Signature Events

At Kennesaw State, traditions and signature events tell our shared story to bring us together as an engaged and caring community. Through campus traditions such as Week of Welcome, Slap the Rock, Scrappy Hour, Homecoming, Pumpkin Launch, and KSU Day, students learn about what connects and grounds us as a campus community, inspiring their own journey of self-discovery and purpose.

Weeks of Welcome

Join the KSU community and participate in several exciting events to kick off the new semester! All Weeks of Welcome events are free to current students upon presenting a Talon Card. It is a great opportunity to check  lots of items off your Scrappy's Bucket List. 

ksu students at the marietta campus by the globe taking a picture with scrappy.
Scrappy with the homecoming parliament winner

Homecoming

Experience the excitement of KSU's Homecoming #KSUHOCO - a week filled with spirited celebrations, Owl Cup competitions, Homecoming Parliment, and a true sense of community. Don your school colors, join the festivities, and create lasting memories with friends. Hooty Hoo! 

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Pumpkin Launch

Pumpkin Launch, a Kennesaw State University event that began over a decade ago, is a fierce competition for mechanical engineering students in the Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology (SPCEET). Spectators can watch teams launch their pumpkins from trebuchets across the Marietta Soccer Field to see who can smash their pumpkins the furthest.

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ksu students at the pumpkin launch event.
Students playing quiditch during geek week.

Geek Week

Welcome to Geek Week, a celebration of all the joy that comes from gaming, robots, cosplay, math, comics and more! Each year, Kennesaw State hosts a number of events, including Owl Con, across both campuses that seek to engage the inner and outer geeks among the KSU community. All events are free for students and most are open to community members as well.

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KSU Day

Spring is more than a time for finals and commencement, it’s also time for the KSU community to gather and celebrate with a pair of fun days of activities – KSU Day. KSU Day dates to the early days of the institution when it was known as Kennesaw Junior College.

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students on the ferris wheel at ksu day.

Student Affairs Awards

In 2016, the Division created the Student Affairs Awards Ceremony to honor their outstanding achievements and recognize exemplary commitment to Kennesaw State University. The Student Affairs mission states, “our students will achieve success through practical application of knowledge by becoming engaged ethical leaders who serve their local and global communities.” The ceremony is the embodiment of that practical application and provides an opportunity to applaud the success of many individuals and programs.

Student Affairs Student Awards & Selection Criteria

The Student Affairs Student Awards consists of four categories-leadership, connections and belonging, civic engagement, and community and school spirit. Each category will have an award recipient for one student, one student group (registered student organization, fraternity, sorority, intramural team, club sport team, group sponsored by a department), and one program/event. 

The minimum qualifications for all nominees include: good academic standing (student), good standing with regard to conduct (student, student organization/group), good standing with sponsoring department (student organization/group).

Nominations for 2024 Student Affairs Student Leadership Awards are now open. Use the Owl Life form to nominate a student or student group. Nominations close March 8th, 2024 at 12 pm EST. 

Student Awards nomination form

For more information about each award and the selection criteria, please see below.

Awards

  • This award is designed to recognize one student, student group, and event/program which best exemplifies the Division's emphasis on leadership development. Strong nominees for this award will demonstrate the following behaviors and accomplishments:

    • Positions held within organization/group
    • Positive impact within organization/group
    • Created sustained legacy
  • This award was created to celebrate one student, student group, and event/program that has a genuine dedication to contribute to a more diverse and inclusive campus. Strong nominees for this award will demonstrate the following behaviors and accomplishments:

    • Demonstrating cultural awareness and competence
    • Encouraging a sense of belonging among peers
    • Commitment to an inclusive community

    All student nominees will be considered for the Student of the Year or Emerging Leader of the Year. All student group nominees will be considered for the Student Group of the Year award. All event nominees will be considered for the Student Event of the Year award.

  • This award acknowledges one student, student group, and event/program that models extraordinary commitment to voluntary service on campus and int he greater local and global community. Strong nominees for this award will demonstrate the following behaviors and accomplishments:

    • Volunteering with intent for social change
    • Advocating for social issues within campus and the surrounding community
    • Demonstrating a strong sense of civic duty and democratic engagement

    All student nominees will be considered for the Student of the Year or Emerging Leader of the Year. All student group nominees will be considered for the Student Group of the Year award. All event nominees will be considered for the Student Event of the Year award.

  • This award is presented to one student, student group, and event/program that devoted time and passion to exhibiting the vision and values of Kennesaw State University while contributing to an engaging dynamic campus culture. Strong nominees for this award will demonstrate the following behaviors and accomplishments:

    • Support for campus programs, events, and initiatives
    • Increasing a sense of school spirit among peers
    • Inspire and renew pride in campus community

    All student nominees will be considered for the Student of the Year or Emerging Leader of the Year. All student group nominees will be considered for the Student Group of the Year award. All event nominees will be considered for the Student Event of the Year award.

  • This award is presented to one student, student group, and event/program that demonstrates a commitment to innovative programming, ideas, and initiatives for the student body. Strong nominees for this award will demonstrate the following behaviors and accomplishments:

    • Providing new and exciting program, initiative, or project for the campus community
    • Partnering with another group to implement program, initiative, or project
    • Finding creative methods for meaningful student engagement within organization

    All student nominees will be considered for the Student of the Year or Emerging Leader of the Year. All student group nominees will be considered for the Student Group of the Year award. All event nominees will be considered for the Student Event of the Year award.

  • This award is given annually to a junior, senior, or graduate student who has demonstrated outstanding overall service and scholarship for the benefit of the Kennesaw State community during their collegiate career. The ideal nominee will have demonstrated a profound commitment to the Division of Student Affairs values of Integrity, Inclusion, Community, Discovery, and Civility.
  • This award is bestowed annually upon a first- or second-year student who has shown dedication to involvement in the Kennesaw State community. The ideal nominee will have demonstrated initiation, motivation, and potential for student leadership. 
  • This award is given annually to a student group that is true to its stated mission and works hard to live out its purpose on campus. In addition, this is an inclusive organization which has excelled in the recruitment and retention of its membership, provided consistent means of leadership development, collaborated with other student groups, and participated in KSU programming. The ideal nominee will have demonstrated a profound commitment to the Division of Student Affairs values of Integrity, Inclusion, Community, Discovery, and Civility. 
  • This award is presented annually to the Kennesaw State employee who advises/supervises a student group. The ideal nominee will have demonstrated exceptional organizational advisement, personal mentoring, and leadership development among students. 
  • This award is given annually to an event/program that embodies Kennesaw State spirit through its commitment to leadership development, collaboration among groups, and programmatic efforts to enhance the quality of campus life. The ideal nominee will have a profound connection to the Division of Student Affairs values of Integrity, Inclusion, Community, Discovery, and Civility.

Previous Winners

  • RECIPIENT AWARD
    Emory Roy  Civic Engagement Award, Student
    EcoOwls Civic Engagement Award, Student Group
    Yoshi Castro Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion, Student
    Student Nurses Association  Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion, Group
    Brown Sound and Latin Soul, hosted by Sigma Lambda Upsilon Señoritas Latinas Unidas Sorority, Inc.  Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion, Event/Program
    Sahil Bardai Community and School Spirit, Student
    Adopt-A-Stream Community and School Spirit, Group
    Sofia Torres Emerging Leader Award
    Astrid Cuellar Benitez  Innovation, Student
    Public Relations Student Society of America Innovation, Group
    Nicole Brock Student Affairs Leadership
    Salsa with the Señoritas, hosted by Sigma Lambda Upsilon/ Señoritas Latinas Unidas Sorority, Inc Student Program of the Year
    The Night Owls Student Group of the Year
    Leslie Holmes Minor, Student Nursing Association  Student Group Advisor of the Year
    Ryan Waltman Student Leader of the Year
  • RECIPIENT AWARD
    JayP Powell Civic Engagement Award, Student
    Thomas Cassidy Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion, Student
    Black Musicians Coalition Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion, Group
    The Blueprint Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion, Event/Program
    Jake Stevens Community and School Spirit, Student
    Black Storm Cheer Squad Community and School Spirit, Group
    Sabrina Ridgley-Thornton Innovation, Student
    Esports and Gaming Club Innovation, Group
    Frankie Berryman Student Affairs Leadership
    The Blueprint Student Program of the Year
    Black Musicians Coalition Student Group of the Year
    Chuck Colin Student Group Advisor of the Year
    Zae Brewer Emerging Leader
    Thomas Cassidy Student Leader of the Year
  • RECIPIENT AWARD
    Karen DSouza Student of the Year
    Sigma Lambda Upsilon Organization of the Year
    "Students' Voices" hosted by K-Pop Club and Korean Language Club Event of the Year
    Maya Parr Student Affairs Leadership Award, Student
    Student Government Association Student Affairs Leadership Award, Organization
    Amani Johnson Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion Award, Student
    International Student Association Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion Award, Organization
    Havan Temesghen Civic Engagement Award, Student
    Civic Engagement Team Civic Engagement Award, Organization
    Eunice Cuffie Community and School Spirit Award, Student
    Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Community and School Spirit Award, Organization