Kennesaw State University

The university has undergone a number of changes in name (and mission) over its short existence. The university was officially founded on October 9, 1963, when the Georgia Board of Regents approved the establishment of a junior college tentatively to be named Cobb County Junior College.

1965-1981: Horace Sturgis era

In August 1965, Horace Sturgis was designated to serve as the future college's first president.

1966: Kennesaw Junior College

Kennesaw Junior College opened in fall of 1966 as a junior college, with an initial enrollment of 1,014 students.

1976: Kennesaw College

Ten years later, in 1976, the former Kennesaw Junior College became a four-year college and was redesignated Kennesaw College. This allowed it to grant its first bachelor's degrees to seventy students in June 1980. Shortly thereafter, Sturgis retired as Kennesaw State's first president.

1981-2006: Betty Siegel era

In 1981 Betty Siegel, known as "The Betty" to many people, became the second president of KSU and the first female university president in the University System of Georgia.^[9]^[10]

In the late 1980s to mid 1990s, KSU began a period of rapid growth, including a program of expanded offerings, as well as residential housing.

In 1985, KSU initiated its first graduate degree programs, in business and education.

1988: Kennesaw State College

In 1988, the former Kennesaw College was renamed Kennesaw State College and Associate degrees were discontinued, except for a program in nursing.

In 1990, the School of Business Administration started the nation's first degree program in professional sales, which is ranked among the best today.

1996: Kennesaw State University

On June 12, 1996, the former Kennesaw State College was renamed to Kennesaw State University, the name by which it is known today.

In 1996, Kennesaw State's baseball and softball teams won the NCAA Division II national championships. The winning Owls continued excelling in athletics including the Lady Owls 2003 win of the NCAA Women's Division II Soccer Championship and the men's basketball team win of the 2004 NCAA Men's Division II Basketball Championship. In part due to their winning Division II in 2005, the Owls joined Division I and the Atlantic Sun Conference.

In 1998, the nursing program began offering options for clinical practice abroad. Practicums in Haiti were started by Dr. Gerónimo Lluberas. ^[11]

In 2006, Dr. Siegel stepped down as one of the longest-serving woman university presidents in American history. The Siegel era was marked by exponential growth and advancement for the university.

2006-present: Daniel Papp era

In the summer of 2006, Dr. Daniel S. Papp, Ph.D, became the university's third president.^[2]^[12] Although the university is mostly non-traditionally aged and commuter students, there has been a renewed effort to become a more traditional campus.^[13]^[14] Papp's first strategic plan outlined initiatives to lead to an increase in academic standards and retention rates, more on-campus housing, and a football team.

KSU started its first doctoral programs in Education in Leadership for Learning and Education and a Specialist in Spring semester 2007.^[15]

In 2007, a new 162,595 sq ft (15,105.6 m²) Social Sciences building opened for use by many of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences students. Adjacent to the building, a 35,000 lb (16,000 kg) sculpture entitled "Spaceship Earth", created by Finnish artist Eino, collapsed in December 2006, three months after installation on campus. The sculpture was intended to be a permanent reminder to future generations to take care of their delicate planet. Ironically, the statue was made from quartzite strip-mined within the Brazilian Rain forest.^[16] Reconstruction of the statue was completed on 26 October 2007.

The university's first doctoral program in Education in Leadership for Learning also began in 2007.

On October 17, 2007, Apollo 16 astronaut Charles Duke donated several relics from the 1972 lunar mission to Kennesaw State, including a lunar map and a checklist from the flight. It was reported to be the only checklist from an Apollo flight to be in a university library anywhere in the world.^[17]

On 19 March 2008, the Board of Regents approved the university system's only Doctor of Business Administration, which was also Kennesaw State's second doctoral degree.^[18] The regents also approved a Bachelors of Arts with a major in Dance, KSU's 46th undergraduate degree, as well as a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Secondary Science degree.^[18]

Campus

Kennesaw State University is located on 240 acres (97 ha) of land adjacent to I-75 (similar to two other Georgia universities, Georgia Tech and Georgia State University) where views of the campus can be seen from the highway, including Kennesaw State's "University Village". KSU, which enrolls over 20,000 students, is the third largest university in the state of Georgia. Convenient to metro Atlanta and northwest Georgia, KSU is a diverse mixture of traditional and non-traditional, residential and commuter students.

Social Sciences Building

The new Social Science building is the most recently completed building at KSU. It is located on the west section of campus on Campus Loop Road adjacent to the original campus historical district. The 163,000-square-foot (15,100 m²) building features a 302 seat auditorium, a 100+ seat Cinema classroom, a newly opened digital media arts lab, and 40 classrooms with advanced technology. The lobby features a healthy food café and study area. The Social Science building also meets Silver Rating LEED Green Building requirements and is the first building in the University System of Georgia to meet these specifications.^[19]

Spaceship Earth

Located adjacent to the Social Sciences Building is a 350,000-pound (160,000 kg) sculpture entitled "Spaceship Earth", created by Finnish American artist Eino. The sculpture was commissioned by the Maxwell Family Foundation in memory of the late environmentalist David Brower. The sculpture was intended to be a permanent reminder to future generations to take care of their delicate planet.

In late December 2006, only three months after installation on campus, the structure collapsed. After the collapse, Eino attributed the disaster to vandalism, but later reports associated the collapse to poor construction.

Reconstruction was to have begun in February 2007, but was delayed until July 2007, and was finally completed on October 26, 2007. ^[20]^[21]

The sculpture is currently recognized as the world's largest quartz sphere.^{citation needed}

A. L. Burruss Building

The A. L. Burruss Building is home to the Michael J. Coles College of Business. It is situated in the east section of campus overlooking the Campus Green. The ground floor contains a food court with table seating for eating and studying surrounded by numerous lecture halls. The fourth floor of the Burruss Building is a computer lab open to students and one of the campus data centers. This building is one of the more dominant features of this sector of the campus, which contains other large structures. At night, the tower that extends from the center of the Burruss Building facade lights up with the letters "KSU". A sidewalk west of the Burruss building leads north to university housing communities University Village and KSU Place. A 2,500 space parking deck ("Central Deck") is in construction in the buildings former surface parking lot. The Central Deck is estimated completion of June 2008 and will accommodate parking for the entire campus. Easy access to the developing arts district northwest of the Burruss Building (Stillwell Theatre, Performance Hall) is offered from the west exit of the Burruss Building.

Campus Green

The Campus Green is a grass area in the center of campus. It offers students an area to relax, study or throw a football or flying disc between classes. This aesthetic feature has become one of KSU's best known features.^{citation needed} During the Spring and Fall student activity on the green can be seen during the noon and afternoon hours. During graduation ceremonies, the campus green is no longer utilized as a reception area. Signs from the East Parking Deck lead students and visitors to the Campus Green surrounded by the towering buildings in the area (Burruss Building, Kennesaw Hall and The Student Recreation & Wellness Center) which offers a unique atmosphere on this suburban campus. The Campus Green offers direct access to Kennesaw State's James V. Carmichael Student Center.

Kennesaw Hall

Kennesaw Hall is home to the Bagwell College of Education and administrative offices of the university. The Office of the President resides on the top floor of the building that can be seen all the way from Barrett Parkway (a busy Kennesaw road a few miles (kilometers) away) and Kennesaw Mountain. Kennesaw Hall overlooks the Campus Green and is one of the larger buildings in the east section of Campus.

Convocation Center

The Convocation Center is located southeast of the Campus Green and houses the NCAA Division I men's and women's basketball programs at Kennesaw State University. The Convocation Center is a multipurpose facility that supports academic classes, lectures, concerts, theatrical performances, athletic events, graduations, and convocation ceremonies. The facility has locker rooms, training rooms, and offices for the athletic department. The third floor of the center houses hospitality and conference suits that overlook the arena floor. KSU's Convocation Center is the largest of its kind in northwest Georgia with seating for 4,800.

Other selected buildings

The 'historic district' of the university (Original Campus) is located in the west section of campus and includes the University College (formerly the Social Sciences Building), Pilcher Public Service and Library, Willingham Hall, Nursing, Advancement, and Technology Annex buildings. These buildings served primarily as the home to the College of Humanities and Social Science until construction on the new Social Science Building was completed at the end of 2006.

Academics

Profile

Kennesaw State University is accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and is a public institution in Georgia and is overseen by the Georgia Board of Regents. As of spring 2007, 19,245 students were enrolled with the largest enrollment being in fall semester 2006 at 19,854.^[3] Over three-quarters of the student body come from Cobb, Cherokee, or Fulton counties,^[3] while 9% of the student body come from over 136 countries world wide.^[22] About 70% undergraduates are full-time, while the figure for graduate students is 31%. As of Spring 2007, 56% of undergraduates are under 23 years old; over half (57%) of its graduate students are between 23 and 34 years of age. ^[3]

For fall 2006, 36% were in its Bagwell College of Education; 35% of graduate enrollments were in the Coles College of Business. That semester also saw the university continue its trend of having significantly more female (61%) than male (39%) students. As of 2004, KSU has the third-largest university enrollment within the University System of Georgia, out of the 34 universities and colleges in the system.^[3]

There are 607 faculty members at Kennesaw State with 37% being assistant professors.^[23] 38% of faculty are tenured and 43% are on a tenured track. Kennesaw State is currently ranked 10th among other four-year USG institutions with faculty having a doctorate degree, at 74%. ^[23]

Colleges and degrees

Continuing Education

Kennesaw State's Continuing Education, the largest in the nation, is housed in the KSU Center, located a mile away from the main campus.^[25]

Kennesaw State is home to the state's largest Educational Technology Training Center (ETTC). The ETTC is one of 13 such centers around the state. Teachers and other school personnel from around the state come to the KSU ETTC for professional development.

KSU's Computer Science and Information Systems department hosts the Center for Election Systems, which certifies and monitors the direct recording electronic machines used in Georgia elections and trains local elections officials.

Student life

Student groups

KSU has over 170 registered student groups and organizations for student participation. Some of the more active organizations in recent years have been Greeks, Religious clubs, and Club Sports. There are seven line-item student organizations, Student Government, Kennesaw Activities Board, African American Student Alliance, Global Society, International Student Association, Graduate Students Association and Student Media. These organizations are awarded a line-item budget yearly ranging from $30,000 to $144,000 that is spent on student programing and activities. Many of these groups give stipends to their members up to 100 percent of tuition and fees. All other student organizations have the opportunity to spend up to $350 per year on program from the Student Life budget. The budgets for student organizations are awarded by the Student Activities and Budget Advisory Committee, which is a majority student, faculty and staff run advisory committee to the Vice President of Students. This committee meets regularly during the fall and spring semesters approving new organizations, funding requests and by-law changes.

Student government

The purpose of KSU's Student Government is to promote understanding and involvement among all members of the campus community, and to represent and legislate the interest of the university's student body on a campus-wide, local, state, and federal level in accordance with KSU statutes, student codes of conduct, and the policies of the Board of Regents. All active students at KSU are allowed to vote in the yearly elections during spring semester. SG is made up of the President, Executive Vice President or Secretary/Treasurer and five appointed and confirmed secretarys and 28 senator positions. The Student Government has weekly meetings where they discuss and pass legislation, listen to testimony from administrative officials and discuss upcoming campus events. Senators and a Secretary (the chair) are separated into five standing committees to facilitate in legislative development.

Student media

Fraternities and sororities

Athletics

Kennesaw State University's sports teams are called the Fighting Owls and the Lady Owls. The Athletic Director for the university is Dr. Dave Waples. The Owls participate in NCAA Division I Atlantic Sun Conference (and previously Division II Peach Belt Conference). The school mascot is Scrappy (the fighting Owl). The university's biggest sport is its basketball program. KSU takes special pride in its athletic program and its several athletic facilities on campus. Past NCAA Division II National Championships include: Baseball (1996), Men's Basketball (2004), Cheerleading (2004, 2005), Women's Soccer (2003), Softball (1995, 1996). Kennesaw State is the only division II school to win a national championship in four different sports. Several other regional and divisional championships add to the legacy of the university's athletic program.

Soccer

Kennesaw State started women's soccer in 2002. In their first year of competition the school finished 18-0-1 and earned a trip to the national tournament. The following year Kennesaw State won the Division II national championship. 2004 was the start of the transition to Division I and during the 2006 season, the Owls won the Atlantic Sun Conference regular season title. After winning their second straight A-Sun title in 2007, the Owls made their first appearance in the NCAA Women's Soccer Championships, falling to Florida State, 3-0, in the first round.

Basketball

The Kennesaw State Fighting Owl and Lady Owl basketball teams play Division I basketball in the expansive Convocation Center on the campus of KSU. The teams previously played in the legendary Spec Landrum Center, which served as the home floor when the men won the NCAA Division II National Championship in 2004. The current women's head coach is Colby Tilley. The current men's head coach is Tony Ingle. "Courtside with Tony Ingle" is the official basketball television show of KSU which airs on Comcast Sports South weekly.

Baseball

Kennesaw State's baseball team is currently coached by Mike Sansing. The Owls play at Stillwell Stadium on the south section of the campus adjacent to the University Place housing community. Owl Alumni in Major League Baseball include Jason Jones of the Texas Rangers and Willie Harris, who earned a World Series ring with the Chicago White Sox in 2005, of the Washington Nationals.

Softball

Kennesaw State's softball team is led by Hall of Fame coach Scott Whitlock. The Lady Owls play at Bailey Park just south of the bustling intersection of Kennesaw State University Road and Paulding Avenue in the center of campus. The facility added a new Daktronics scoreboard in right field in the spring of 2007.

Club sports

Cheerleading

Kennesaw State's Cheerleading Spirit Squad cheers for all the home Men's and Women's Basketball games. The Competitive Cheerleading team was recently moved to club sports and has been taken over by Head Coach A.J. Lawrence. Lawrence is a former Kennesaw Cheerleader 2002-2006. The Competitive Cheerleading Team has won two National Cheerleading Association Collegiate National Championships in Division II in 2004 and 2005. The squad moved to Division I in 2006 and is now competing against top schools such as University of Maryland, University of Louisville, and The Ohio State University and has continued to be ranked in the top five spots in the nation.

Football

Kennesaw State has considered adding an American football team at various points in its history. Future plans for the school include a football stadium. The school has concluded a feasibility survey which affirmed it would be possible to have Division I football. On November 9, 2007, a survey was administered by Student Government with 77.6 percent of respondents voting in favor of starting a football program. Participation in the survey was supposed to be restricted to enrolled students only; however, due to a design flaw, anyone could take the survey an unlimited number of times. ^[26]

Notable people

Alumni

Professors and scholars

References

^ Annual Financial Reports - Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia
^ ^a ^b Papp, Daniel. "Office of the President". Kennesaw State University. Retrieved on 2007-04-04.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e "KSU Student Profile". Facts and Figures. Kennesaw State University Office of Institutional Research & Information Management. Retrieved on 2007-03-07.
^ ^a ^b ^c "KSU Enrollment Comparisons". Kennesaw State University Enterprise Information Management. Retrieved on 2007-10-31.
^ "Kennesaw State University", Georgia Board of Regents (2007-02-28). Retrieved on 2007-03-18.
^ Kennesaw State University Kennesaw State University Colors. 2007.
^ "About KSU". Office of University Relations. Retrieved on 2007-03-09.
^ "Semester Enrollment Reports - Fiscal Year 2007", University System of Georgia (2006-11-10). Retrieved on 2007-04-01.
^ Costello, Jan (2001-03-30). "Betty Siegel brings out the best in people and places", Atlanta Business Chronicle, American City Business Journals, Inc, pp. 2. Retrieved on 2007-12-18.
^ Isakson, Johnny (2001-05-26). "Floor Statement Congratulating Dr. Betty Siegel", United States Senate. Retrieved on 2007-12-18.
^ «Comprehensive Program Review Self-Study for the M.S.N. Program in the WellStar Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Program,"School of Nursing, College of Health and Human Services, Kennesaw State University, 2002-2003, p. 10
^ Perry-Johnson, Arlethia (2006-02-16). "Papp Named President of Kennesaw State University", University System of Georgia. Retrieved on 2007-04-04.
^ PASCUAL, AIXA (2007-10-27). "KSU launches $75 million capital campaign", Atlanta Journal and Constitution. Retrieved on 2007-10-31.
^ "KSU Athletics Feasibility Study", Kennesaw State University (2007-06-01). Retrieved on 2007-10-31.
^ "Graduate Studies". Kennesaw State University Enterprise Information Management. Retrieved on 2007-10-31.
^ Hill, Angela (2007-03-24). "175-ton East Bay-inspired 'Earth Spaceship' needs landing pad", Alameda Times-Star, MediaNews Group, Inc. Retrieved on 2007-11-28.
^ "From the Moon to the Manuscript: The Charles Duke Donation - About the Collection". Horace W. Sturgis Library. Kennesaw State University. Retrieved on 2008-01-24.
^ ^a ^b Rosen, Karen (2008-03-19). "KSU adds doctoral degree in business, major in dance", The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Cox Newspapers. Retrieved on 2008-03-19.
^ "LEED Registered Projec" (PDF). U.S. Green Building Council. Retrieved on 2007-03-09.
^ Save Spaceship Earth Alliance
^ Video feed. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/savespaceshipearth.
^ "KSU Student Profile". Facts and Figures. Kennesaw State University Office of Institutional Research & Information Management. Retrieved on 2007-03-17.
^ ^a ^b "KSU Student Profile". Facts and Figures. Kennesaw State University Office of Institutional Research & Information Management. Retrieved on 2007-03-17.
^ "KSU Student Profile". Facts and Figures. Kennesaw State University Office of Institutional Research & Information Management. Retrieved on 2007-03-17.
^ "Continuing Education Fact Sheet". Department of Continuing Education. Retrieved on 2007-03-09.
^ "SGA survey goes live", KSU Sentinel. Retrieved on 2007-11-14.

Contents

History