KENNESAW, Ga. | Oct 18, 2023

Longtime supporters Gene and Pat Henssler leave a lasting impact in the classroom and on the field.

Gene Henssler served as a professor of finance at Kennesaw State from 1986 to 1996 and now holds the title of Professor Emeritus of Finance. He founded Henssler Financial, a financial planning and money management firm. The Kennesaw-based firm has employed numerous KSU graduates and offers valuable internship experiences to current students.

Pat Henssler earned her CPA after studying at Kennesaw State. She is now a Tax & Business Consultant with Henssler CPAs & Advisers, LLC.

Over the years, the Hensslers have provided more than $4 million in financial support to KSU. In 2002, the Hensslers established the Henssler Financial Group Annual Finance Scholarship to provide financial relief for single parents majoring in finance.

Four years later, The Henssler Financial Group made a significant contribution to establish the Student Managed Investment Fund in the Michael J. Coles College of Business. The fund continues to provide KSU students with real-time, hands-on experience in investment and portfolio management. In 2011, the Henssler Trading Room was named in honor of the Hensslers as the fund’s first benefactors.

In 2018, the Hensslers made a $500,000 gift to establish the Henssler Financial Endowed Chair. The couple has also created two scholarships to support student participation in the University’s study-abroad programs in Japan and Italy and donated to the Department of Athletics.

“Pat and Gene Henssler are an integral part of the fabric of KSU,” said Kennesaw State President Kathy Schwaig. “Their friendship and partnership provide the perfect examples of how relationships can have a huge impact across decades. Pat and Gene care about our students and their futures. It’s really that simple. I am so grateful to Pat and Gene for their commitment to excellence and for their generous support of KSU in the classroom and in athletics.”

Recently, Henssler Financial supported KSU Athletics through a generous $2 million gift to provide financial support for the new baseball stadium.

“The baseball program at KSU has a history of creating leaders on the field and in the community,” explained Gene. “We could not miss the opportunity to show these students how proud we are of KSU Athletics.”

“We believe the athletic programs will continue to flourish and produce champions,” added Pat. “Our commitment allows them to play in championship-quality facilities.”

The construction of the new baseball stadium, approved by the Board of Regents in September 2023, includes a complete overhaul of the existing stadium. The enhancements will include the installation of a new turf playing surface, improved lighting and fencing, expanded seating capacity, and new dugouts, press/media areas, and concessions.

Kennesaw State alumnus and Board of Trustees member Bil Lako explained the culture of the University and the leadership within KSU Athletics is what encourages Henssler Financial to remain an active partner in the KSU community.

“We are delighted to be a part of KSU’s current and future success,” Lako said. “When you interact with the coaches and staff at Kennesaw State, you can tell they truly believe in the success of their student-athletes. That energy is contagious, and we love being a part of the KSU team.”

- By Elyssa Reed