KSU launches music management program
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Start-up funds provided by prominent Atlanta entertainment attorney Joel A. Katz KENNESAW, Ga…
Georgia (Jun 28, 2010) — Start-up funds provided by prominent Atlanta entertainment attorney Joel A. Katz
KENNESAW, Ga. (June 28, 2010) — President Daniel S. Papp announced today that Kennesaw State University will launch
an Entertainment and Music Management Certificate Program in fall 2010, thanks to
a generous private gift that will underwrite the program.
Prominent Atlanta entertainment attorney Joel A. Katz of Greenberg Traurig LLP has
made a significant and undisclosed contribution to the KSU Foundation that provides
initial funding for an innovative academic certificate program targeting business
majors and music students who want to develop proficiency in the business side of
the entertainment industry.
Katz is an internationally recognized entertainment industry attorney. The entertainment
practice he started almost 40 years ago has grown into the world’s largest global
entertainment law practice, with dozens of international team members. The practice
is based in the Atlanta office of Greenberg Traurig.
“We are pleased that Joel Katz is our friend and benefactor,” stated Papp. “This program
will contribute tremendously to Kennesaw State’s increasing prominence in the arts,
particularly considering the dynamic and robust status of the music industry in metro
Atlanta. KSU is known for its entrepreneurial vision, and this new certificate program
will help us groom high-quality graduates prepared to lead in the music industry.”
The program will be a joint effort between the College of the Arts and the Coles College
of Business at Kennesaw State University. Students will be able to earn a certificate
in entertainment and music management, while majoring in the arts or business.
KSU’s College of the Arts is one of the largest in the state, and it is one of only
three fully-accredited arts colleges of its kind in Georgia. The Coles College of
Business is the second-largest business school in Georgia. Its MBA and Executive MBA
programs have received national recognition in recent years. Coles College is particularly
well known for its programs in entrepreneurship, professional sales and the Cox Family
Enterprise Center.
“We could not launch this program without the support of Joel Katz,” said Joseph Meeks,
dean of the KSU College of the Arts. “His gift, and the support and encouragement
of his friend Dr. Bobbie Bailey, are truly making a difference for our students at
KSU.”
Bailey is a longtime trustee and benefactor at KSU. The new state-of-the-art performance
center at Kennesaw State is named in her honor.
“I am honored to provide the foundation for the Kennesaw State University entertainment
and music management program, the result of my long history of collaboration and 40-year
friendship with Dr. Bobbie Bailey,” said Katz. “Her dedication to KSU, her vast charitable
interests, and her love for the entertainment and music business were key factors
in the decision to contribute.
“The other key factors are timing and geography,” Katz added. “Georgia needs a first-class
offering like the KSU entertainment and music management program, which will complement
Atlanta’s strong heritage of great artistry and music history in the South.”
“This program is unique, and we expect it will grow dramatically over the next few
years,” added Dr. Ken Harmon, Dean of Coles College of Business. “I have been a part-time
musician for years, and I know there is much more to the music industry than just
performing. What Joel Katz is doing for the music industry in Atlanta is phenomenal.
We are excited to be a part of it."
About Joel A. Katz
Joel A. Katz is considered a definitive leader in entertainment law. In 1971, he founded Katz, Smith & Cohen. In 1998, the firm merged with Greenberg Traurig,
where Katz is chairman of the global entertainment, media and sports practice and
co-managing shareholder emeritus. Katz’s first client was James Brown and his practice
grew to include legendary entertainers such as Willie Nelson, Sheryl Crow, Alan Jackson,
George Strait, Jimmy Buffett, James Taylor, Renee Fleming, Julio Iglesias, and Michael Jackson/the estate of Michael Jackson.
Katz’ corporate client list includes The Coca-Cola Company, AEG, Dick Clark Productions,
AFLAC and Nokia Corporation. Katz is general counsel for The Recording Academy, special
counsel to the Country Music Association, and general counsel/board member for Farm
Aid Inc. Katz also serves as a Music Industry Representative for the State of Georgia.
For additional information, visit http://www.gtlaw.com/People/JoelAKatz.
About Greenberg Traurig LLP
Greenberg Traurig LLP is an international, full-service law firm with approximately
1,775 attorneys serving clients from more than 30 offices in the U.S., Europe and
Asia. For additional information, visit www.gtlaw.com.
A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 41,000 students. With 11 colleges on two metro Atlanta campuses, Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia and the second-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 126 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. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.
