KENNESAW, Ga. | May 8, 2019

Donation funds caps and gowns for graduating students in need

As college graduates make their way across the stage this spring to collect their hard-earned degrees, the pomp and circumstance is a true celebration of perseverance and for some Kennesaw State graduates, a recent gift to the University is helping them achieve that dream.

Henssler Financial has recently given a gift to the University’s Campus Awareness, Resource & Empowerment (CARE) Services, which offers support to students who have experienced homelessness, food insecurity and/or the foster care system. The gift supports the University’s food pantry and assists graduating seniors with the required commencement regalia.

The gift covers the cost of caps and gowns for four graduating students for KSU’s spring commencement, May 7-9, enabling the students to walk across the stage during the ceremony to receive their college degrees.

“We deeply appreciate Henssler Financial for the support of our students and CARE, and without their assistance, our students in need would not be able to fulfill their dream of walking across the stage,” said Marcy Stidum, director of CARE Services. “These students have fought against the odds to overcome so many obstacles, and purchasing one-time use graduation regalia is a luxury some of these students can’t afford,”

Henssler Financial purchased four $100 gift cards to the KSU Bookstore that will allow the students to purchase their caps, gowns, medallions and tassels for the ceremony, as well as graduation announcements if they choose.

“Walking across that stage for a diploma is an accomplishment to be celebrated,” said Pat Henssler, principal at Henssler Financial. “But to do that, they have to buy a gown that they’ll never wear again. These are students who are struggling to eat.” 

In addition to the donation for graduating students, Henssler Financial also supported CARE’s food pantry, which provides food for any Kennesaw State student experiencing food insecurity.

Henssler Financial provided more than 13,700 items for the pantry, including more than 1,600 single-serve beverages, 3,700 packs of crackers, 1,800 packs of ramen and more than 250 toiletry items. Additionally, the Henssler Financial staff donated 12 hours of volunteer time at the CARE Services’ Kennesaw campus office and provided $6,800 to help stock the pantry with fresh vegetables and meat.

KSU’s food pantry, founded in 2006 and managed by CARE Services since 2014, has fed more than 1000 individual students with more than 70,000 pounds of food. According to a recent study from Wisconsin HOPE Lab, nearly 10 percent of KSU students experienced some form of homelessness in 2017, with more than one-third of those having trouble getting enough food to eat daily.

“Henssler Financial’s vision is to invest in others,” said Henssler Financial Chief Operating Officer Stacy Haubenschild. “With so many Kennesaw alumni on staff, it is heartbreaking to learn that nearly 10% of KSU’s students are dealing with some form of homelessness or food insecurity. These are our fellow Owls, potential employees and perhaps even future clients.” 

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.