Kennesaw State University: A Comprehensive Overview of its Location, Growth, and Impact

Kennesaw State University (KSU), a prominent institution within the University System of Georgia (USG), stands as the second-largest university in the state. With a rich history marked by significant growth and transformation, KSU has become a vital hub for education, research, and community engagement.

Historical Development and Expansion

KSU's journey began on October 9, 1963, a period characterized by substantial college expansion in Georgia. Cobb County, with its burgeoning aircraft industry and air bases, embodied the progressive spirit of the New South following World War II. The University of Georgia's establishment of off-campus centers, including the Marietta Center in Cobb County (1951-1966), laid the groundwork for increased access to higher education.

The increasing number of college-aged individuals in the early 1960s put pressure on educators and politicians to expand classroom capacity. There was a preference across the state for independent two-year community campuses. Carl Sanders, during his successful 1962 gubernatorial campaign, pledged to establish a college within commuting distance of every Georgian.

Initially promising a new college to Bartow County, Sanders faced a strategic challenge. Leaders in Cobb County, recognizing the unlikelihood of both counties securing a new institution, presented the Board of Regents with an unprecedentedly generous offer. The city of Marietta and the Cobb County Board of Education committed to selling $2.35 million in bonds to fund the land, initial buildings, roads, utilities, and landscaping for the new college. Ultimately, the total investment reached nearly $3.25 million. To address the disappointment of Bartow County residents, the Board of Regents strategically located the campus in north Cobb, approximately equidistant between Marietta and Cartersville, the seat of Bartow County.

Horace W. Sturgis assumed the role of charter president on July 1, 1965. Despite construction delays caused by labor issues, Kennesaw Junior College commenced classes in September 1966, utilizing classrooms provided by the Southern Technical Institute (later Southern Polytechnic State University) in Marietta. From the outset, the college prioritized recruiting faculty with four-year status in mind.

Transition to a Four-Year College and University Status

Throughout the early 1970s, civic leaders persistently advocated for Kennesaw's conversion to a four-year institution. During the 1974 gubernatorial election, local power brokers supported George Busbee in exchange for his commitment to facilitate Kennesaw's attainment of four-year status. State Representative Joe Mack Wilson successfully allocated $250,000 in the regents' budget for Kennesaw's conversion in both 1975 and 1976.

Opponents raised concerns about program duplication and advocated for junior colleges to serve as feeder institutions for Georgia State University. However, Cobb County's rapid population growth and the lack of a public four-year college in northwest Georgia bolstered Kennesaw's case. The inconvenience of commuting to Atlanta for classes motivated students to seek a closer campus.

With the support of Busbee-appointed regents, Kennesaw advocates prevailed, and on April 14, 1976, the Board of Regents approved the school's transformation into a four-year college, which was redesignated Kennesaw College. Kennesaw graduated its first four-year class in 1980.

Kennesaw State finally achieved University status in 1996.

Presidential Leadership and Growth

Following Sturgis's retirement, Betty L. Siegel was appointed as the school's new president in 1981, becoming the first woman to lead an institution in the USG. Her tenure, lasting until 2006, marked a period of remarkable growth, with enrollment surging from fewer than 4,000 students in 1980 to over 10,000 by 1990. Siegel spearheaded the introduction of master's-level programs, beginning with business and elementary education in 1985.

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Siegel often remarked that she had served as president of at least three different colleges during her tenure at Kennesaw. The early 1980s were characterized by enrollment growth and the expansion of programs tailored to student and community needs. The late 1980s and early 1990s witnessed increased selectivity and specialization, with the establishment of the A. L. Burruss Institute of Public Service in 1988. By 2002, student enrollment exceeded 15,000.

Despite these successes, Kennesaw faced reputational challenges in the 1990s due to controversial administrative decisions. The "Renewing American Civilization" course taught by Newt Gingrich in 1993 drew scrutiny, raising questions about the college's impartiality and potential support for partisan politics.

Daniel S. Papp assumed the presidency in July 2006. Under his leadership, the number of new construction projects increased, and KSU continued to expand its doctoral degree programs. General retention and graduation rates also improved, with the six-year graduation rate for full-time/first-time freshmen rising from 28 percent in 2006 to 43 percent by 2013.

Papp spearheaded the development of a quality enhancement plan focused on "Global Learning for Engaged Citizenship," expanding international content in courses and degree programs. In 2008, KSU partnered with Yangzhou University to establish a Confucius Institute. The university also intensified its commitment to diversity, launching a targeted enhancement program to support minority students, leading to increased retention and graduation rates.

In August 2013, the Board of Regents reclassified KSU as a "comprehensive university." In November of the same year, the Board voted to consolidate KSU and Southern Polytechnic State University under the name of Kennesaw State University.

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Consolidation with Southern Polytechnic State University

On November 1, 2013, the University System of Georgia announced the merger of Kennesaw State University with Southern Polytechnic State University, solidifying KSU's position as a leading institution in the state. The consolidation, finalized in January 2015, brought together the resources and expertise of both universities, creating a comprehensive institution with a broader range of academic programs and research capabilities.

Southern Polytechnic, started by the president of the Georgia Institute of Technology, Blake R. Van Leer who was known for making Atlanta the "MIT of the South."

Campus Locations and Facilities

Kennesaw State University operates on two campuses: the main campus near Kennesaw and a satellite campus in Marietta, formerly the Southern Polytechnic State University campus. The combined acreage of both campuses is 581 acres (235 ha) of land, of which about 251 acres is in Kennesaw and the remainder in Marietta.

Kennesaw Campus

The Kennesaw campus houses a variety of academic and administrative buildings, including:

The Social Sciences Building: A 163,000-square-foot facility featuring a 302-seat auditorium, a 100+ seat cinema classroom, a digital media lab, and 40 classrooms with advanced technology. The building also houses a Starbucks and meets Silver Rating LEED Green Building requirements.
The Norman J. Radow College of Humanities and Social Sciences: Renamed in 2020 after a $9 million donation, this college encompasses a wide range of disciplines.
The Convocation Center: A multipurpose facility that supports academic classes, lectures, concerts, theatrical performances, athletic events, graduations, and convocation ceremonies. It also houses the NCAA Division I men's and women's basketball programs.
The Dr. Bobbie Bailey Performance Center: Opened in 2007, this facility includes a 630-seat auditorium and the Don Russell Clayton Gallery.
The Historic District (Original Campus): Comprising the University College, Pilcher Public Service and Library, Willingham Hall, Nursing, Advancement, and Technology Annex buildings.

Marietta Campus

The Marietta campus, formerly Southern Polytechnic State University, offers a distinct academic environment with a focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines.

Academic Profile

Kennesaw State University offers a comprehensive range of academic programs, with more than 150 undergraduate and graduate programs across its two campuses. KSU is home to the state's largest Educational Technology Training Center (ETTC). The ETTC is one of 13 such centers around the state.

Student Life and Activities

Kennesaw State University provides a vibrant campus environment with numerous opportunities for student engagement. KSU has approximately 300 registered student groups and organizations for student participation. Many of these groups may apply for funding from the Student Activities and Budget Advisory Committee (SABAC), which is a student-run advisory committee to the vice president of student affairs.

The Sentinel (KSU) is the official newspaper for KSU. Owl Radio is the student-run online radio station for KSU.

Demographics

In fall 2023, Kennesaw State's student body was 49% male and 51% female. The ethnic diversity was as follows: 42.5% White, 26.4% Black/African-American, 14.6% Hispanic/Latino, 5.8% Asian, 4.6% multi-racial, and 2.5% undeclared.

Athletics

Kennesaw State University's athletic teams, known as the Owls, compete in Division I of the NCAA and as a member of Conference USA. Athletics began in the 1981â82 academic year, with KSU joining both the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the Georgia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GIAC).

In 2005, the Owls began the four-year transition to Division I of the NCAA. The Owls announced on November 14, 2013 that they would start a Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) football team. The Owls play home games at Fifth Third Bank Stadium in Kennesaw. Kennesaw State University also has a live mascot, Sturgis the Owl, named after Dr. Horace T.

Kennesaw State University CDP

Kennesaw State University CDP is a census-designated place (CDP) and the official name for an area covering the Kennesaw State University campus in Cobb County, Georgia. It does not include the Kennesaw State University campus in Marietta.

Rankings and Recognition

Kennesaw State University has garnered recognition for its academic quality and value.

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