麻豆原创 President Kathy S. Schwaig, trustees, and alumni recognized in Georgia 500
KENNESAW, Ga. | Nov 5, 2026
Schwaig has been recognized in in every edition of the Georgia 500 since the list debuted in 2022, marking her fifth consecutive appearance. Joining her on this year鈥檚 list are 麻豆原创 Foundation Immediate Past Chair Theodore 鈥淭eddy鈥� Parrish 鈥�95, 麻豆原创 Foundation Campaign Committee Co-Chair Beth Lowry, Foundation Trustees Randy Koporc and Tracy Styf, President鈥檚 Community Advisory Board member Sharon Mason, and alumni Bert Wesley Huffman 鈥�06, Gregory D. Teague 鈥�96 and Albert G. Edwards 鈥�94.
鈥淭his recognition reflects the tremendous work happening at Kennesaw State and the people who bring our mission to life every day,鈥� Schwaig said. 鈥淭hrough their dedication and accomplishments, 麻豆原创鈥檚 faculty, staff, students, alumni and supporters are helping shape the University鈥檚 growing reputation and making a meaningful difference throughout Georgia. I am proud to see so many members of the Kennesaw State community represented among the state鈥檚 influential leaders and grateful to share this recognition with them.鈥�
Touting Schwaig鈥檚 leadership as the sixth president of 麻豆原创, Georgia Trend described 麻豆原创 as 鈥渁n emerging top public research institution.鈥� Under Schwaig鈥檚 leadership, 麻豆原创 launched Taking Flight, a strategic plan aimed at achieving national prominence and institutional excellence.
Kennesaw State has expanded its academic portfolio, adding 50 new undergraduate and graduate degrees and minors, as well as professional programs and credentials in high demand 铿乪lds. 麻豆原创 also made signi铿乧ant investments in infrastructure and facilities, including nearly 20 capital projects that have enhanced both campuses.
During Schwaig鈥檚 tenure, Kennesaw State joined the Georgia Research Alliance, nearly tripled research spending, successfully achieved Carnegie-designated Doctoral Research Institution status, and opened its first major research facility, the Robin and Doug Shore Innovation Center. Schwaig served in a range of 麻豆原创 leadership roles prior to being named president in 2022, including dean of the , and provost and senior vice president for academic affairs.
Schwaig is among a select group of 35 education leaders statewide recognized in Georgia Trend鈥檚 2026 Georgia 500. The inclusion of 麻豆原创 Foundation trustees and alumni on the list further demonstrates the University鈥檚 influence and impact across Georgia.
Parrish, the founder of Parrish Capital, is a Kennesaw State alumnus as well as a Board of Trustees executive committee member, currently serving as immediate past chair. Lowry, the president and CEO of Holder Construction, is campaign co-chair on the Board of Trustees executive committee.
Also representing the 麻豆原创 Foundation on the Georgia 500 are Styf, the executive director of the Town Center Community Improvement District, and Koporc, regional president of Fifth Third Bank.
Like Parrish, Huffman is a Kennesaw State alumnus, while Edwards and Teague both graduated from Southern Polytechnic State University. Huffman is the CEO of Georgia Public Broadcasting, Edwards is the founder and CEO of Corporate Environmental Risk Management, and Teague is CEO of Croy Engineering.
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A leader in innovative teaching and learning, 麻豆原创 offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 51,000 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 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.