appalachian.

Adcock has been an advocate for higher education at the state level as a member of the UNC Board of Governors from 1997-2009, during which time he helped secure state funding for Appalachian’s George M. Holmes Convocation Center and the new College of Education building. He also helped with passage of the 2000 N.C. Higher Education Bonds referendum that provided $3.1 billion for construction, repairs and renovations at the state’s 16 public universities and 59 community colleges.

Adcock is a member of the Athletics Facilities Campaign Committee and has been instrumental in the university’s goal to renovate and expand athletics facilities on campus. Adcock received an outstanding service award from Appalachian’s Alumni Association in 2009.

Peter W. Petschauer

Peter Petschauer receiving his honorary degree
Peter Petschauer receiving his honorary degree

Petschauer is a former director of Watauga College, the university’s general honors program and a founder of the university’s interdisciplinary studies program. He was a director of the former Hubbard Center for Faculty and Staff and a former chairman of Appalachian’s Faculty Senate and the UNC Faculty Assembly.

Petschauer has served on the advisory boards for the Cratis D. William Graduate School, the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts, An Appalachian Summer Festival and the Department of Art in the College of Fine and Applied Arts.

Petschauer was a catalyst for engaging community members in discussions about a program that reached its fruition when the Turchin Center opened in 2003. He and his wife, Joni, have made significant financial contributions and gifts from their art collection to the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts to create the Peter and Joni Webb Petschauer Permanent Collection and Conservation Area. The collection represents a major body of significant regional art contributed by the Petschauers, which ensures that the history of visual arts within the community is protected.

Petschauer received a UNC Board of Governors Award for outstanding teaching in 2002. He retired from Appalachian in 2006.