KENNESAW, Ga. | Aug 5, 2022

Kennesaw State University today officially opened its newest residence hall for more than 500 first-year students, in time for the start of the fall semester on August 15.

President Kathy Schwaig joined with others in the campus community on Friday to cut the ribbon for The Summit, a 105,202-square-foot residence hall overlooking the south end of the Kennesaw Campus. The Summit features two-bedroom double suites with shared common spaces to encourage a community environment to help first-year students as they begin college. It also includes a large lobby area as well as study spaces on each floor. Tours of the five-story building followed the ceremony.

With nearly 43,000 students at the university, growth in enrollment has increased demand for on-campus housing. The Summit, which began construction in early 2021, is the tenth residence hall on the Kennesaw and Marietta campuses. This new addition brings the number of students living on-campus to around 6,000.

“At Kennesaw State, we recognize the importance that building a community has on student success,” Schwaig said. “This new residence hall, which is designed with many areas where students can meet and collaborate, is just one of the ways we are helping our students engage with each other and the campus at large. I’m proud that we can offer such an outstanding place where students can live and learn.”

Eighteen resident assistants and one live-in professional staff member will reside in the building to support the students. Christian Kilgore, a KSU senior and the first community assistant at The Summit, will help the first-year students during their transition to college.

“Living on campus opens up so many doors for students to grow and find community,” Kilgore said. “It’s not just about sleeping in a little bit later. It’s about really engaging with the people you’re surrounded with, experiencing new opportunities you otherwise would not have, and being a part of the diversity that makes up this University. It’s all about making lifelong friends and having the college experience we all know about.”

The Summit joins the housing options for first-year students which include University Village and University Village Suites on the Kennesaw Campus, as well as Hornet Village, Howell Hall and University Columns on the Marietta Campus. Last year the University completed renovations of Howell Hall, giving students access to modernized living quarters, state-of-the-art lounges and study spaces.

Upper-class residences include the Austin Residence Complex and KSU Place in Kennesaw, and University Commons and University Courtyard in Marietta.

Photos by Matt Yung

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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.