Papp addresses Rotary Club

The university’s next president‚ Dan Papp‚ spoke to a crowd of nearly 100 at a Rotary club luncheon April 17‚ specifically addressing issues of money‚ academics and growth.

Georgia (Apr 18, 2006) — The university’s next president‚ Dan Papp‚ spoke to a crowd of nearly 100 at a Rotary club luncheon April 17‚ specifically addressing issues of money‚ academics and growth.

“There is a wealth of expertise and opportunity at Kennesaw State‚” said Papp‚ who will start his new job July 1. “But KSU has some challenges‚ as well.”

Budget challenges‚ he noted‚ may be eased by the university’s first comprehensive capital campaign‚ which will begin moving ahead in the next few months. In addition‚ Papp plans to “accelerate” revisions to the strategic plan soon after he comes on board.

“We need to revise this plan every four to six years‚” he said. “This is something we should be looking at continually‚ as the needs of our students‚ community and businesses change.”

Regarding academics‚ Papp said KSU’s involvement in experiential‚ hands−on learning‚ such as co−ops and internships‚ is “significantly underway‚” and he plans to continue emphasizing that effort.

He also believes that KSU is “perfectly situated” for instituting a master’s degree in fine arts‚ as well as doctoral degrees in some disciplines‚ including education‚ in the near future.

One of the most urgent needs‚ however‚ is for more nursing educators and nurses‚ he said.

“KSU will be the heart and soul of this effort‚” Papp said‚ adding that the Board of Regents has approved the expansion of KSU’s accelerated Bachelor of Science in nursing program.

With program increases such as this‚ he said‚ the lack of physical space at Kennesaw State will only become a more critical issue.

“KSU is very hard−pressed for buildings and land‚” Papp said‚ noting that he will be looking at several models‚ such as adding noncontiguous campuses‚ to find a solution to the university’s exceptional growth.

The Rotary Club of Marietta Metro‚ which hosted the luncheon‚ has a long−standing relationship with KSU‚ according to President Michael White. This year‚ the club is sponsoring two local students and will also be providing a scholarship to an international student from Scotland this fall. In addition‚ the club has paid the way for a KSU nursing teacher to conduct AIDS research in South Africa.

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.