KENNESAW, Ga. | Dec 2, 2020
Kennesaw State University has received a $9 million gift from real estate executive Norman J. Radow and his wife Lindy to benefit the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. It is rare for a public College of Humanities and Social Sciences to be the beneficiary of this level of philanthropy from a single donor.
In recognition of the gift, the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia has approved the naming of the College as the Norman J. Radow College of Humanities and Social Sciences.
The gift, one of the largest contributions from a single donor in Kennesaw State University’s history, includes $2 million to establish the Lindy Radow Humanities and Social Sciences Honors Scholarship Endowment Fund. The Lindy Radow Scholarship will be matched by funds from the KSU Journey Honors Scholarship, to create a Humanities-Honors Scholarship Endowment of $5 million.
In addition to his many years of service to Kennesaw State University and the KSU Foundation, countless hours of volunteerism and vision, Radow has also been a generous donor to other parts of the University. He has personally endowed three named scholarships in the past, including one to benefit students in the Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology, in honor of his father, Paul Radow. The Lindy Radow Scholarship and the Paul Radow Scholarship represent two of the largest student endowments from a single donor in the history of the University.
“The generosity of Norman Radow for the University is already well-established, and this gift will have a tremendous impact for years to come,” said KSU President Pamela Whitten. “His dedication to providing life-changing opportunities to students has made Kennesaw State what it is today, and we are thankful for everything he has done and continues to do for the University.”
Kennesaw State’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences is the largest college at the University, offering more than 80 programs of study for 7,000 of the more than 41,000 graduate and undergraduate students enrolled at the University.
Shawn Long, dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, said, “It is very rare for a College of Humanities to be named through an endowed gift, and we are grateful to Norman and Lindy Radow for their support to help propel our students and the College to new and exciting heights. We look forward to rolling out an ambitious program of educational opportunities for students and groundbreaking research for faculty.”
Norman Radow is the founder and chief executive officer of The RADCO Companies, one of the most respected turnaround real estate companies in the United States. He also served as the chairman of the Kennesaw State University Foundation Board of Trustees. With his direct influence as a trustee and chairman of the board, KSU saw an unprecedented period of expansion, including the development of multiple on-campus residences, building of several parking facilities, acquisition and expansion of office buildings around campus, expansion of The Commons dining facility, development of the football program and expansion of the Sports & Recreation Park.
“Providing new opportunities to students in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences will help them become the future leaders of a changing world,” Radow said. “I am grateful to President Whitten and the Board of Regents for honoring me and celebrating my passion for KSU by attaching my name to one of the largest Colleges of Humanities and Social Sciences in the Southeast.”
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.