Daniel S. Papp Inaugurated as Kennesaw State's Third President
by Frances Weyand

President Daniel S. Papp set his vision today for the future of Kennesaw State University during his inaugural address following his investiture as the third president in the institution’s 43−year history.

The historic ceremony‚ formally installing him as president of Kennesaw State University‚ the University System of Georgia’s third−largest university‚ was held in KSU’s 5‚000−seat Convocation Center for an audience of friends‚ family‚ distinguished guests‚ community members‚ faculty‚ staff and students.

Erroll B. Davis Jr.‚ chancellor of the University System of Georgia‚ conducted the investiture. Joseph D. Meeks‚ dean of the College of the Arts and chair of the presidential search and advisory committee‚ served as master of ceremony.

In his inaugural address‚ Papp emphasized the need for providing access to nontraditional students and senior adults when he announced that the Bernard Osher Foundation has endowed KSU with $1 million to continue programs for seniors 50 years and older‚ and $50‚000 for nontraditional students 25 to 50 years old who are returning to KSU to earn their degrees.

The new president also outlined his five−point vision for the university that includes KSU becoming among the best learning−centered state universities in the nation. Additional goals include:

• providing access to nationally recognized undergraduate and graduate programs‚

• expanding distinct program offerings in select areas of state and national need‚

• educating students both in the liberal arts and their fields of specialty‚ and

• producing graduates who are highly ethical‚ technologically literate and globally aware leaders who embrace diversity and community engagement.

Papp explained that while KSU is not considered a “research university” in academic terms‚ his vision is that many KSU students‚ faculty and staff will be involved in the creation of knowledge via research‚ scholarship and other creative activities.

“Our agenda will include both the transmission of knowledge and understanding‚ and the creation of knowledge and understanding‚” said Papp. “In short‚ we will be a ‘community of learners‚’ a community where all of us‚ including our alumni and friends in neighboring communities‚ are actively engaged in the learning process.”

Papp also emphasized the need to meet the state’s growing demand for public higher education.

“We at Kennesaw and other USG institutions in the region must meet this swelling regional and statewide demand with high−quality programs‚” he said.

Papp further indicated that KSU would work with sister institutions in the University System of Georgia and Department of Technical and Adult Education colleges to make sure students can transfer easily between USG institutions.

The traditional inauguration ceremony‚ which began with a colorful international student flag parade‚ included deans and faculty of KSU’s seven colleges processing in academic regalia‚ along with members of the University System of Georgia Board of Regents‚ KSU Foundation trustees‚ presidents of institutions of higher learning‚ state and local dignitaries‚ the president’s cabinet‚ the senates of the university‚ directors of the university’s institutes and centers‚ alumni representatives‚ council of academic deans‚ honorary doctorate recipients and Betty L. Siegel‚ president emeritus.

Marching and bringing greetings on behalf of the state of Georgia was James Lientz‚ chief operating officer in the Office of the Honorable Sonny Perdue; the Honorable Tom Price; Allan Vigil‚ chair of the USG Board of Regents; and G. Wayne Clough‚ president of the Georgia Institute of Technology. Thomas M. Holder‚ chair of the KSU Foundation Board of Trustees‚ also brought greetings to the new president.

Other special guests participating in the processional included Theresa Milligan‚ Georgia special projects director‚ the Office of the Honorable Saxby Chambliss; and Heath Garrett‚ chief of staff‚ the Office of the Honorable Johnny H. Isakson.

Prior to Papp’s appointment‚ he served as senior vice chancellor for academics and fiscal affairs of the University System of Georgia from 2000 to May of this year. From 1998 to 2000‚ Papp directed educational programs for Yamacraw‚ Georgia’s initiative to become the global leader in broadband technologies and components. Papp also served as interim president of Southern Polytechnic State University from 1997 to 1998 and as executive assistant to the president at Georgia Tech from 1994 to 1997.