President Kathy “Kat” Schwaig fortified her student-centered vision as President of Kennesaw State University in an age-old academic investiture ceremony held on Oct. 15 in the Kennesaw Campus Convocation Center.
University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue presented Schwaig with the Presidential Chain of Office following a heartfelt speech celebrating Schwaig’s commitment to the university and her emphasis on student success.
“In the past 20 years, she has literally put her heart and soul into making this institution better,” Perdue said.
Schwaig also accepted kind regards from the KSU Board of Trustees, the alumni association, the Cobb Board of Commissions, state Rep. Erick Allen, U.S. Rep. Barry Loudermilk, Sens. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff and Gov. Brian Kemp. Schwaig received a particularly heartwarming congratulations from her daughter, who shared how proud she was of her mother’s achievement.
In her speech, Schwaig acknowledged her personal struggles as an undergraduate student and the path that brought her to seek a career in higher education. She expressed profound gratitude for the support of her colleagues and mentors that have uplifted her to this moment.
She notably referred to alumnus Ali Shilatifard, an Iranian immigrant that began his pursuit of academia at KSU. After working a series of on-campus jobs, Shilatifard graduated with a degree in chemistry and a 3.6 GPA. He is now chair of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University and is researching the cure for childhood leukemia.
“At the heart of success is knowing people cared,” Schwaig quoted Shilatifard. “Kennesaw State cared and believed in me, which allowed me to grow up and do great things.”
In her speech, Schwaig outlined her four goals for the university under her direction: making students a priority, supporting and connecting individuals, recognizing the power of community and cultivating an environment to promote expanding research.
“To our students: you are why we are here. you are our hope,” Schwaig said. “The world is waiting for you. Your potential is infinite and we stand in awe as we watch you take flight.”
Schwaig began her 20-year journey at KSU as a professor in 2002. She later received promotions to the positions of KSU’s Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and as Dean of the Michael J. Coles College of Business. On March 15, the Board of Regents of USG named Schwaig as the sixth president of KSU.
A celebration following the ceremony was arranged on the Campus Green. Students tapped in to receive free food and play pop-up carnival games during the event.
On Oct. 15, Schwaig led the President’s Investiture Football game against the University of Central Arkansas at the Fifth Third Bank Stadium which ended 51-24 for the visitors.
