RTM Restaurant Group gives $1 million to Kennesaw State University Center for Leadership‚ Ethics & Character
RTM Restaurant Group −− an organization founded on the principles of dreaming big…
Georgia (Feb 10, 2003) — RTM Restaurant Group gives $1 million to Kennesaw State University Center for Leadership‚ Ethics & Character
Staff
Abstract
RTM Restaurant Group −− an organization founded on the principles of dreaming big‚
playing fair and making a difference −−recently announced that it would contribute
an initial gift of $1 million to the Center for Leadership‚ Ethics & Character at
Kennesaw State University.
"This represents the largest gift the center has received‚" said Dr. Judith Stillion‚
director of the center. "The $1 million gift will go toward an endowment to fund projects
and programs for the center‚ as well as an endowment to fund a Distinguished Chair
in Ethical Leadership that will be named for Kennesaw State University President Dr.
Betty L. Siegel."
"Kennesaw State has long been committed to making lasting contributions to the larger
public good‚" said Dr. Siegel. "With this generous and long−lasting support from RTM
Restaurant Group‚ we are able to further our commitment through the Center for Leadership‚
Ethics & Character."
The gift was publicly announced by Russ Umphenour‚ RTM president and CEO at KSU's
fall commencement ceremonies Dec. 20‚ 2002. Umphenour challenged the graduates to
incorporate ethics into their professional decisions and professional lives. He also
spoke of the importance of character in today's society.
Dennis Cooper‚ RTM's chairman and a member of the KSU Foundation Board of Trustees‚
was one of the driving forces behind the contribution and views the gift as the beginning
of a long−term relationship between RTM and Kennesaw State. Part of this relationship
includes senior management at RTM teaching one day each year on the Kennesaw campus.
Cooper also foresees the expansion of RTM's strong leadership development program
to include working with faculty at the center and engaging students in leadership
programs.
"This is a dynamic partnership‚ marrying an academic center with a large for−profit
corporation‚ for a long−term relationship‚" stated Interim Vice President for University
Advancement Dr. Wesley Wicker. "Furthermore‚ it is a wonderful gesture‚ honoring Dr.
Siegel with a Distinguished Chair in Ethical Leadership in her name."
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Kennesaw State University is a comprehensive‚ residential institution with a growing
student population of 15‚600 from 118 countries. The fifth largest out of 34 institutions
in the University System of Georgia‚ KSU offers 55 undergraduate and graduate degree
programs.
A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers more than 150 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its approximately 38,000 students. With 13 colleges on two metro Atlanta campuses, Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia and the third-largest university in the state. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the region and from 92 countries across the globe. 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, and one of the 50 largest public institutions in the country. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.
