KSU in the News
Atlanta Journal Constitution Area universities show the way on food sustainability
Atlanta Business Chronicle Driverless bus makes stop in Atlanta
WABEFM A Closer Look: Public Dear Faculty, Staff, and Students: Schools
My monthly campus updates are a chance for me to fill you in on some of the Marietta Daily Journal things that I am focusing on while also highlighting some of the stories from KSU Online Programs on around campus that make us all proud. I did, however, want to take this national list opportunity to follow up on my message to campus this week regarding the executive order on immigration. I am an internationalist. Both my undergraduate and graduate degrees are in international politics and, as I recently told someone, had I not gone into law, I would have become a professor in international affairs. I will always support our international faculty, staff, and students and the value their contributions bring to our university. As I noted in my message on Monday, I understand that there are many questions, so know that we are closely monitoring this evolving situation, and we will continue to keep you updated.
Last week, I had the honor of participating in Law Enforcement Appreciation Day to recognize the hard work and dedication of the men and women who work to help keep us safe. It is, perhaps, fitting that I share a story with you about one of our KSU police officers, Rusty Midkiff. While on duty last weekend, Officer Midkiff assisted the Cobb County Police Department by administering Naloxone to a person, not related to our campus community, who had overdosed on drugs. When Officer Midkiff arrived, the person was not breathing, was not responsive, and the Cobb officers were administering CPR. Approximately 30 seconds after Officer Midkiff administered Naloxone, the person began breathing and soon after regained consciousness. I have personally reached out to Officer Midkiff and thanked him for his service but wanted to share this with all of you. Our police department is vital to the safety of our campus and surrounding communities, and I hope you join me in thanking them for what they do on a daily basis.
Meanwhile, here are a few personnel updates:
After a national search, I am please to announce that we have hired Ann Burris as KSU’s new chief human resources officer. Ann has more than 30 years in human resources and most recently served as the assistant deputy commissioner for human resources with the Georgia Department of Human Services. She joins KSU on Feb. 15 and will report to KSU’s Chief Business Officer Julie Peterson.
Mark Hubbard joins us today as the new executive director of Ignite HQ, KSU’s business incubator and accelerator in collaboration with the Cobb Chamber of Commerce. Mark joins us from the Alpharetta Technology Commission, where he launched and led their innovation center. He brings decades of management and capitalmarkets experience to this role and will be instrumental in leading IgniteHQ as they prepare to open the new Marietta headquarters later this month.
Finally, I would like to congratulate Coach Bohannon, Coach Walton, and the entire Athletics Department on another successful Signing Day. Coach Bo, Coach Benji, and AD Williams are excited about the teams’ prospects this year, and I know all of us look forward to going out and supporting them, along with all of our men’s and women’s teams.
On a slightly different note, please take a moment to read the story below about how our women’s basketball team and coach Agnus Berenato partnered with Team IMPACT to help make a little girl’s dream come true. It is truly a special story and demonstrates the best of Kennesaw State. Thanks, Coach Agnus and team. We are so very proud of what you do both on and off the court.
As always, please feel free to email me with any questions and remember to stop and say hello when you see me out on either campus.
Go Owls!
Sincerely,
Sam Olens President
Owls draft 8year old as honorary team member
The Kennesaw State women's basketball team introduced its newest member during a signing ceremony inside the KSU Convocation Center. Eight year old Cate Zavitz was introduced by head coach Agnus Berenato before signing a ceremonial letter that made her an honorary member of the team.
Scholarship support
Last year, Kennesaw State awarded $1.4 million in scholarship funding to more than 860 students, all made possible because of donors.
20 Years of Honors
Kennesaw State University is commemorating 20 years of Honors programs, and Honors College Dean Rita Bailey anticipates having much more to celebrate in the coming years.
Woven in ingenuity
A new partnership between Kennesaw State and Mohawk Industries, the world’s largest flooring manufacturer, has given engineering students an opportunity to improve the company’s automation processes.
New Frontiers
The 11 students who recently returned from a pioneering, semesterlong education abroad experience — "the World in 80 Days" — were part of a bold experiment that took them to four continents, pushing global education at Kennesaw State to higher levels.
Kennesaw State University, Office of the President 1000 Chastain Road, MD0101, Kennesaw, Georgia 30144