Kennesaw State University, commonly known as Kennesaw State, is a public,
coeducational university and is part of the University System of Georgia. It is located in Kennesaw, an unincorporated community in Cobb County,
Georgia, United States, approximately 20
miles north of Atlanta.
The president of the university is Daniel Papp,
Ph.D,[2] the University's third president.[6] Currently, KSU is the third largest university in the University System of Georgia with more than
20,000 students.[7][8]
For four consecutive years U.S. News & World Report has named
the First-Year Experience program a "Program to Look For".[4] Kennesaw State is best known for its Nursing, Business, and Education programs.[4]
History
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 Cobb County Junior
College. By August 1965, it was officially named Kennesaw Junior College with
Horace Sturgis serving as its first president. In 1976, it became a
four-year college, Kennesaw College, which allowed it to grant its first bachelor's
degrees to seventy students in June 1980. Shortly after, Kennesaw State's first president
retired and in 1981 Betty Siegel, know as "The Betty" to
many people, became the second president of KSU and the first female university president in the University System of
Georgia.
The first graduate degree programs, in business and education started in
1985. In 1988, it was renamed Kennesaw State College and
Associate degrees were discontinued, except for a program in nursing. In 1990 School of Business Administration starts the nation's
first degree program in professional sales, which is ranked among the best today.
On June 12, [[1996], the university was renamed to Kennesaw State University . That
same year 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 mens basketball team win of the 2004 NCAA Men's Division II Basketball Championship. Partially due to their
winning Division II in 2005, the Owls joined the Division I Atlantic Sun Conference.
The nursing program began offering options for clinical practice abroad in 1998. Practicums in Haiti are started by Dr.
Gerónimo Lluberas. [9]
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. In the Summer of 2006 Dr.
Daniel S. Papp became the university's third president. In 2007 a new 162,595 sq. ft. Social Sciences building opened for use by many of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences students.
Adjacent to the build a 35,000 pound 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
from strip-minded Brazilian Rain forest. Reconstruction is underway on the statue.
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 mission to Kennesaw State, inlcuding a lunar map and a checklist from the flight. It is reported
to be the only checklist from an Apollo fight to be in a university library anywhere in the world.
Campus
Kennesaw State University is located on 240 acres 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. Affordable as well as convenient to metro Atlanta and northwest Georgia, KSU is a diverse mixture of traditional and
non-traditional, residential and commuter students.
Social Sciences Building
A view of the Social Science 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 building features a 302 seat
auditorium, a 100+ seat Cinema classroom, a newly opened digital media arts lab and 40 classrooms with advance 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.[10]
Spaceship Earth
Located adjacent to the building a 350,000 pound sculpture entitled "Spaceship Earth" created by Finnish American artist
Eino. The sculpture commissioned by the Maxwell Family
Foundation for the late environmentalist David Brower. In late December 2006, only three
months after installation on campus, the earth collapsed. The sculpture was intended to be a permanent reminder to future
generations to take care of their delicate planet. After the collapse Eino attributed the disaster to vandalism but later reports
associated the collapse to poor construction. Reconstruction was to begin in February 2007 but was delayed until July and is
scheduled to be completed by the end of October 2007. For progress check out www.savespaceshipearth.com or video feed.
A. L. Burruss Building
A view of 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. This building is one of the
more dominant features of this sector of the campus, which contains other large structures (Kennesaw Hall, KSU Convocation
Center). At night, the tower that extends from the center of the Burruss Building facade lights up with the letters "KSU",
displaying its dominance on campus, even at night. A sidewalk west of the Burruss building leads north to university housing
communities University Village and KSU Place. 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
Kennesaw State's Campus Green 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 most treasured landmarks. 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 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. Exiting the
Carmichael Student Center from its east exits offers a spectacular view of the Campus Green and the surrounding structures.
Kennesaw Hall
a view of 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 this structure that could be seen all the way from Barrett Parkway (a busy Kennesaw road a
few miles away) and Kennesaw Mountain. This "Crown Jewel" of the Kennesaw State campus borders Frey Road and can be seen by
passing motorist on Interstate 75. Kennesaw Hall over looks 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 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 (originally the Social Science Building), Pilcher Public Service, 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 public institution in Georgia and is overseen
by the Georgia Board of Regents. As of spring 2007 there are 19,245 students 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.[11] 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.[12] 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%. [12]
Colleges and degrees
The university is divided into eight colleges and offers 43 bachelor's degrees, 16
master degree programs, and two doctoral
programs.[13]
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.[14]
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 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 SG is to promote understanding and involvement among all members of the campus community, and to represent and
legislate the interest of the student body of Kennesaw State 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/Treasure
and five appointed and confirmed secretary's 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
- 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.
- WKSU Owl Radio is an
internet streaming radio station for KSU.
- Talisman is the name of the former Student Yearbook for KSU.
Fraternities and sororities
Many other fraternities and sororities have existed at KSU over the years:
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 States started womens 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 1 and during the 2006 season, the Owls won the Atlantic
Sun Conference regular season title.
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 where
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 hometown
Atlanta Braves.
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
Kennesaw's largest club sport is Ice Hockey and they are currently the ACHA Division 3 National Champions and have moved up the Division 2 of the ACHA.
Kennesaw State also has club sports in ultimate frisbee, cycling, Lacrosse, roller hockey, wrestling
and rugby.
Cheerleading
Kennesaw State's Cheerleading Squad cheers for all the home Men's and Women's Basketball games as well as being nationally
competitive. While in Division II the squad was Back to Back Peach Belt Conference Champions in 2003 and 2004. The
Cheerleading team won the NCA Division II National Championship in Daytona, FL in 2004 and 2005. In both 2006 and 2007 the
cheerleading team made a strong showing in Division I by placing third to the University of Maryland and the University of
Louisville (both multiple time National Champion Programs). The cheerleading team has been in the Top 5 Nationally for the past 8
years with a record of:
Division II: 1998-12th, 1999-9th, 2000-5th, 2001-2nd, 2002-2nd, 2003-2nd, 2004-1st, 2005-1st;
Division I: 2006-3rd, 2007-3rd.
Football
Kennesaw State has considered adding a football team at various points of its history.
Future plans for the school include a football stadium. The school is currently doing a feasibility survey and capital
campaign.
References
- ^ 2006-2007 Fact Book. Kennesaw State University. Retrieved on 2007-03-18.
- ^ a b Papp, Daniel. Office of the President. Kennesaw State University. Retrieved on 2007-04-04.
- ^ a b c d e f KSU Student Profile. Facts and Figures. Kennesaw State University Office of
Institutional Research & Information Management. Retrieved on 2007-03-07.
- ^ a b c "Kennesaw State University", Georgia Board of Regents,
2007-02-28. Retrieved on 2007-03-18.
- ^ Kennesaw State University Kennesaw State University
Colors. 2007.
- ^ Perry-Johnson, Arlethia. "Papp Named President of Kennesaw State
University", University System of Georgia, 2006-02-16. Retrieved on 2007-04-04.
- ^ 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.
- ^ «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
- ^ LEED Registered Projec (PDF). U.S. Green Building Council. Retrieved on 2007-03-09.
- ^ 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.
External links
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