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Kennesaw State University

Coordinates: 34°02′16″N 84°34′52″W / 34.037876°N 84.58102°W / 34.037876; -84.58102
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Kennesaw State University
Seal of Kennesaw State University
TypePublic
EstablishedOctober 9, 1963
EndowmentU.S. $25.7 million[1]
PresidentDaniel S. Papp[2]
ProvostKen Harmon
Academic staff
745[3]
Students24,600+[4]
Address
1000 Chastain Rd
Kennesaw, GA 30144
,
Kennesaw
,
Georgia
,
USA
CampusSuburban 384 acres[5]
ColorsKSU Gold, Black, Burgundy      [6]
AffiliationsUSG, Atlantic Sun
MascotScrappy the Owl
Websitehttp://www.kennesaw.edu
Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw State University (KSU) is a public, coeducational, comprehensive university located in Kennesaw, Georgia, United States, approximately 20 miles (32 km) north of Atlanta on the very top of Kennesaw Mountain. KSU also holds classes at the Cobb Galleria Centre, Dalton State College, Appalachian Technical College and Dallas.[8] A current enrollment of over 24,600 students[4] makes KSU the third largest institution in the University System of Georgia, trailing the University of Georgia and Georgia State University.[9] The university is well known for academic programs in business, education, nursing, criminal justice and sports management.

History

The University Village at dusk

The university has undergone a number of changes in name (and mission) over its relatively short existence.

1963

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. In December 1964, Horace Sturgis was designated to serve as the future college's first president. When the school opened it was named Kennesaw Junior College opened in fall of 1966 with an initial enrollment of 1,014 students.[10]

1976: Kennesaw College

Ten years later, in 1976, the former Kennesaw Junior College became a four-year college and was redesignated Kennesaw College.

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.[11][12]

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 Coles College of Business started the nation's first degree program in professional sales, which is today ranked among the best.

1996: Kennesaw State University

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.[13]

In 2004, KSU was recognized by the Department of Homeland Security and the National Security Agency as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education. At the time, this placed KSU among 67 other institutions recognized as CAE/IAEs with this recognition. KSU was re-recognized in 2007.[14]

Also in 2004, the USG Board of Regents approved the Bachelor of Science in Information Security and Assurance, the first degree program of its kind at a public university in the Southeast, and only the second degree program of its kind in the U.S.

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][15] Although the university was mostly non-traditionally aged and commuter students, there was a successful effort to become a more traditional, residential campus.[16][17] Papp's first strategic plan outlined initiatives to lead to an increase in academic standards and retention rates, and more on-campus housing.

In the spring semester of 2007, KSU started its first doctoral programs in Education in Leadership for Learning and Education.[18]

In the Fall semester of 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.[19] Reconstruction of the statue was completed on 26 October 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.[20]

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.[21] 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.[21]

Damage to the campus from the 2009 Georgia floods forced administration to cancel classes from September 21–23, 2009.

Campus

Kennesaw State University is located on 240 acres (97 ha) of land adjacent to I-75 (similar to three other Georgia universities, Georgia Tech, Dalton State College and Georgia State University) where views of the campus can be seen from the highway, including Kennesaw State's "University Village".

Social Sciences Building

Main article: Kennesaw State University Social Sciences Building
The Social Sciences Building and the Spaceship Earth sculpture

The Social Sciences building 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 Sciences building also meets Silver Rating LEED Green Building requirements and is the first building in the University System of Georgia to meet these specifications.[22]

Spaceship Earth

Main article: Spaceship Earth (sculpture)

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 that surfaced associated the collapse with poor construction.

Reconstruction was to have begun in February 2007, but was delayed until July 2007, and was finally completed on October 26, 2010.[23][24]

The sculpture, completed at an estimated cost of $1.5 million, is currently recognized as the world's largest quartz sphere.[citation needed]

A. L. Burruss Building

The A. L. Burruss Building in spring

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. 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 in early spring 2007

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 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 largest buildings in the East section of campus.

Convocation Center

Main article: KSU 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.

The Bentley Rare Book Gallery & Special Collections, named in honor of Fred and Sara Bentley, brings together a world-class collection of 15,000 items that spans the history of the written word in the Western World. This collection provides undergraduate students the opportunity to study original works firsthand. Recent additions to this collection includes a fourth folio Shakespeare dated 1685b and a first edition complete works of Chaucer dated 1542. Located on the basement floor of KSU's Sturgis Library, the Rare Book Gallery can be reserved for classroom visits, meetings, presentations, and is open for research by appointment.

Other selected buildings

Student Center

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 Social Science Building was completed at the end of 2006. In 2009, a new two-story, 1,500-seat dining hall known as "The Commons" opened.[25] In 2008, a new $46,000,000, 915-bed freshman residence hall called "University Suites" opened.[26]

The Dr. Bobbie Bailey & Family Performance Center

The Bailey Performance Center opened its doors in October, 2007. The $9 million facility contains a 630-seat auditorium designed to accommodate a variety of performance ensembles, The Gwendolyn Brooker Rehearsal Hall, and the Don Russell Clayton Gallery. While serving as the heart of Kennesaw State's School of Music, the center hosts rehearsals, masterclasses, recording sessions, and recitals for the music faculty and students.

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 fall 2012, 24,600 students were enrolled making this the largest enrollment in Kennesaw State University's history.[27] Over three-quarters of the student body come from Cobb, Cherokee, or Fulton counties,[27] while 9% of the student body come from over 136 countries world wide.[28] 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.[27]

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.[27]

There are 607 faculty members at Kennesaw State; 37% of these are assistant professors.[29] 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%.[29]

In 2008 for the first time, U.S. News polled top college officials to identify schools that had recently made the most promising and innovative changes in academics, faculty, students, campus or facilities.[30] Kennesaw State was among 70 colleges that received the most nominations. KSU was the only public institution in Georgia cited on the list of “up-and-coming” schools.[31] Kennesaw State was also the only college in Georgia recognized for its efforts to help freshmen acclimate to the rigors of college life. For the sixth consecutive year, the magazine cited KSU’s First-Year Experience program as a "Program to Look For".

Colleges and degrees

The university is divided into eight colleges and offers 50 bachelor's degrees, 20 master degree programs, and five doctoral programs.[32]

Continuing Education

Kennesaw State's Department of Continuing Education, the largest in the nation, is housed in the KSU Center, located a mile away from the main campus.[33]

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.

Athletics

Main article: Kennesaw State Owls
Scrappy's retired mascot during new student orientation

Kennesaw State University's Athletic teams are called the Owls. The Owls participate in NCAA Division I Atlantic Sun Conference (and previously NCAA Division II Peach Belt Conference). After spending ten years in Division II's Peach Belt Conference, the university fully transitioned to Division I status in the National Collegiate Athletic Association at the beginning of the 2009–10 season. Vaughn Williams was hired in April 2011 as the university's third Director of Athletics. He had previously served for six and a half years as UConn’s associate athletic director, where he was responsible for strategic planning, facility master planning, and policy and procedure improvement.

Kennesaw State University's mascot is Scrappy the Owl. The Kennesaw State Athletics Association unveiled their new Scrappy mascot on October 13, 2012, during their basketball season preview called Flight Night.

Past NCAA Division II National Championships include: baseball (1996), men's basketball (2004), cheerleading (2004, 2005), women's soccer (2003), and softball (1995, 1996). The baseball team also won an NAIA National Championship (1994). Kennesaw State is one of two division II schools to win a national championship in four different sports, Grand Valley State University being the other. KSU also has several other regional and divisional championships.

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 Life, 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 (SABAC), 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. Student Government is made up of the President, Executive Vice President, Parliamentarian, Secretary, Treasurer and five appointed and confirmed Directors and 28 senator positions. The Student Government has weekly meetings where they discuss and pass legislation, listen to testimony from administrative officials and plan/discuss upcoming campus events. Senators and a Director (the chair) are separated into five standing committees to facilitate in legislative development. The five standing committees are: Academic Affairs, Student Services, Press and Public Relations, External Affairs, and Operations.

Student media

  • The Sentinel (KSU) is the official newspaper for KSU. It is printed weekly during fall and spring semesters and twice during the summer semester.
  • The Talon is the feature magazine for Kennesaw State University.
  • Share is KSU's national award-winning magazine that features the work of KSU students.
  • "OWL Radio" is the student run radio station for KSU. Content is streamed online with live365.
  • Talisman is the name of the former Student Yearbook for KSU.

Fraternities and sororities

Kennesaw State University is home to twenty-one fraternities and sororities: five of the North-American Interfraternity Conference (IFC), four of the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC), eight of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), and two of the National Multicultural Greek Council (MGC).

IFC

NPHC

Panhellenic Association

MGC

Service organizations

Notable people

Alumni

Professors and scholars

  • Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, visiting History professor
  • Dr. Gerónimo Lluberas, College of Nursing, international physician, humanitarian, musician
  • Dr. Britain J. Williams, Computer Science professor emeritus, national expert on election systems
  • Bob Barr, former U.S. Congressman, adjunct professor teaching a course on privacy rights (Spring 2008), 2008 Libertarian Party Nominee for President of the United States
  • Rhubarb Jones, former radio disc jockey, professor of Mass Communications
  • Dr. Kerwin Swint, author and professor of Political Science, internationally known expert on elections, political campaigns, and political history
  • Dr. Andrew I.E. Ewoh, professor of Public Administration and director of the Master in Public Administration program

References

  1. ^ Annual Financial Reports - Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia
  2. ^ a b Papp, Daniel. "Office of the President". Kennesaw State University. Retrieved 2007-04-04.
  3. ^ "KSU Student Profile". Facts and Figures. Kennesaw State University Office of Institutional Research & Information Management. Retrieved 2007-03-07.
  4. ^ a b "Kennesaw State University Fact Sheet 2012" (PDF). Kennesaw State University. 2012. Retrieved 2012-12-27.
  5. ^ "Kennesaw State University". Georgia Board of Regents. 2007-02-28. Archived from the original on 2007-02-16. Retrieved 2007-03-18. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  6. ^ Kennesaw State University Kennesaw State University Colors. 2010.
  7. ^ "2006-2007 Fact Book". Kennesaw State University. Retrieved 2007-03-18.
  8. ^ http://www.kennesaw.edu/dallas/
  9. ^ "About KSU". Office of University Relations. Retrieved 2012-12-27.
  10. ^ "KSU: History",. Retrieved on 2011-02-24.
  11. ^ Costello, Jan (2001-03-30). "Betty Siegel brings out the best in people and places". Atlanta Business Chronicle. American City Business Journals, Inc. p. 2. Retrieved 2007-12-18. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  12. ^ Isakson, Johnny (2001-05-26). "Floor Statement Congratulating Dr. Betty Siegel". United States Senate. Retrieved 2007-12-18. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  13. ^ «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
  14. ^ "NSA CAE/IAE". Retrieved 2010-03-25.
  15. ^ Perry-Johnson, Arlethia (2006-02-16). "Papp Named President of Kennesaw State University". University System of Georgia. Archived from the original on 2007-02-11. Retrieved 2007-04-04. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  16. ^ PASCUAL, AIXA (2007-10-27). "KSU launches $75 million capital campaign". Atlanta Journal and Constitution. Archived from the original on 2007-10-29. Retrieved 2007-10-31. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  17. ^ "KSU Athletics Feasibility Study". Kennesaw State University. 2007-06-01. Retrieved 2007-10-31. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  18. ^ "Graduate Studies". Kennesaw State University Enterprise Information Management. Retrieved 2007-10-31.
  19. ^ Hill, Angela (2007-03-24). "175-ton East Bay-inspired 'Earth Spaceship' needs landing pad". Alameda Times-Star. MediaNews Group, Inc. Retrieved 2007-11-28. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  20. ^ "From the Moon to the Manuscript: The Charles Duke Donation - About the Collection". Horace W. Sturgis Library. Kennesaw State University. Retrieved 2008-01-24.
  21. ^ a b Rosen, Karen (2008-03-19). "KSU adds doctoral degree in business, major in dance". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Cox Newspapers. Retrieved 2008-03-19. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  22. ^ "LEED Registered Project" (PDF). U.S. Green Building Council. Retrieved 2007-03-09.
  23. ^ Save Spaceship Earth Alliance
  24. ^ http://www.youtube.com/savespaceshipearth
  25. ^ [1]
  26. ^ [2]
  27. ^ a b c d "KSU Student Profile". Facts and Figures. Kennesaw State University Office of Institutional Research & Information Management. Retrieved 2007-03-07.
  28. ^ "KSU Student Profile". Facts and Figures. Kennesaw State University Office of Institutional Research & Information Management. Retrieved 2007-03-17.
  29. ^ a b "KSU Student Profile". Facts and Figures. Kennesaw State University Office of Institutional Research & Information Management. Retrieved 2007-03-17.
  30. ^ U.S. News rankings and reviews
  31. ^ http://news.kennesaw.edu/access/story.asp?sto=419
  32. ^ "KSU Student Profile". Facts and Figures. Kennesaw State University Office of Institutional Research & Information Management. Retrieved 2007-03-17.
  33. ^ "Continuing Education Fact Sheet". Department of Continuing Education. Archived from the original on 2007-05-17. Retrieved 2007-03-09.

34°02′16″N 84°34′52″W / 34.037876°N 84.58102°W / 34.037876; -84.58102

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