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Kennesaw State University
Seal of Kennesaw State University
Established	1963
Type:	Public
Endowment:	$28 million
President:	Daniel S. Papp[4]
Provost:	Lendley C. Black
Faculty:	607 [3]
Staff:	1,400+
Students:	20,603 [2]
Undergraduates:	18,269 [2]
Postgraduates:	2,334 [2]
Location	Kennesaw, Georgia, USA
Campus:	Suburban 240 acres[5]
Sports:	Owls
Colors:	Black and Gold[6]
Mascot:	Scrappy
Athletics:	NCAA Division I
Affiliations:	USG, Atlantic Sun
Website:	http://www.kennesaw.edu

Kennesaw State University, commonly known as KSU or Kennesaw State, is a public, coeducational university and is part of the University System of Georgia. It is located in Kennesaw, in Cobb County, Georgia, United States, approximately 20 miles north of Atlanta. KSU also holds classes at the Cobb Galleria Centre and Dalton State College.

The university opened in fall of 1966 as a Junior college and an initial enrollment of 1,014 students. In the 1980's and 1990's KSU started rapid growth due to expanded program offerings and residential housing. Currently, KSU enrolls the third largest number of students, at 20,603, among the 20 four-year universities in the USG, following the University of Georgia and Georgia State University.^[7][8] Kennesaw State started it first doctoral programs in Education in Leadership for Learning and Education and a Specialist in Spring semester 2007.^[9] Additionally the university is most known for academic programs in business, education, and nursing.^[10][11]

The president of the university is Daniel Papp, Ph.D,^[4] the University's third president.^[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 outlines in increase in academic standards and retention rates, more on-campus housing and football team.

Contents 1 History 2 Campus 2.1 Social Sciences Building 2.1.1 Spaceship Earth 2.2 A. L. Burruss Building 2.3 Campus Green 2.4 Kennesaw Hall 2.5 Convocation Center 2.6 Other selected buildings 3 Academics 3.1 Profile 3.2 Colleges and degrees 3.3 Continuing Education 4 Student Life 4.1 Student groups 4.2 Student Government 4.3 Student Media 4.4 Fraternities and sororities 5 Athletics 5.1 Soccer 5.2 Basketball 5.3 Baseball 5.4 Softball 5.5 Club Sports 5.6 Cheerleading 5.7 Football 6 Notable people 6.1 Alumni 6.2 Professors and Scholars 7 References 8 External links

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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. ^[15]

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.

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.

Main article: Kennesaw State University 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 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.^[16]

Main article: Spaceship Earth (Sculpture)

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 was completed October 26, 2007. Recognized as the world's largest Quartz sphere, a real modern marvel, Spaceship Earth is located on the campus of Kennesaw State University next to the Social Science building. For more information check out www.savespaceshipearth.com or video feed.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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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.^[17] 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.^[18] 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%. ^[18]

The university is divided into eight colleges and offers 43 bachelor's degrees, 16 master degree programs, and two doctoral programs.^[19]

College of the Arts College of Science & Mathematics Coles College of Business University College

Bagwell College of Education WellStar College of Health and Human Services College of Humanities and Social Sciences Graduate College

Kennesaw State's Continuing Education, the largest in the nation, is housed in the KSU Center, located a mile away from the main campus.^[20]

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.

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.

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.

• 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.

Many other fraternities and sororities have existed at KSU over the years:

Sororities Delta Phi Epsilon 1989 Phi Mu 1989 Alpha Kappa Alpha 1992 Delta Sigma Theta 1995 Zeta Phi Beta Gamma Phi Beta Spring 2008

Fraternities Delta Tau Delta 2002 Kappa Sigma 2004 Pi Kappa Phi Theta Chi 1983 Phi Beta Sigma Delta Chi Fall 2007

• Greek Life at KSU

Main article: Kennesaw State Owls

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.

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 1 and during the 2006 season, the Owls won the Atlantic Sun Conference regular season title.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 concluded a feasibility survey which affirmed it would be possible to have Division I football. On November 9 2007 a survey was completed by Student Government with 77.6 percent of respondents voting to start a football program. The survey was supposed to be only for enrolled students however due to a design flaw anyone could take the survey an unlimited amount of times. ^[21]

• Susan Sewell, VP Media Relations, ABC Television.
• Larry Nelson, Senior PGA Golf Pro
• Ty Pennington, host of ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and TLC's Trading Places
• Robert Henry, Pianist, Carnegie Hall and Kennedy Center Performer, Artist-in-Residence at KSU
• Cindy Bowden, U.S. Olympian
• Sean Treadaway - actor, voice over talent.
• Andy Azula, Advertising executive
• Lisa Peacock, Instrumental in development of BioGlue Surgical Adhesive
• Ken Burris, First COO of the US Fire Administration
• Kandice Pelletier - Miss New York 2005, appeared on CBS's The Amazing Race 10
  
• Willie Harris - Atlanta Braves - Major League Baseball player, World Series Champion with Chicago White Sox, 2005
• Mac Powell - Lead Singer of the Contemporary Christian Band "Third Day"

• Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives - visiting professor, History.
• Dr. Gerónimo Lluberas - Professor, College of Nursing - international physician, humanitarian and musician.
• Dr. Britain J. Williams - Professor Emeritis, Computer Science - national expert on election systems.

• Kennesaw State Official Website
• KSU Owls Athletic Website
• Kennesaw State University Institutional Research
• Kennesaw State University's Educational Technology Training Center

• Kennesaw State University is at coordinates 34°02′16″N 84°34′52″W / 34.037876, -84.58102Coordinates: 34°02′16″N 84°34′52″W / 34.037876, -84.58102

Kennesaw State University  v • d • e
Colleges and Centers	College of the Arts • College of Science & Mathematics • Coles College of Business • University College • Bagwell College of Education • WellStar College of Health and Human Services • College of Humanities and Social Sciences • Graduate College • Siegel Institute • Center for Election Systems •
Buildings	Social Sciences • Convocation Center • Performance Center • Recreation Center • Spaceship Earth
Athletics	Kennesaw State Owls • Scrappy • KSU Convocation Center • Atlantic Sun Conference
Student Life	The Sentinel (KSU) • KSU Radio • Kennesaw, Georgia• Metro Atlanta
People	President • People

v • d • e Atlantic Sun Conference
Belmont • Campbell (Fighting Camels) • ETSU • Florida Gulf Coast • Gardner–Webb • Jacksonville Kennesaw State • Lipscomb • Mercer • North Florida • South Carolina Upstate • Stetson

v • d • e University System of Georgia
Research Universities	Georgia Tech • Georgia State • Medical College of Georgia • University of Georgia
Regional Universities	Georgia Southern • Valdosta State
State Universities	Albany State • Armstrong Atlantic State • Augusta State • Clayton State • Columbus State • Ft. Valley State • GCSU • Georgia Southwestern State • Kennesaw State • North Georgia State • Savannah State • Southern Polytechnic State • West Georgia
State Colleges	Dalton State • Gainesville State • Georgia Gwinnett College • Macon State • Middle Georgia State
Agricultural Colleges	Abraham Baldwin
Two-year Colleges	Atlanta Metro • Bainbridge • Coastal Georgia • Darton • East Georgia • Georgia Highlands • Georgia Perimeter • Gordon • South Georgia • Waycross
Independent research unit	Skidaway Institute of Oceanography
Governing body	Georgia Board of Regents