Making the transition to a four year college did a great deal for the growth of Kennesaw’s campus. Pictured above is a “How to Get Around” map for Kennesaw College
in 1981. Through a quick comparison to the current campus map, it is clear that the campus has more than tripled in size in 30 years.
Going from a junior college to a four year school paved the way for Kennesaw to become the student life-oriented college that it is today. The 1981 map focuses in on the ten classroom and administrative buildings that made up the campus. Looking at the 1981 map, buildings such as the Student Center, the library and Social Sciences are instantly recognizable; located in the same places as 1981. There were just four parking lots surrounding the buildings, which show how the school has a long history of not being able to provide sufficient parking to students. Now, 30 years later, we only have four dedicated parking decks and three surrounding lots.
Another aspect of campus that has not changed much in three decades is the amount of space dedicated to athletics. The 1981 map shows only two baseball fields and a soccer field. The same spot on the current campus map shows the same fields, and nothing more. Of course, we now have the Fifth Third Bank Stadium, but that is not even technically on the KSU campus itself.
The largest contributing factors to the growth of the campus are undeniably classroom buildings and housing. The current map lists 21 classroom buildings and nine student life buildings. Over the years, the school has seen the addition of major facilities such as The Commons dining hall, the campus bookstore and The Student Recreation and Wellness Center. Offering these facilities helps the school to attract on-campus residents. As KSU caters to more and more on-campus residents each year, it is quickly becoming one of the largest colleges in Georgia. Over the next two years, KSU is projected to become the second largest Georgia University, just behind UGA. KSU is the fastest growing school in the University System of Georgia and the campus’ growth makes that clear.
