KENNESAW, Ga. | Sep 20, 2018

Alum supports program with $2.5 million donation

Mickey Dunn, President and CEO of ML Industries, has committed $2.5 million in support of the Kennesaw State University baseball program. It equals the largest one-time single donation and one of the most impactful gifts from an individual donor to the KSU Department of Athletics.

“Teresa and Mickey are simply incredible and their support for Kennesaw State University and KSU Athletics is truly transformative,” Director of Athletics Milton Overton said. “We are so thankful for the tremendous philanthropy and leadership of the Dunn family. Their generosity will have a profound impact across our university and, in particular, in making our shared vision for an exceptional student-athlete experience a reality.”

“Their investment in the baseball program will help continue to make baseball at KSU a first-class experience that student-athletes, coaches, fans and the university community will enjoy for years to come,” Overton added.

Dunn, a graduate of Kennesaw State University, is president and CEO of ML Industries, a leading manufacturer of items such as airbags and automobile seat covers. More than 400 million vehicles on the road carry ML Industries products and the company has over 5,000 employees.

Dunn was inducted into the Southern Polytechnic State University Hall of Fame in 2015, a wing of the KSU Athletics Hall of Fame, after enjoying a standout baseball career for the Hornets from 1978-81 when he earned all-conference and all-district honors.

“We truly appreciate the Dunn’s generous gift, and thank them for their support of the University and the KSU Department of Athletics,” said President Pamela Whitten. "What makes this gift especially heartwarming is that as a Southern Polytechnic student-athlete and a recent graduate of KSU, Mickey’s gift demonstrates how the two universities have come together to catapult KSU to new heights.”

“I would like to say that Kennesaw State University is one of the top universities in the state, as well as the entire country, and I feel extremely blessed and an honored to be a graduate of this wonderful institution,” Dunn said. “After meeting President Pamela Whitten, I am confident the right leadership is in place and there will be many great times ahead for the Owl nation. The momentum that I see with the new leadership, both in the University and the Athletic Department, makes it very easy to donate, as I know the future of this university is in tremendous hands. Milton Overton, Matt Griffin, Mike Sansing, Scott Whitlock and Dr. Randy Kennedy set such a high standard for the KSU Athletic Department and it is exciting to see where this university, and specifically athletics, will be in the next five years. It is also exciting to have a small part of helping a phenomenal baseball coach, Mike Sansing, and the KSU baseball program to become one of the top programs in the country. As a business man and entrepreneur, I have always said that it is exciting to make money but the excitement of making money does not compare to the ability to give it away. I applaud Milton Overton and the entire athletic staff for a job well done at Kennesaw State University. Also, I thank my wife Teresa and my son Matthew for being huge supporters of this decision by the Dunn family to be a major donor to KSU.”

Since the program’s inception in 1984, the Kennesaw State baseball team has captured two national championships (NAIA, 1994; NCAA Division II, 1996), eight regular-season titles, and made 20 postseason appearances, including advancing to the 2014 NCAA Division I Super Regional.

“On behalf of the Kennesaw State baseball program, I want to thank and am extremely appreciative to Mickey Dunn, his wife, Teresa, and family for their generous gift,” head coach Mike Sansing said. “There have been many very special moments in the history of KSU Baseball, and this gift by Mickey and his family stands out to me because of the positive impact it will have on the program and student-athletes for years to come. It is truly a transformative gift that will enhance the experience of future Owls and help our program reach the next level.”

For more information on Kennesaw State athletics, follow @KSUOwlNation on Twitter or like Kennesaw State Owls on Facebook and Instagram.

To learn more about The Owls Fund visit www.ksuowls.com/theowlsfund.

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.