KSU President Betty L. Siegel receives distinguished alumni award
President Betty L. Siegel recently received the 2003 Peabody Award from the School of Education at…
Georgia (Oct 2, 2003) — KSU President Betty L. Siegel receives distinguished alumni award
Frances Weyand
Abstract
Contact: Frances Weyand‚ Director of University Relations‚ 770−423−6203 or fweyand@kennesaw.edu
CHAPEL HILL‚ N.C. — President Betty L. Siegel recently received the 2003 Peabody Award
from the School of Education at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The
Peabody Award is the highest honor presented by the School of Education and is given
to an outstanding individual who has made an extraordinary impact on the field of
education.
This prestigious award was presented at the School of Education’s annual award reception
and luncheon held at the George Watts Hill Alumni Center on the campus of UNC at
Chapel Hill Sept. 20.
“Dr. Siegel was chosen for this award because she has demonstrated a commitment to
local education issues of the state of North Carolina and national issues and problems
confronting education‚” Laurie Norman‚ associate director for alumni relations and
special events‚ said.
A pioneer in the field of education‚ Dr. Siegel forged a path for women as she achieved
a remarkable series of “firsts.” Before her tenure at Kennesaw State University‚ Dr.
Siegel was the first woman academic dean at Western Carolina University in the School
of Education.
Prior to that‚ she was the first woman dean of academic affairs for continuing education
at the University of Florida. She was also the first woman and first educator to chair
the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Commerce in Cobb County‚ Georgia‚ a term
of service which coincided with planning and hosting of the Summer Olympic Games in
Atlanta in 1996.
Dr. Siegel was the first woman to lead an institution in the 34−unit University System
of Georgia‚ and the longest serving woman university president in the nation. She
has been at Kennesaw State University since 1981. During her 22−year administration‚
the university has evolved from a four−year college to its current university status.
Its enrollment has grown dramatically‚ from 4‚000 students in 1981 to nearly 17‚500
today. Its program offerings have nearly quadrupled during the same time‚ from 15
baccalaureate programs to its current array of 55 undergraduate and graduate degree
programs.
Previous recipient of the Peabody Award include such notables as former West Virginia
Gov. Gaston Caperton‚ 2002; Dr. Philip C. Schlechty‚ president and CEO of the Center
for Leadership in School Reform‚ in Louisville‚ Ky.‚ 2001; and former North Carolina
Gov. James G. Hunt Jr.‚ 2000.
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Kennesaw State University is a comprehensive‚ residential institution with a growing
student population of nearly 17‚500 from 123 countries. The fourth largest state university
out of 34 institutions in the University System of Georgia‚ KSU offers more than 55
undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its nearly 43,000 students. With 11 colleges on two metro Atlanta campuses, Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia. 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 6 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.
