KENNESAW, Ga. | Jan 8, 2021

Known for his unwavering support of students both in the classroom and in the field of play, longtime Kennesaw State University administrator Ron Koger, 81, passed away Sunday, Jan. 3.

“The Kennesaw State University community mourns the loss of one of its strongest advocates in Dr. Koger,” said KSU President Pamela Whitten. “For decades, he championed students and provided leadership that allowed KSU to blossom.”

In 1997, Koger was hired at the former Southern Polytechnic State University as vice president for enrollment management. From 2000 to 2014, his duties expanded, and he held the title of vice president for student and enrollment services. Koger served as interim president of SPSU from June 2014 until January 2015, when its consolidation with KSU was completed.

Beyond his service to the University, Koger found many avenues to give back. In 2019, he and his wife established the Ron and Gerre Koger Endowed Scholarship to provide financial support to students enrolled in the Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology, the College of Architecture and Construction Management and the College of Computing and Software Engineering.

An avid sports fan, Koger had served as the chief administrator over athletics at SPSU and was a season ticket holder for the KSU football and basketball teams. In 2015, he was inducted into the inaugural class of the Southern Polytechnic Athletics Hall of Fame for his role in helping launch SPSU's first women's intercollegiate sports program, basketball, and the men's soccer team. During his time overseeing athletics, Southern Polytechnic teams went to 21 NAIA national events, claimed 10 conference tournament championships and won six conference regular-season titles.

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 45,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.