Did You Know That Radow College Has A Faculty Rock Band? Now, You Do.
Did You Know That Radow College Has A Faculty Rock Band? Now, You Do.
KENNESAW, Ga. |
Oct 7, 2025
The Radow College of Humanities and Social Sciences is home to innovative research, creative endeavors, high-achieving faculty, and successful students. It’s also home to a faculty rock band.
(From L - R) Tom Rotnem, Ph.D., Kenneth White, Ph.D., Kerwin Swint, Ph.D., and Tim
Kersey, Ph.D., form the band Realpolitik.
The group features some familiar Radow College faculty faces: Guitarist and vocalist Tom Rotnem, Ph.D., professor of political science and associate director of the School of Government and International Affairs (SGIA); bassist and vocalist Tim Kersey, Ph.D., senior lecturer of political science; drummer Kerwin Swint, Ph.D., professor of political science; and guitarist and vocalist Kenneth White, Ph.D., associate professor of political science and criminal justice.
Together, the four friends and colleagues form Realpolitik (rā-ˈäl-ˌpō-li-ˌtēk). Merriam Webster defines the term as “politics based on practical and material factors rather than on theoretical or ethical objectives.” It’s a name befitting a rock band of political scientists. Swint said that, naturally, the band was primarily formed in the offices of SGIA.
“I used to be the school director, and Tom is the associate director, so our offices are right there. He often brings in a guitar just to, you know, noodle around a bit,” said Swint, who played the drums in high school. He shared his plans to purchase a drum kit with Rotnem. “Around that time, Kenneth was in the office, and I just jokingly say, ‘hey kid, do you play an instrument?’ He said, ‘well, yeah, I play the guitar,’ and that’s where the idea came from,” Swint continued.
(Pictured: Kenneth White, Ph.D., associate professor of political science and criminal justice, sings and plays guitar during a rehearsal for Realpolitik’s performance at the Kennesaw State University Legacy Gazebo.)
Every good rock band needs a bass guitar player. That's where Kersey comes in.
“We were at... a luncheon, and [Kersey] came up to me and you said, ‘you know, I play bass. If you guys ever want a bass player,’” Swint said. “I do remember at that event I was speaking, and I was introducing Krist Novoselic from Nirvana, and I made a cheesy joke to the crowd,” Swint said. “I said, ‘I’ve always wanted to open for Nirvana!’”
There was some debate about the official point of formation during the interview for this story, but it's estimated that Fall 2026 will be Realpolitik’s 10-year anniversary. The friendship and enjoyment they find in playing together keeps the group going strong. They play gigs at barbecues, neighborhood block parties, anniversary events, open mic nights, and KSU events. “We’re, you know, bringing people together,” Kersey said. “We have a blast every time,” Swint added.
(Pictured: Tim Kersey, Ph.D., senior lecturer of political science sings and plays bass during band practice for Realpolitik’s upcoming performance.)
The band’s self-described musical range stretches from “Led Zeppelin to Bruno Mars,” with an emphasis on classic rock. “We operate on a very... open and democratic principle,” Kersey said. They also play some original songs. “I’ve written songs before and I’ve been in bands, so it’s a... fun thing to write something specifically for this, and... it’s another way to express yourself creatively,” White said. “We’re still waiting on our record contract. It’s the only thing holding us back.”
In the meantime, they regularly jam in White’s living room to practice for their shows. Playing together for years has provided them with a wealth of stories, from the time that the power went out at Rotnem’s birthday celebration and they had to play over the roar of a friend’s backup generator, to the time an elderly gentleman said, “hope you’re not going to play too loud,” and left before they even started playing.
(Pictured: Tom Rotnem, Ph.D., professor of political science and associate director
of the School of Government and International Affairs, plays guitar during a band
practice session.)
Rotnem said that students react positively to the band, based on his experience. The group is a reminder that there is more to all of us than meets the eye, and having a range of interests makes us more relatable, well-rounded people.
“They kind of thought it was interesting that I have another facet to my life that they figured... was just about books and studying and research and whatever,” Rotnem explained. I think that they appreciate that because it’s relevant to them. They don’t have to be just a student. They can also have another aspect of their own.”
The band’s next KSU performance, organized by SGIA and co-sponsored by the Radow College, is scheduled for Thursday,
October 9, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Kennesaw campus Legacy Gazebo. The event
is free and is open to the entire KSU community.
(Pictured: Kerwin Swint, Ph.D., professor of political science, plays the drums during a rehearsal for Realpolitik’s next show.)
