KENNESAW, Ga. | Jan 9, 2025

Norman Radow H’23, an esteemed real estate visionary and CEO of The RADCO Companies, and his wife, Lindy, have been instrumental in fostering growth and innovation at Kennesaw State University.

The couple’s profound dedication is more than philanthropy; it is a partnership based on the belief that education enriches lives and builds a better world.

“Lindy and I are both products of public education,” said Norman Radow. “It transformed our lives. Without access to the high-quality education KSU can provide, an entire generation could be lost.”

Throughout the years, the Radows have made it their mission to support KSU in multifaceted ways. Their journey began with a desire to give back and has evolved into a legacy of revolutionary contributions that span scholarships, endowments, and campus enrichment projects.

“Committed philanthropists and visionaries like Norman and Lindy Radow understand the powerful and lasting impact that support can have on individuals, communities, and organizations,” said Kennesaw State President Kathy S. Schwaig. “Their support is woven deeply into KSU, and the proud Radow legacy can be seen and felt in our classrooms, across our campus grounds, and even more so in the lives of the students and proud KSU alumni they have helped succeed.”

In December 2020, the Radows made a landmark $9 million donation to the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. This extraordinary contribution led to the college’s renaming as the Norman J. Radow College of Humanities and Social Sciences.

The gift has empowered the college to expand its academic programs, enhance research opportunities, and support student scholarships, directly impacting thousands of students’ educational journeys.

“When we celebrate the magnitude of Norman and Lindy Radows’ generosity and commitment to this university and to our college, we also want to honor the individual, generational, and life-altering impact they have on each student they support,” said Dean Katie Kaukinen. “For example, the Lindy Radow Honors Scholarship enabled the academic advancement and success of 46 students in the 2024-25 academic year alone. They are fundamentally changing lives and building futures.”

With student success at the forefront of the Radows’ support of KSU, they have established four endowed scholarships designated to fields of study across the university. In 2014, the Radows established the Paul Radow Scholarship program for the Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology to honor the memory of Norman’s father, who was a gifted engineer, and pay homage to the legacy of SPSU after its consolidation with KSU.

Norman and Lindy Radow continue to shape the next generation of innovators and leaders across the university with their other scholarships supporting the study of disciplines within the Norman J. Radow College of Humanities and Social Sciences and College of Architecture and the Construction Management.

The Radows have expanded their legacy in recent years with significant new gifts. In 2021, they endowed the Radow Institute of Social Equity, which seeks to address the challenges of social justice, equity, and economic inequality within our society while developing sustainable solutions to address these challenges.

The following year, they established the Dr. Norman J. Radow Endowed Dean’s Chair of Humanities and Social Sciences. This endowment, awarded to Dean Katie Kaukinen on Aug. 8, 2024, symbolizes a long-term investment in academic excellence and leadership within the college.

Beyond the Radows’ academic support, their generosity also extends to aesthetic and functional enhancements of the KSU campus. Their contributions include funding for campus beautification projects and donations of artwork and furniture to the Norman J. Radow College of Humanities and Social Sciences, creating an enriching environment for students and faculty alike.

Recognizing the importance of athletics in shaping well-rounded student experiences, the Radows’ recent gift of $1 million to the KSU Athletics Capital Campaign will support the development of a state-of-the-art Sports Performance Complex. The new facility will provide student-athletes with advanced resources for training, rehabilitation, and overall wellness, fostering excellence in KSU’s athletics program.

The Radows’ unwavering commitment to Kennesaw State University exemplifies the profound impact philanthropy has on enriching lives and advancing institutions. As KSU continues to grow and evolve, the enduring legacy of the Radow family will undoubtedly serve as a cornerstone of the university’s success and a pillar of inspiration for future generations.

– Story by Elyssa Reed

Photos by Judith Pishnery

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.