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KENNESAW, Ga. (February 27, 2014) – The Kennesaw State University Department of Athletics and Henssler Financial announced today a multi-year agreement that will provide significant financial support to KSU’s Department of Athletics and its student-athletes.
“Gene and Pat Henssler are valued friends of Kennesaw State University with a long history of helping students,” said Daniel S. Papp, president of Kennesaw State University. “Their gift today is another example of their dedication to student success and the future growth of the University.”
Under the terms of the arrangement, Henssler Financial will contribute $525,000 over seven years and will support several leadership and academic initiatives within the Department of Athletics including the renaming of the OWLS Champions Initiative – “OWLS Champions Initiative presented by Henssler Financial.”
“Pat and I truly excited to enter into this partnership with Kennesaw State Athletics. It is my belief that it is imperative to support higher education and sports by investing in our community’s future leaders,” said Gene Henssler, President of Henssler Financial. “We believe in the outstanding young people who attend Kennesaw State and to be part of this Initiative that benefits the student-athletes is one we are proud to support.”
The OWLS Champions Initiative presented by Henssler Financial is an over-arching program that reflects the university’s commitment to invest in the lives of Kennesaw State University student-athletes in such a way as to foster not only academic and athletic excellence, but to impact their development mentally, socially, vocationally and even spiritually.
Kennesaw State student-athletes continue to excel in the classroom, in the community and in competition, and the mission of the Department of Athletics is to ensure that all student-athletes continue to develop as champions and become true servant leaders. The ultimate goal of the program is to provide an environment that will enable Kennesaw State University student-athletes to become champions for a life.
“Educating our student-athletes and preparing them to graduate and acquire a vocation is the number one priority of the Department of Athletics, Kennesaw State Director of Athletics Vaughn Williams said. “Having a partner in Henssler Financial who truly shares in this vision for all students at Kennesaw State could not have been a more perfect fit.
“Pat and Gene have supported these initiatives across campus and we are truly excited to have them join in our mission to continue investing in our student-athletes as they strive to become champions in the classroom, in the community and in competition.”
ABOUT KENNESAW STATE ATHLETICS: Kennesaw State University sponsors 18 intercollegiate athletic sports and competes at the NCAA Division I level. Seventeen Owls teams compete in the Atlantic Sun Conference. Football will play at the NCAA Division I Football Championship Series (FCS )level and compete as an associate member of the Big South Conference beginning in 2015. KSU has won a total of six national championships at the NAIA and NCAA Division II levels. Kennesaw State became an NCAA Division I member prior to the 2005-06 athletics season.
ABOUT KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY: Kennesaw State University is the third-largest university in Georgia, offering 80 graduate and undergraduate degrees, including doctorates in education, business and nursing, and a new Ph.D. in international conflict management. A member of the 35-unit University System of Georgia, Kennesaw State is a comprehensive, residential institution with a growing population of 24,600 students from more than 130 countries.
