In spite of the tight economy that has adversely affected fundraising by higher education institutions, Kennesaw State University's first capital campaign has reached its $75 million goal a full year ahead of schedule.

Launched in October 2007, Kennesaw State’s five-year comprehensive capital campaign –– labeled “The New Faces of Kennesaw State” –– has raised $75.1 million in contributions.



The capital campaign raised both the largest single private contribution ($5 million from an anonymous donor) and the largest grant the university has ever received ($8.9 million from the U.S. Department of Education), as well as 14 new gifts of at least $1 million each.

“Kennesaw State University is a young, dynamic, growing institution with a developing entrepreneurial spirit that is evident in our faculty, students, staff and alumni,” said KSU President Daniel S. Papp. “The individuals and institutions that contribute to and support Kennesaw State recognize and appreciate how far we have come and the great accomplishments we are making, and we, in turn, make it clear how much we highly value our donors’ support.”

Just 47 years old, Kennesaw State –– Georgia’s third-largest university –– has one of the youngest alumni bases among colleges and universities in the state. Yet among Georgia’s more established institutions, KSU consistently ranks fourth and fifth in contributions behind Emory University, the University of Georgia, Georgia Tech and Georgia State.

“The success that we achieved with this capital campaign is a tremendous accomplishment,” said Norman Radow, chairman of the Kennesaw State University Foundation, which led the campaign. “The Foundation’s executive committee and board members are pleased to play a key role in helping KSU meet the goal of the university’s first-ever capital campaign. We are even more excited that the goal was achieved ahead of schedule.”

The capital campaign has allowed Kennesaw State to move forward on many fronts toward its quest for national preeminence, including new scholarship programs, initiatives to reward outstanding faculty and staff performance, new facilities, and a strong expansion in funded research.

According to Bob Prillaman, KSU trustee and co-chair of the capital campaign, the success of the capital campaign is due to the hard work of KSU’s development staff and the generosity of the individuals and organizations that contributed to the university. “The real winners,” he said, “are the students of Kennesaw State.”