Kennesaw State University ending culinary degree program

Kennesaw State University is ending its Culinary Sustainability and Hospitality degree, two years after receiving the largest single donor gift in the university’s history for the program.

“The university believes that there are more opportunities for our students with a major that has an increased focused on the business elements surrounding hospitality,” KSU officials explained.

KSU has 225 majors in the program, spokeswoman Tammy DeMel said. Students currently in the program can work to complete their degree through 2021, according to an update on the university's website. The web page does not offer details about what happens to students who do not complete their degree by 2021.

Some opposed to the decision have created a Facebook page called "Save Kennesaw CSH" to keep the program.

The bachelor’s degree program began at KSU in 2013, with goals of emphasizing food science, nutritional analysis, resource conservation, and essential business skills.

Longtime hospitality executive and Georgia Aquarium CEO Michael Leven agreed in 2015 to donate $5 million to KSU for the program.

In other KSU news:

Cheerleaders from Kennesaw State University discuss their kneeling protests and the university administration's reaction.

About the Author

Eric Stirgus

Eric Stirgus joined The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2001. He is the newsroom's education editor. Born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., Eric is active in the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists and the Education Writers Association and enjoys mentoring aspiring journalists.

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