KENNESAW, Ga. | Dec 3, 2024

Recognizing the vital role families play in the lives of their college students, Kennesaw State University’s Division of Student Affairs (DSA) recently awarded the Banks family of Kennesaw the inaugural Family of the Year distinction.

Following a monthlong nomination and review process, first-year anthropology student Julia Banks and her family were selected by DSA staff to be honored during Family Weekend. Julia was joined by her mother, Jennifer; father, Brandon; and siblings Brynn and Sawyer; in an on-field recognition Nov. 23 during Kennesaw State’s final home football game of the season.

Julia credits her parents as her primary source of inspiration. A 2007 KSU graduate, Jennifer held a then-toddler Julia during her commencement ceremony after completing her degree with honors. Her father, a Southern Polytechnic State University alumnus, and her siblings have also been steadfast supporters in her pursuit of a college degree.

Through the encouragement of her family, Julia has become deeply ingrained in the KSU culture. Beyond participating in campus events like Scrappy Hour as a member of FLIGHT 28, she is a KSU Journey Honors College student and belongs to the President’s Emerging Global Scholars (PEGS) cohort.

“It is such a privilege and a joy to have a family that loves, cares, and supports me no matter what, and that’s something for which I’m most grateful,” Julia said. “I’m especially grateful for the fact that my parents drop me off on campus every day.”

For Jennifer, showing Julia around campus felt like a full-circle moment. She experienced flashbacks to her senior year of college and watching Julia take some of her first steps around the Campus Green. From moving into the Austin Residential Complex on opening day to watching the Convocation Center slowly become part of the campus skyline, Jennifer has always felt that KSU was home.

“I’m honored that Julia was swayed by my enthusiasm about Kennesaw State, but she’s really blazing her own trail,” said Jennifer, who earned her Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education.

A criminology minor, Julia is deeply interested in exploring the medicolegal side of forensic anthropology and pursuing her life’s mission of giving a voice to the victims of violent crimes.

“Often, skeletal remains are seen as ‘less human’ or ‘less important’ because they do not have the attributes of living people,” she said. “I refute that point. Skeletons are literally our framework. There’s nothing more human than that.”

The Family of the Year initiative, housed within Parent and Family Programs, was launched to recognize the contributions families make toward their student’s success. Elisabeth Dilling, associate director of Parent and Family Programs, said that it also urges students to reflect and show appreciation to their support systems.

“What stood out to me throughout this process were the heart-felt words our students shared about their families,” she said. “It was the deep appreciation from the students nominating their families that showed us they understood the goal of this initiative.”

Next year, Parent and Family Programs looks to expand participation in the program to share more personal stories of students during Family Weekend programming.

– Story by Travis Highfield

Photos provided

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.