Politics
Politics

Sam Olens to interview for Kennesaw State University presidency

By
Oct 3, 2016

Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens will interview Tuesday for president of Kennesaw State University, state officials said.

“There has been speculation about this for some time, and up until now, I have remained silent on the matter. Initially, I was planning to conduct a national search to find the next president of Kennesaw State,” University System of Georgia Chancellor Hank Huckaby said in a statement to KSU students and faculty Monday. “Yet, through sincere and earnest conversations with Mr. Olens, I now believe he should be considered at this time.”

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has reported that there's been speculation for months that Olens may become president of the rapidly-growing Cobb County-based university. Olens was chairman of the Cobb County Board of Commissioners before becoming attorney general in 2011.

Some students have drafted a petition to stop Olens from getting the job, citing his role in defending in court Georgia's same-sex marriage ban.

Gov. Nathan Deal would tap Olens’ replacement if he becomes KSU’s president.

Read Maureen Downey's column about why some at KSU are upset about Olens potentially beoming president.

About the Author

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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