During the week of Monday, Jan. 6, Kennesaw State received a $10 million donation from Michigan philanthropists John and Rosemary Brown — the largest donation KSU has received from a single contributor, according to KSU News.
The Browns’ donation will go to KSU’s Honors College. Specifically, the donation will be used as an endowment matching fund, Dean of the Honors College Dr. Rita Bailey said.
“The Browns’ gift creates an endowment matching fund at 150 percent. That means that any new donor who establishes a new endowment for the Honors College will have their gift matched 1 1/2 times,” Bailey said. “For example, if a donor makes a $100,000 gift to establish an Honors scholarship endowment, that donor will end up with a $250,000 endowment in their sole name, in perpetuity.”
As an act of gratitude for John and Rosemary Browns’ donation, KSU will be changing the Honors College’s name to “Keeping Sights Upward Journey Honors College” in the couple’s honor, according to KSU News.
In addition to their acts of frequent philanthropy, the Browns are strong supporters of higher education. The Honors College name change symbolizes the Browns’ passion for encouraging KSU honor students in achieving their goals, Bailey said.
This is not the first time the Browns have worked with KSU. Rosemary Brown was introduced to KSU and the Honors College by a fellow volunteer, CEO of the KSU Foundation and the KSU Vice President of Advancement Lance Burchett said.
“Through further engagement, Rosemary Brown became a member of the Honors College Advisory Council,” Burchett said.
KSU’s Honors College is dedicated solely to help honor high-achieving students that attend KSU, according to the KSU Honors College website.
The Honors College’s mission is “to offer [honor students] opportunities to participate in intellectual challenges; enhanced academic experiences; and community engagement, leadership, and global activities to support their development as individuals and contributing members of their various communities,” according to its website.
