Kennesaw State University President Kathy Schwaig was recently presented with the Mack Henderson Public Service Award by the Cobb Chamber of Commerce for her efforts to make the community a better place.

“Under her leadership, Kennesaw State University is helping students find their passion and purpose to experience success,” Cobb Chamber leaders wrote about Schwaig following the organization’s 81st Annual Dinner on Jan. 28. “She has placed focused attention on enrollment growth, the University’s research infrastructure, and engaging first-year students. Dr. Schwaig also relaunched a business incubator. HatchBridge welcomes innovators from throughout the community and offers access to courses, funding opportunities, mentors, office space, and networking all tailored to start-ups.”

Schwaig accepted the award from Britt Fleck, immediate past chair of the Chamber’s board of directors.

“Kennesaw State and the Cobb County community are a symbiotic success story, contributing collectively to making this a great place to live and work for all of us,” Schwaig said. “I’m grateful and humbled to receive this award named for one of Cobb’s great public servants, and I share it with everyone in the KSU family.”

Schwaig has served Kennesaw State for more than 20 years, beginning on the faculty and then serving in several leadership roles before being named president in March 2022.

Henderson was a beloved and longtime Cobb County business and civic leader, who had served as chair of the Kennesaw State University Foundation among many roles during decades of public service. Henderson passed away last summer at the age of 94. 

The award was among several presented at the dinner before an audience of 1,100 at the Cobb Galleria Centre.