Kennesaw State celebrated the 25th anniversary of the naming of Coles College of Business by hosting “Michael J. Coles Day” on Wednesday, Oct. 17.
Michael J. Coles, the business school namesake and serial entrepreneur, spent the day with students on campus and gave a presentation to the KSU community about his life and career.
“It’s always a pleasure when we can bring Michael to the College,” said Dean of the College of Business Kathy Schwaig. “His story and his entrepreneurial spirit are truly inspiring.”
The event began at 2:45 p.m. in the Burruss building with a ribbon cutting and a ceremonial cookie cake cutting. At 3 p.m., those who attended received their free copy of Coles’ new autobiography, “Time to Get Tough: How Cookies, Coffee and a Crash Led to Success in Business and Life” before his official book launch and presentation. Students then had the opportunity to speak with Coles and get their copy of the book signed.
During the event, Coles met with Schwaig and other board members of the college. Coles also unveiled his exhibit, a collection of awards and acknowledgments that Coles has received and decided to release to the university.
“Time to Get Tough” was released on Oct. 15 and tells the account of Coles’ unusual life and career experiences. The book is co-authored by KSU Professor of History Catherine Lewis who worked diligently with Coles for over two years to bring his story to life.
Lewis said that Coles’ story is full of humor, failure, ambition and success that makes his book difficult to put down. Lewis also said that among Coles’ career and life achievements, writing his autobiography was the hardest thing he has ever done.
According to the Coles College of Business website, Michael J. Coles is a successful businessman, philanthropist and cyclist. In 1977, he co-founded the Atlanta-based Great American Cookie Company. He and his partner, Arthur Karp, invested $8,000 and the company later became the largest cookie store franchise in the U.S.
In the 1980s, Coles held world records as a transcontinental cyclist after setting three new records in bicycle racing.
Coles also ran for the House of Representatives in 1996 and for Senate in 1998. He subsequently sold Great American Cookies the same year.
“Georgia, the business world and KSU are different places because of what Michael Coles has done,” Lewis said. “His story is inspiring for anyone who is trying to overcome a challenge, and there is a lot of failure on the way to success. Reading “Time to Get Tough” and visiting the exhibit will give a new generation an appreciation for how hard work, determination and grit can change your life and that of your community.”
