Milestones from 1966 to the Present

1966

In 1963, the Board of Regents approved the establishment of a new junior college in Cobb County, Georgia. Three years later, in the fall of 1966, Kennesaw Junior College officially opened its doors to 1,000 eager students, marking the beginning of a long tradition of academic excellence. Dr. Horace W. Sturgis, the college's first president, led the institution during its formative years, overseeing a period of steady growth and development, achieved several key milestones, including the establishment of its school newspaper, the opening of its new campus, and the awarding of its first degrees. 

From the very beginning, the college demonstrated a strong commitment to student success, exemplified by the launch of the Nursing program under the Division of Natural Science when the school first opened. By the visionary of Charlotte Sachs, the Nursing program was founded. In the years that followed, the college continued to expand its academic offerings. In 1970, Kennesaw introduced an Associate degree in Physical Education, and in 1971, the Associate degree in Recreation was added under the Physical Education division. These programs laid the foundation for the college's ongoing commitment to promoting health, wellness, and community engagement.

1976

Kennesaw Junior College underwent a significant transformation in 1977, becoming a four-year institution and adopting the name KENNESAW COLLEGE. In 1978, Associative degree program in Physical Education discontinued. 

In 1981, Betty Siegel made history by becoming the second president of Kennesaw College and the first female university president in the University System of Georgia. Dr. Siegel's 25-year career at Kennesaw College included many landmark changes for the institution including academic and departmental restructuring, the introduction of master's degree program, the creation of residential living quarters, increasingly high enrollment, and institution’s elevation to university status. Kennesaw College expanded its academic offerings, launching the Bachelor’s degree in Health and Physical Education (K-12) in 1982, followed by the introduction of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1984. These programs were instrumental in shaping the college’s commitment to academic excellence and community health. 

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1985

In the mid-1980s, Kennesaw College embarked on a period of rapid expansion, marked by the launch of its first graduate degree programs. In 1985, Kennesaw College introduced a Bachelor’s degree in Public and Social Services, broadening its academic offerings. By 1988, the college had undergone another significant transformation, being renamed KENNESAW STATE COLLEGE, and discontinuing associate degree programs, with the exception of nursing.

During this time, the Department of Nursing was established under the School of Sciences and Allied Health, and the Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation came under the School of Education. These changes were instrumental in shaping the institution's academic structure and aligning it with its growing focus on health sciences and education.

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1995

In 1993, Department of Public Administration and Human Services forms under SCHOOL OF ARTS AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES (later renamed School of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences). Master of Public Administration degree was offered. In 1995, the department transitioned to the School of Nursing, which had just split from the School of Sciences and Allied Health, marking the establishment of the independent SCHOOL OF NURSING. The MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) introduced Primary Care Nurse Practitioner degree. SCHOOL OF NURSING is established, splitting from School of Sciences and Allied Health. 

Kennesaw State finally achieved University status in 1996 and renamed as KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY. The Kennesaw State's baseball and softball teams won the NCAA Division II national championships. Associative degree program in Nursing ends, as the college shifted its focus to a broader academic offering. The university continued to expand its health-related programs, establishing the Department of Primary Care Nursing in 1998. That same year, the School of Nursing was renamed the COLLEGE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, and the Bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Health Science was introduced.

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2000

The Bachelor’s degree in Sport Management was introduced, further expanding its portfolio in health and sports education. In 2001, the Baccalaureate degree in Public and Social Services was renamed the Bachelor of Science in Human Services, aligning with evolving academic trends and societal needs.

That same year, the Master of Public Administration (MPA) program was transitioned to the Department of Political Science & International Affairs, under the College of Humanities and Social Science. Simultaneously, the Department of Public Administration and Human Services was renamed the Department of Human Services, reflecting its more focused mission. Meanwhile, the Department of Primary Care Nursing was dissolved as the university continued to refine its nursing programs.

In 2002, KSU is offering Web-based Nurse Refresher course in the United States, to help nurses living a distance from the campus. The course meets all the requirements of the Georgia Board of Nursing and is highly student-to-student and student-to-faculty interactive.

In the Fall of 2002, Student Health Clinic is operational in the Nursing Building, focusing on student health at the University.

In 2003, an Masters program in Advanced Care Management and Leadership started which will prepare experienced professional nurses to practice in a variety of leadership positions within the healthcare field. The courses in the program will focus on clinical leadership, ethics, health policy, finance and budgeting, information technology, conflict management, organizational effectiveness, resource allocation and best practices in the healthcare setting. 

A significant milestone in Spring 2003, School of Nursing earns maximum accreditation from CCNE and awarded full approval from the Board of Nursing.

Office of Research and Graduate studies is open and focused in the areas of research ethics, medical and healthcare informatics, complementary and alternative therapies, quality of life, HIV/AIDS, cancer services for elderly, among others.

KSU is the first nursing program in Georgia to add a Human patient simulator as a training tool to its curriculum. Nursing Education Dummy (NED), is the likeness of a 250-pound person and can be programmed to imitate the health conditions of a man or woman. The simulator can mimic the human cardiac, neurological and respiratory systems. It can imitate nearly 70 health scenarios, including a heart attack, lung collapse and a septic shock. NED has realistic features that include eyes that blink and a chest that rises, falls, and produces heart sounds. The simulator also responds to medications and interventions with human physiological responses, such as an increase in pulse rate and/or a decrease in respiratory rate just like an actual person.  Several students indicated it gave them a sense of confidence in their skills before interacting with "real" patients. 

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2004

In 2004, KSU was recognized by the Department of Homeland Security and the National Security Agency as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education.  

College of Health and Human Services becomes WELLSTAR COLLEGE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES in honor of the long-standing commitment and financial support of WellStar Health System Inc. to nursing education programs at Kennesaw State University.  The MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) Primary Care Nurse Practitioner degree renamed as WellStar Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program. MSN Advanced Care Management and Leadership degree first offered. 

In 2005, Master of Social Work (MSW) degree was offered.

 Kennesaw State University, in association with the United States Olympic Committee and the International Labour Organization's Universitas Network, conducted the only U.S. conference included on the agenda of the United Nations' International Year of Sport and Physical Education. Over 500 participants representing 36 countries+ registered for this conference, including numerous distinguished international speakers. The purpose of this conference was to increase awareness of the potential of women's leadership through sport to affect society and to bring together a new generation of leaders to dialogue about sport and social development.

In 2006, Kennesaw State University named its third president, Dr. Daniel S. Papp. For the next nine years, Kennesaw State University continued to grow and thrive, achieving accolades and milestones such as NCAA status, the creation of a football team, and its first doctoral programs. 

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2008

In 2008, MS Applied Exercise and Health Science degree was offered. 

Department of Human Services renamed the Department of Social Work and Human Services.

GA Board of Regents approved a Doctorate of Nursing Science (DNS) for the WellStar School of Nursing at KSU. This demonstrates KSU can deliver high-quality doctoral education. 

The Department of Social Work and Human Services received their initial accreditation for the Masters of Social Work Program.

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2010

WellStar college of Health and Human Services has its new Health Sciences Building, The Prillman Hall. This approximately 200,000 square-foot building provides a new home for the WellStar College's Administration, School of Nursing, the Department of Social Work and Human Services, and a significant component the Department of Health, Physical Education, and Sport Science. The building provides the departments of WellStar College with new educational space.

Kennesaw State University and the WellStar College of Health & Human Services announced the opening of a new KSU Community Health Clinic at MUST Ministries in Marietta. It is a non-profit , community-based clinic and offers accessible, affordable, and quality health care to individuals and families. 

Dr. Betty Siegel, KSU President at that time, recognized the potential of the WellStar College by making a new health sciences building the first priority for new construction on the KSU campus. When Dr. Dan Papp became the President of KSU, he was able to obtain State funding for the building and took the required steps to secure the private funding needed to make the building a reality. He has also empowered faculty and staff to take a major role in designing the building.  

Dr Robert Lipson, CEO of the WellStar Health System, took leadership in endowing the College of Health and Human Services. This partnership was a giant step in moving the College forward and enhancing its significant educational and community contributions. 

Mr. Bob Prillman, KSU Foundation Trustee, whose name is on the new Health Sciences Building. He has been an advocate and active participant in the funding of the new building. He continues to work closely with the College to advance WellStar aspirations.

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2015

In 2013, BS Culinary Sustainability and Hospitality comes under Wellstar College.

In January of 2015, Kennesaw State University merged with Southern Polytechnic State University, making Kennesaw State University the third largest school in the University System of Georgia. 

Department of Health, Physical Education and Sport Science splits into Department of Exercise Science and Sport Management and Department of Health Promotion and Physical Education 

Institute for Culinary Sustainability and Hospitality is no longer under WellStar college and renamed Michael A. Leven Department of Culinary Sustainability and Hospitality and joins Coles college of Business.

In 2016, BS Public Health Education degree was offered

In 2018, the university launched its MSW/MBA dual degree, combining social work and business administration to create a unique interdisciplinary program. 

In the same year, Kennesaw State awarded Carnegie R2 Classification. There has been a substantial increase in new external funding and in the number of external awards received. This trend parallels growth in the KSU research infrastructure and commitment to undergraduate research opportunities.  

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2020

BS Integrated Health Science degree was offered 

In 2021, Master of Science in Prosthetics and Orthotics (MSPO) degree was first offered

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