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Dear Faculty, Staff, and Students: We are about halfway into the spring semester and both campuses are humming with activity. It’s one of the best things about being on a college campus, and I enjoy being able to get out to as many events as possible. A couple of weeks ago, I was on the Marietta Campus and watched our motorsports team race its studentbuilt car against other Southeastern teams in the Fifth Annual Formula South Invitational. While we did not take home the gold, the event did raise scholarship money for KSU engineering students, and that’s always a big win. I have been talking about the importance of increasing the number of women in the STEM fields, so I was particularly excited to attend KSU’s Scientista, an event geared toward high school students. We had more than 65 students on the Marietta Campus who heard from women, including my wife Lisa, about their careers in the STEM fields. In addition, students and their parents had an opportunity to tour our Campus and learn more about KSU’s many STEMrelated degree programs. Thank you and congratulations to everyone involved in helping to make Scientista a success. The dedication and achievement from our faculty, staff and students continues to impress me, and I want to take the opportunity to recognize a few recent accomplishments. Professors Hillary Steiner and Anissa Vega were honored by the University System of Georgia Board of Regents with Excellence in Teaching Awards. Dr. Steiner, associate professor of educational psychology in the Department of FirstYear and Transition Studies, received one of two Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) awards; Dr. Vega, associate professor of Instructional Technology, received a Regents’ Teaching Excellence Award for Online Teaching. Five students on the Coles College of Business’ Student Management Investment Fund team – Erica Moody, Andrew Hedden, Patrick Lim, Eli Hogan and John Foster – won first place in the CFA Institute Research Challenge Southern Classic, a finance and economics competition that KSU hosted this year. They qualified for the North American Championship that will be held in Seattle in April. Our men’s track and field team brought home its sixth consecutive ASUN Conference indoor team championship, and the women’s track team captured its first ASUN indoor championship. Meanwhile, KSU women’s basketball player Carlotta Gianolla was unanimously selected ASUN Freshman of the Year, Deandrea Sawyers was selected second team allconference, and Chloe Branch and Clara Young were named to the allacademic team. Just another reminder, the Kennesaw State University Strategic Thinking and Planning (STP) Committee is asking for your feedback on the Bridge Strategic Plan. The bridge plan will allow time for the thoughtful development of a full, fiveyear strategic plan. If you haven’t already filled out the survey, please take a moment to access this link. The survey will remain open until March 15, 2017. Finally, I was deeply saddened and concerned to hear that last Friday morning we lost a student in another fatal automobile accident. Since November, automobile accidents have claimed the lives of three KSU students – Colin Ruland, Alan MoralesHernandez, and William Gudger. As we grieve the loss of these three young lives, I want to remind you about the importance of safe driving. Please remember to buckle your seat belts and don’t text and drive. Also, take advantage of the defensive driving classes offered through KSU’s Office of Risk Management. You can find out more by calling 4705782460 or email them at [email protected]. Please be safe out there, Owls! Sincerely, Sam Olens President Research and Grants Report The National Science Foundation has awarded $358,803 to biologist Marcus C. Davis for research that ultimately could lead to eradicating limb birth defects and allowing humans to regrow limbs. The National Institutes of Health awarded neuroscientist Martin Hudson $378,561 to research how neuron shape affects function and behavior in the nervous system. The Board of Regents of the University of Georgia, through the U.S. Department of Education, as part of its Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs Georgia Project, has designated $106,321 to Marcy Stidum and K.C. White for Campus Awareness, Resource and Empowerment support services to students who have experienced homelessness or been in the foster care system. The NAHB awarded a Homebuilding Education Leadership Program Grant of $60,000 to Assistant Professor of Construction Management Charner Rogers to create two new courses focusing on sustainability and emerging trends in residential construction. KSU in the News Georgia Public Broadcasting How the peach became a symbol of Georgia Workforce Experience is a big risk with cybersecurity professionals Atlanta Business Chronicle Gender gaps closing for female auditors, but work remains Bloomberg Travel ban won’t hit the U.S. economy, at least this year Marietta Daily Journal Cobb buys Powerball tickets in hopes of winning jackpot My Office Magazine How space affects learning Scientista With a national shortage of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields, Kennesaw State University is aiming its initiatives specifically to introduce more young women to the many opportunities available in STEM. Cuttingedge research Two Kennesaw State University scientists have received a total of $737,364 in National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health grants for developmental biology research into autism and birth defects. A boost for business Kennesaw State University joined Cobb County leaders in opening IgniteHQ, a facility where entrepreneurs can work to make their business ideas come to fruition. Athletics director receives national honors Kennesaw State Director of Athletics Vaughn Williams was named a winner of the 201617 Under Armour Athletics Director of the Year Award by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA). Friends in high places On a day when the Georgia State Capitol was brimming with school children, feted fraternities, standout youth sports teams and thousands of Georgians, Kennesaw State University’s black and gold stood out. It was “KSU Day at the Capitol,” a day when even Gov. Nathan Deal sported a gold tie. Kennesaw State University, Office of the President 1000 Chastain Road, MD0101, Kennesaw, Georgia 30144
