View source for Southern Polytechnic State University

{{Short description|Former state university in Marietta, Georgia, US}}
{{Primary sources|date=May 2010}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2025}}
{{Infobox university
|name         = Southern Polytechnic State University
|image   = SPSUlogo.png
|image_alt    = Official logo of Southern Polytechnic State University
|founder      = [[Blake R. Van Leer]]
|caption      = 
|motto        = Imagination, Innovation, Application<ref name="tmp_style_guide">Temporary Style Guide. Marietta, GA: Southern Polytechnic State University. PDF.</ref>
|established  = 1948<ref name="usnews">"Southern Polytechnic State University." ''U.S. News & World Report Report LP'', 2012. Retrieved 11 Aug. 2014. <{{cite web |url=http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/southern-polytechnic-1570 |title=Southern Polytechnic State University &#124; Southern Polytechnic &#124; Best College &#124; US News |access-date=2015-03-28 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402103320/http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/southern-polytechnic-1570 |archive-date=2015-04-02 }}>.</ref>
|closed  = 2015
|type         = [[Public university|Public]]
|endowment    = US$3.1 million (2012)<ref name="usnews"/>
|faculty      = 226 full-time (fall 2013)<ref name="navigator">Institute of Education Sciences, Retrieved 7 Mar 2012, http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=141097</ref><br />96 part-time (Fall 2013)<ref name="navigator"/>
|students     = 6,238 (spring 2014)<ref name="usg_stat">BOARD OF REGENTS UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OF GEORGIA Retrieved 5 Aug 2014, http://www.usg.edu/research/documents/enrollment_reports/SER_Spring_2014_Final.pdf</ref>
|undergrad    = 5,410 (spring 2014)<ref name="usg_stat"/>
|postgrad     = 802 (spring 2014)<ref name="usg_stat"/>
|other        = 26 (spring 2014)<ref name="usg_stat"/>
|city         = [[Marietta, Georgia]]
|country      = U.S.
|coor         = {{coord|33|56|32|N|84|31|15|W|display=inline|type:edu}}
|campus       = Suburban (230+ acres)<ref name="NGE">Watson, Ann S. "New Georgia Encyclopedia." Georgia Humanities Council, 10 Dec. 2004. Retrieved 10 Mar. 2012. <http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?id=h-1429>.</ref>
|former_names = The Technical Institute (1948–1949),<br />Southern Technical Institute (1949–1987),<br />Southern College of Technology (1987–1996)
|colors       = {{color box|#006600}} {{color box|#ffffff}} Green and White 
|athletics_affiliations = [[Southern States Athletic Conference]]
|sports_nickname = Runnin' Hornets
|mascot       = Sting
|affiliations = [[University System of Georgia]]
|logo         = 
|website      = {{URL|https://web.archive.org/web/20141229192615/http://spsu.edu/|spsu.edu}}
|footnotes     = President Emerita: [[Lisa Rossbacher|Dr. Lisa Rossbacher]]<ref name="spsu_prez">SPSU President Emerita, Retrieved 11 Aug 2014, http://www.spsu.edu/presidentemerita/</ref>
}}

'''Southern Polytechnic State University''' (also called '''Southern Poly'''; abbreviated '''SPSU''') was a [[public university|public]], co-educational, [[state university]] in [[Marietta, Georgia]], United States approximately {{convert|20|mi}} northwest of downtown Atlanta.  Until 2015, it was an independent part of the [[University System of Georgia]] and called itself "Georgia's Technology University."<ref name="mission">"University Mission." Southern Polytechnic State University Marietta, Georgia. Retrieved 01 May 2012. [http://www.spsu.edu/aboutus/univmission.htm].</ref>

Southern Tech was founded in 1948 as '''The Technical Institute''' in [[Chamblee, Georgia]] by [[Blake R. Van Leer]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Georgia Tech Football Preview Kennesaw State |url=https://www.fromtherumbleseat.com/2021/7/23/22589698/georgia-tech-football-opponent-previews-kennesaw-state |access-date=23 July 2021}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite book|url=https://soar.kennesaw.edu/bitstream/handle/11360/1974/sp-51-03-spsuhist-20161026.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y|title=Southern Polytechnic State University: The History|last=Bennett|first=Richard A.|publisher=Southern Polytechnic State University Foundation|year=1998}}</ref> The first classes were held with 116 students. It was renamed the '''Southern Technical Institute''' in 1949 and moved to its present campus in Marietta, Georgia in 1962. It went through another name change in 1987 and became the '''Southern College of Technology'''. In the summer of 1996, the university adopted its [[Institute of technology|polytechnic]] name. It was one among a small group of [[Institute of Technology (United States)#Polytechnic universities|polytechnic universities in the United States]] that tend to be primarily devoted to the instruction of technical arts and applied sciences.<ref>{{cite news |title=Points of Distinction |url=http://www.dsa.csupomona.edu/visitors/Distinction.asp |access-date=20 September 2012 |agency=Admissions & Outreach Office at [[Cal Poly Pomona]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120821165807/http://www.dsa.csupomona.edu/visitors/Distinction.asp |archive-date=21 August 2012 }}</ref>

On November 1, 2013, plans were announced by the [[Georgia Board of Regents]] for Southern Polytechnic and [[Kennesaw State University]] to be consolidated into one university.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kennesaw State, Southern Poly to merge |url=http://www.ajc.com/news/news/kennesaw-state-southern-poly-to-merge/nbfMT/ |access-date=1 November 2013|agency=Atlanta Journal-Constitution}}</ref>  On January 6, 2015, the Georgia Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia approved the consolidation of Southern Poly and Kennesaw State, with Kennesaw State as the surviving institution. On July 1, 2015, Kennesaw State established the '''Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology''' in honor of the former SPSU.

== History ==

===Establishment===
{{original research section|date=March 2012}}
[[File:Kennesaw State University, Marietta Campus 1.jpg|right|thumb|Globe]]
After World War II, the need for technicians spiked due to a major economic shift in Georgia from being a largely agricultural state to one that is more industry heavy.<ref>The Macon Telegraph, 3 March 1948</ref> The new industries required technicians to bridge the growing gap between engineers and craftsmen, effectively the gap between research/development and building/implementing. At the time, most technical institutes in the United States were in the northeastern states; thus the need for a technical institute in the south was great.<ref>W. L. Hughes, "A Brief Chronology of the Technical Institute Movement in America." The American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE), 1947.</ref>

In response to the growing demand, the president of the [[Georgia Institute of Technology]], Colonel [[Blake R. Van Leer]], sought to establish a technical institute program in Georgia. In 1945 he was approached by the [[Associated Industries of Georgia]] (AIG) who shared their common desire to have such a program and offered Van Leer their support. It took years for Van Leer to convince the Board of Regents to give Georgia Tech authorization to establish a technical institute. On October 8, 1947, the authorization was granted. The location chosen for the fledgling institute was a Naval Air Station in Chamblee, GA, which eventually became the site of [[DeKalb–Peachtree Airport]].<ref name=":0"/>{{Rp|1}} The first director was to be Professor Lawrence V. Johnson, and it was going to open under the name of '''The Technical Institute'''.<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|4}} On March 24, 1948, The Technical Institute held registration for the spring quarter and 116 students enrolled (all but 10 World War&nbsp;II veterans), including one young woman named Barbara Hudson.<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|19,23}}<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://engineering.kennesaw.edu/about/history.php|title=KSU {{!}} Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology - History|website=engineering.kennesaw.edu|language=en|access-date=2018-01-09}}</ref> The institute had a staff of 12.<ref name=":1" />

===Progression===
In 1949, The Technical Institute became the '''Southern Technical Institute''' and was recognized as a college-level school by the [[U.S. Department of Education]].<ref name="history">{{cite web|url=http://www.spsu.edu/aboutus/history.htm|title=History|work=spsu.edu|access-date=8 May 2015}}</ref> Twelve years later, the college migrated to its present campus in [[Marietta, Georgia]], which was previously part of [[Dobbins Air Reserve Base]].{{Citation needed|date=March 2012}} The [[General Lucius D. Clay National Guard Center]] (then known as Naval Air Station Atlanta) also moved to the opposite (south) end of Dobbins Air Reserve Base around the same time.<ref name="history"/> In 1961, Hoyt McClure was named acting director and led the movement to build eight new buildings on {{convert|120|acre}} of land.

The Southern Technical Institute became [[accreditation|accredited]] as a four-year college in 1970 and was one of the first colleges in the nation to offer the [[bachelor's degree|Bachelor]] of [[Engineering Technology]] degree. It also earned independence in the University System of Georgia, separating ties with Georgia Tech. In the summer of 1980, the college officially became the fourteenth senior college and the thirty-third independent unit of the University System of Georgia.<ref name="history"/> The college's first president, Dr. Stephen R. Cheshier of [[Purdue University]], was named in that same year. He saw the college through two name changes &mdash; '''Southern College of Technology''' (often called '''Southern Tech''') in 1987 and '''Southern Polytechnic State University''' in the summer of 1996, when the school became a university. Dr. Cheshier retired as president of the university in June 1997. Dr. [[Daniel S. Papp]] served as interim president from July 1997 to August 1998, when the university welcomed Dr. [[Lisa Rossbacher]], formerly of [[Dickinson College]], as its president.<ref name="history"/>

In 2005, [[Georgia Highlands College]] established a satellite campus hosted on the SPSU campus.<ref>[https://www.highlands.edu/campus-locations/marietta-site/ Marietta Site | Georgia Highlands College]. Retrieved December 21, 2018.</ref>

=== USG Merger ===
Eleven days before its planned vote, the Georgia Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia announced plans to consolidate Southern Polytechnic State University and Kennesaw State University into one university.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2013/11/06/secret-merger-now-public-meets-opposition-georgia|title=Secret merger, now public, meets opposition in Georgia|access-date=2016-10-31}}</ref>  Given that public comments are only allowed with fifteen days notice the Regents consolidation plans were perceived as a deceitful and secretive move by faculty and students. The presidents of the two universities were not told of the consolidation plans until "a week and a half" before the public announcement. Reasons given for the consolidation effort focused on cost savings despite the merger of eight other colleges into four only saving an estimated 0.1%.{{Citation needed|reason=savings estimated by?|date=September 2018}}

=== Post-consolidation ===
Since the completion of the merger several scandals have plagued the newly augmented Kennesaw State. Less than two years after the consolidation President Dan Papp announced that he was stepping down as president of the university.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.myajc.com/news/news/local-education/ksu-president-dan-papp-retiring-after-a-decade-of-/nrLdR/|title=KSU president announces retirement|last=Journal-Constitution|first=Janel Davis - The Atlanta|access-date=2016-11-01}}</ref> His replacement, Sam Olens, was appointed amidst controversy over his total lack of education experience or background.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.ajc.com/news/local-education/sam-olens-named-kennesaw-state-university-president/GjtASynzfeHYKNLj569ovN/|title=Sam Olens named Kennesaw State University president|last=Stirgus|first=Eric|newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|access-date=2016-11-01}}</ref> This appointment came on the heels of an audit that revealed that outgoing president Papp had violated financial policy in receiving more than a half million dollars in early retirement payment.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.myajc.com/news/news/local-education/ex-ksu-chief-dan-papp-violated-financial-policy-au/nrZZ9/|title=Ex-KSU chief Dan Papp violated financial policy, audit finds|last=Journal-Constitution|first=Janel Davis - The Atlanta|access-date=2016-11-01}}</ref> Before Papp's retirement announcement a seven-figure embezzlement scheme was uncovered and five KSU staffers and contractors were arrested.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theksusentinel.com/2013/04/16/five-suspects-arrested-one-still-missing-in-fraud-investigation/|title=Five Suspects Arrested, One Still Missing, in Fraud Investigation|date=2013-04-16|website=The Sentinel|access-date=2016-11-01}}</ref> The amount lost equated to nearly 15% of the merger-based savings of 2013.

==Campus==

;Student housing
:Dormitory facilities were provided at Southern Tech's first location in Chamblee, Georgia. They were created from former bachelor officers' quarters in facilities leased from the Atlanta Naval Air Station. When the campus moved in Marietta, housing was provided in residences originally built to house employees at the [[United States Air Force Plant 6|Bell Bomber plant]] (now the [[Lockheed Martin]] facility). The facilities were at that time being managed by the Marietta Housing Authority as low-income residences and were known as "Marietta Place." Construction for the Marietta campus' first dormitory began in 1964. The campus dormitories housed only men until 1974, when one end of the fourth floor of Howell dormitory was renovated for use by female students.<ref name=":0"/>

:At the time of its merger with Kennesaw State University, Southern Polytechnic State University had five on-campus housing facilities for its students. These were Howell Hall, Hornet Village suites, University Commons apartments, University Courtyard apartments, and University Columns houses.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150213015205/http://www.spsu.edu:80/housing/housing_options/index.htm Housing Options], Housing and Residential Life. Page dated February 20, 2015, retrieved via Internet Archive on December 21, 2018.</ref> These facilities are still used to house Kennesaw State University students.<ref>[https://ksuhousing.kennesaw.edu/index.php Housing and Residential Life | Kennesaw State University] Retrieved December 21, 2018.</ref>

;Joe Mack Wilson Student Center (A Building)
:The Joe Mack Wilson Student Center is located near the front entrance on the northern side of campus. It includes resources such as a University bookstore, a game room, eateries, various lounge areas, and many of KSU's departments and offices. Historically, it also housed student organizations and the [[WGHR (college radio)|WGHR radio station]]

;Engineering Technology Center (Q Building)
:On January 24, 2008, Governor Sunny Purdue recommended a little over $33 million toward the construction of a new building to house five programs: Electrical Engineering Technology, Computer Engineering Technology, Telecommunications Engineering Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology, and Mechatronics Engineering. The facility, the Engineering Technology Center, covers {{convert|123,000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} and contains 36 labs, 12 classrooms, two seminar rooms, and a 200-seat lecture room.<ref name="DPR">"New Engineering Technology Center and Building I Renovation and Addition." DPR Construction via Internet Archive. Retrieved 31 December 2018.[https://web.archive.org/web/20121019034058/http://www.dpr.com/projects/southern-polytechnic-state-university-etc-building-i-renovation]</ref> It was completed in December of 2010; it opened on the first day of classes for the spring semester of 2011. It is on the western side of the campus&nbsp;– north of the parking deck and Stingers Restaurant.

==Organization and administration==
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:Rossbacher1.jpg|thumb|right|alt=Portrait of Dr. Lisa Rossbacher|Dr. [[Lisa Rossbacher]], President Emerita of Southern Polytechnic State University]] -->

===Faculty and staff===
At the time of its consolidation with KSU, faculty at Southern Polytechnic State University were at a ratio of about 1 faculty member per 19 students. About 42.5% of students attended classes with fewer than 20 students.<ref name="academics">{{cite web|url=http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/southern-polytechnic-state-university-1570/academics|title=Southern Polytechnic State University - Southern Polytechnic - Academic Life - Best College - US News|work=rankingsandreviews.com|access-date=8 May 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140805155648/http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/southern-polytechnic-state-university-1570/academics |archive-date=5 August 2014}}</ref> Every faculty member was required to have experience in relevant work or research of a topic to be qualified to teach at the school.<ref>[http://www.petersons.com/college-search/southern-polytechnic-state-university-000_10002867.aspx Southern Polytechnic State University], Petersons.</ref>

Between 2006, there was a general 70% to 30% ratio of male to female professors. In 2007–2008 male professors made up to $7,000 more than female professors on average.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.spsu.edu/irpa/documents/EntireFactobook2007-08.pdf|title = - 3rd Largest University in Georgia}}</ref> The gap between the difference in pay quickly decreased and by the 2009–2010 academic year the salary only differed by $300, $77,699 for males and $77,410 for females.<ref name="factbook">{{Cite web|url=http://www.spsu.edu/irpa/documents/FinalFactBook2009-10_000.pdf|title=- 3rd Largest University in Georgia}}</ref> Of the 48 full-time professors in 2007, 52% of them had tenure. The number of professors dropped from 48 to 44 in 2008; with the drop of full-time professors, only 44% of full-time faculty had tenure.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.spsu.edu/irpa/documents/_FinalFactBook0809edition.pdf|title = - 3rd Largest University in Georgia}}</ref> It was recorded in 2010, that the number of full-time professors dropped again to 39, but the tenure rate remained the same.<ref name="factbook"/>
There were many awards given out at SPSU among the faculty including the Outstanding Faculty Award and the Employee Service Award.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.spsu.edu/pandp/830_01.html|title = - third Largest University in Georgia}}</ref> The university would choose a select group of faculty whose achievements had been noteworthy enough to receive the OFA. The OFA committee changed each year and was made up of the previous year's recipients. The Employee Service Award acknowledged the service and achievement of permanent employees at periodic intervals with appropriate ceremony and awards.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.spsu.edu/pandp/830_0.html|title=- third Largest University in Georgia}}</ref> A committee composed of representatives from the Staff Council and the Outstanding Faculty Awards Committee determined who received the awards and the ceremony date. Both awards were given out at the same ceremony at the end of spring term.

===Student government===
The SPSU Student Government Association was composed of elected and appointed undergraduate and graduate students. According to the organization's constitution, the mission of the Student Government Association was as follows:

{{Blockquote|The Student Government Association shall provide a systematic process of open communication among students, faculty, and administration. The SGA shall act as an advocate and insure that the students of the Southern Polytechnic State University are capable of exercising their lawful rights concerning their education, safety, and the allocation and expenditure of service and activities monies. The SGA shall endeavor to support Southern Polytechnic State University goals and missions through activities which demonstrate the value and contributions of the Southern Polytechnic State University to our community and state.<ref name="SGA_con">SGA Constitution and Amendments. Marietta, GA: Southern Polytechnic State University Student Government Association, 2012. DOC.</ref>}}

==Academics==
Southern Polytechnic State University offered a broad range of [[undergraduate degree]] programs and several [[master's degree]] programs through its four schools and its Division of Engineering. At the time of its consolidation with KSU, it offered 24 online certificate, graduate, and undergraduate degree programs as well as the "eCore" program which was made up of the first two years of college courses completely online and is composed primarily of core classes.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.greatdegree.com/schools/Southern-Polytechnic-State-University-687.html |title=Southern Polytechnic State University - Online Degrees - GreatDegree.com |access-date=2011-02-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100301130705/http://www.greatdegree.com/schools/Southern-Polytechnic-State-University-687.html |archive-date=2010-03-01 }}</ref>

===Undergraduate programs===
Southern Polytechnic State University's academic divisions were made of its School of Architecture and Construction Management; School of Computing and Software Engineering; School of Engineering Technology and Management; School of Arts and Sciences; and Division of Engineering.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.spsu.edu/home/prospective/academics/index.html|title=- 3rd Largest University in Georgia}}</ref> The most popular programs of study for undergraduate students are [[Architecture]], [[Computer Science]], [[Mechanical Engineering Technology]], and [[Mechanical Engineering]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spsu.edu/institutionalresearch/enrollmentreports/index.htm|title=Enrollment Reports|work=spsu.edu|access-date=8 May 2015}}</ref> The university's [[construction engineering]] program was one of nine in the nation, and its [[mechatronics engineering]] program was the first in Georgia. Other unique programs at SPSU included a five-year professionally accredited architecture degree and undergraduate degrees in [[surveying]] and [[Cartography|mapping]], [[systems engineering]], and [[technical communication]].

SPSU followed the University System of Georgia's Common Core program.

===Graduate programs===
At the time of consolidation, SPSU offered eleven graduate degree programs, nine graduate certificate programs, and four advanced graduate certificate programs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spsu.edu/gradstudies/degrees_certificates/|title=Overview|work=spsu.edu|access-date=8 May 2015}}</ref> The eleven graduate programs awarded master's degrees in [[Accounting]], [[Business Administration]], [[Computer Science]], [[Construction Management]], [[Electrical Engineering Technology]], [[Information Design|Information]] and [[Instructional Design]], Information Design and Communication, [[Information Technology]], [[Quality Assurance]], [[Software Engineering]], and [[Systems Engineering]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spsu.edu/gradstudies/degrees_certificates/degrees.htm|title=Degrees|work=spsu.edu|access-date=8 May 2015}}</ref> The university has been offering many of its master's degrees online since 1997.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cse.spsu.edu/onlineprograms/whyspsu.shtml|title=Online Programs in Computing at SPSU - Why SPSU|work=spsu.edu|access-date=8 May 2015}}</ref>

===Special learning opportunities===
Southern Polytechnic State University offered special learning opportunities including teacher certification, distance learning, and study abroad programs. The university featured cross-enrollment programs with the [[Georgia Institute of Technology]] that enabled SPSU students to participate in the [[Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps]], [[Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps]], and [[Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps]] programs hosted at the Georgia Institute of Technology's campus.<ref name="navigator"/>

===University Honors Program===
The Southern Polytechnic State University University Honors Program offered the students smaller classroom, research studies with the professors, a separate study room, and more intellectual rigor.<ref>http://www.spsu.edu/honors/about_us.htm "About the University Program", Southern Polytechnic State University, retrieved 2012/02/09.</ref> To join the program, students were required to have a minimum GPA of 3.2 at the freshman or sophomore level, 3.3 at the junior level, or 3.4 at the senior level. The University Honors Program offered two types of honors degrees:
* University Honors Scholar degree required 12 credit hours of honors course work and 6 credit hours of upper-division honors course work. 
* Departmental Honors Scholar degree required completion of 6 hours of enriched upper-division coursework or directed study.<ref>http://spsu.edu/honors/current_students/student_guidelines.htm "Student Guidelines", Southern Polytechnic State University, retrieved 2012/02/14</ref>

===Rankings===
According to the [[American Society for Engineering Education]], in its 2010 edition of ''Profiles of Engineering and Engineering Technology Colleges'',<ref>Gibbons, Michael T., ed. ''Profiles of Engineering and Engineering Technology Colleges'' (2010). American Society for Engineering Education. Retrieved 27 Feb. 2012. http://www.asee.org/</ref> Southern Polytechnic State University was ranked third for the most engineering technology degrees awarded in the United States from 2001 to 2010 in total and third in the number awarded to female graduates in that same time. The university ranked second in the nation in total enrollment of students in engineering technology degree programs. In 2010, the school was ranked as one of the toughest universities in the U.S. as reported by CBS News.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-09-29 |title=Grade Inflation: Colleges With the Easiest and Hardest Grades - CBS News |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505145_162-37243170/grade-inflation-colleges-with-the-easiest-and-hardest-grades/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111201090321/http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505145_162-37243170/grade-inflation-colleges-with-the-easiest-and-hardest-grades/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 1, 2011 |access-date=2023-07-06 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Student life==
===Student media===
[[File:Kennesaw State University, Marietta Campus 6.jpg|right|thumb|The Rock, on January 20, 2017]]

Southern Polytechnic historically had three student-run media outlets: a [[college radio]] station, a [[student newspaper]], and a [[yearbook]].

[[WGHR (college radio)|WGHR]] (Green Hornet Radio),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spsu.edu/studentlife/studentorgs.htm|title=Student Organizations|work=spsu.edu|access-date=8 May 2015}}</ref> the campus [[radio station]], was a [[non-commercial educational]] station that began as "WSTB" in 1969 on [[carrier current]] [[AM broadcasting|AM]], then became licensed as WGHR at 102.5 on the [[FM broadcasting|FM]] dial in 1981, moving to 100.7 in 1998.<ref>http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/call_hist.pl?Facility_id=61370&Callsign=DWGHR Federal Communications Commission Retrieved February 12, 2011</ref>  The station's [[broadcast license]] was canceled in 2001 because two [[commercial radio]] stations were allowed to take those FM frequencies, [[regulatory taking|without compensation]] to the station or the school.<ref>http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/sta_det.pl?Facility_id=61370 Federal Communications Commission Retrieved 7 Mar 2012</ref> WGHR continued to [[webcast]] after the cancellation.  The station's [[radio studio]]s and office were located in the [[student center]]. According to the SPSU Student Handbook,  WGHR offered interested students an opportunity to gain broadcast and technical experience.<ref>[http://www.spsu.edu/student/handbook3.html Southern Polytechnic State University Student Handbook 2007–2008], Retrieved February 12, 2011</ref>

Southern Tech's first student newspaper was published under the title ''The Technician'' in September 1948.<ref>[http://archivesspace.kennesaw.edu/repositories/4/resources/295 Finding aid for ''The Sting, SPSU's Student News Publication''.] KSU Archives. Retrieved December 21, 2018.</ref> The publication changed titles several times, first to ''The Engineering Technician'' (beginning with the issue of February 20, 1964), then ''Whatsizname?'' (beginning with the issue of September 24, 1973), ''Southern Seeds'' (only one issue on October 15, 1975); ''Unnamed'' (styled ''?'', two issues beginning October 22, 1975), and finally ''The Sting'' (beginning with the issue of November 5, 1975). With the consolidation of Kennesaw State University and Southern Polytechnic State University in January 2015, student publications were integrated, and ''The Sting'' merged with KSU's publication ''The Talon'' to create a new campus lifestyle publication (published under the title ''The Sting''.<ref>[https://owllife.kennesaw.edu/news/69161 ''The Sting and KSU Talon Merge: The “New” Sting''.] Owl Life, KSU. Retrieved December 21, 2018.</ref> ''The Sting'' was later retitled ''The Peak'' with the September 2016 issue.<ref>[https://owllife.kennesaw.edu/organization/sting ''The Peak''.] Owl Life, KSU. Retrieved December 21, 2018.</ref>

''The Technician's Log'' (often shortened to ''The Log'') was the yearbook from 1949 to 1997.{{Citation needed|date=February 2025}}

===Student organizations===
;Fraternities and sororities
At the time of its merger with KSU, Southern Polytechnic State University was home to fourteen [[fraternities]] and [[sororities]]: seven of the [[North American Interfraternity Conference]] (IFC), two of the [[National Panhellenic Conference]] (NPC),<ref name="spsu_a">{{Cite web|url=http://www.spsu.edu/studentlife/greek/panhellenic.htm|title = - 3rd Largest University in Georgia}}</ref> and five of the [[National Pan-Hellenic Council]] (NPHC).<ref name="spsu">{{Cite web|url=http://www.spsu.edu/studentlife/greek/nphc.htm|title = - 3rd Largest University in Georgia}}</ref>

===Bathtub race===
In the 1960s one of the fraternities at Southern Polytechnic converted a cast-iron bath tub into a cooler for parties. When the tub became difficult to move they attached wheels to it. Some time after, other fraternities acquired their own cast-iron tubs, attached wheels, and the fraternities began to hold races around the perimeter of the school. In light of a growing liability risk the school ended the annual tub races in the early 1990s. In 2010 the SPSU alumni group resurrected the Bathtub Race, under the stipulation that the tubs be motorless.<ref>{{cite news | title=Bathtub Races Return to Southern Poly | url=http://www.ajc.com/news/cobb/bathtub-races-return-to-396609.html | first=Laura | last=Diamond | newspaper=[[Atlanta Journal-Constitution]] | date=March 23, 2010 | access-date=February 12, 2011}}</ref>

===Recreational===
Southern Polytechnic State University offered intramural and club sports, which included many team and individual competitive programs throughout the year. Intramural sports consisted of basketball, racquetball, dodgeball, soccer, softball, and volleyball.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spsu.edu/recwellness/intramurals/index.htm|title=Intramurals|work=spsu.edu|access-date=8 May 2015}}</ref> The club sports are organized by individuals and groups on Southern Polytechnic's campus.

The recreational sports practices and competitions took place in the Recreation and Wellness Center, the Outdoor Recreation Complex, the Athletic Gymnasium, and Walter J. Kelly Jr. Field. The Recreation and Wellness Center opened in 1996.<ref name="facilities">{{cite web|url=http://www.spsu.edu/recwellness/recfacilities/index.htm|title=Rec Sports Facilities|work=spsu.edu|access-date=8 May 2015}}</ref>

==Athletics==
The Southern Poly (SPSU) athletic teams were called the Runnin' Hornets, although "''Runnin' Hornets''" is often shortened to "''Hornets''" in use. The university was a member of the [[National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics]] (NAIA), primarily competing in the [[Southern States Athletic Conference]] (SSAC; formerly known as Georgia–Alabama–Carolina Conference (GACC) until after the 2003–04 school year) from 1999–2000 to 2013–14. The university's mascot was Sting, a green and black, anthropomorphic hornet bearing the stylized version of the university's logo on its chest.<ref name="ssac">"Members". Southern States Athletic Conference. Retrieved 8 Mar 2012. Web. <http://www.ssacsports.com/members.php></ref>

SPSU competed in four intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports included baseball, basketball and soccer; while women's sports included basketball.

=== Men's soccer ===
The soccer team was established in 2007.<ref>"2007 Season" http://www.spsu.edu/soccer/soccerarchives/2007season/index.htm Retrieved February 7, 2012</ref> After not receiving a tournament bid in the first season, the Hornets subsequently received three consecutive NAIA tournament berths. In its most notable season of 2009–2010, Southern Polytechnic State University's soccer team went 14–2–1 and went to the NAIA tournament. The team made it past the first round defeating [[Bryan College]] but lost in the round of 16 to [[Martin Methodist]].<ref>"2009 Men's Soccer" http://www.ssacsports.com/team/11/1/135.php Retrieved February 7, 2012</ref>

=== Baseball ===
The baseball team went 53–10 in the 2009 regular season, won the SSAC conference championship, and finished fifth in the NAIA World Series. Three players from the team were drafted by major league baseball teams (the [[Baltimore Orioles]], [[Philadelphia Phillies]], and [[Florida Marlins]]). Former players have also signed with other professional organizations such as the [[St. Louis Cardinals]], [[New York Mets]], [[Cincinnati Reds]], and [[Chicago Cubs]].<ref>"What you're about to read may surprise you about ... Southern Polytech." ''Marietta Daily Journal'' (GA) 4 Mar. 2007, News: NewsBank. Retrieved 14 Feb. 2012.</ref>

In 2014, the SPSU baseball team won the SSAC conference tournament. The team also won the Daytona Beach first round regional, earning a trip to the Avista NAIA World Series in the school's final year of collegiate athletics.

=== Men's basketball ===
In 2009, the men's basketball team went 23–5 in the regular season and 12–2 in the conference. They reached the SSAC tournament and won three straight games to become SSAC Champions. They qualified for the NAIA tournament, where they won three straight games before losing in the final four to Azusa Pacific University.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ssacsports.com/schedule/11/4.php|title=Southern States Athletic Conference -|work=ssacsports.com|access-date=8 May 2015}}</ref>

During the 2009 season, many of the athletes on the men's basketball team received personal awards. Jas Rogers won the award for the 2009–2010 SSAC Player of the Year. Brent Jennings, Xavier Dawson, and Jas Rogers were voted to the SSAC All-Conference Team, Darrien Beacham was voted to the 2010 Musco Lighting Champion of Character Team, and Jordan Lemons was voted to the SSAC All-Academic Team.<ref name="awards">{{cite web|url=http://www.ssacsports.com/awards/11/4.php|title=Southern States Athletic Conference - 2009-10 Men's Basketball Awards|work=ssacsports.com|access-date=8 May 2015}}</ref>

=== Women's basketball ===
In 2009, women's basketball went 26–4 in the regular season and 12–4 in the conference. They won the SSAC tournament championship and went on to the NAIA tournament. They won the first game but lost the next one to [[Union University]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ssacsports.com/team/11/5/135.php|title=Southern States Athletic Conference|work=ssacsports.com|access-date=8 May 2015}}</ref>

During the 2009 season, many of the athletes on the women's basketball received personal awards. Athlete Crystal Davis was awarded the NAIA Scholar-Athlete and All-Academic Team awards, Brittany White was voted to the All-Freshmen Team, Dione Parks and Marisa Stoler were voted to the All-Conference Team, and the 6th Man Award was given to Dione Parks. The Newcomer of the Year award was awarded to Marisa Stoler, and Aurielle Morgan Musco was voted to Lighting Champion of Character Team. Also, the Coach of the Year award was awarded to Coach Nathan Teymer.<ref name="awards"/>

==Noted people==
* Mike Garrett, former president and CEO of [[Georgia Power]], one of the leading producers of electricity in the United States.<ref>"Gov. Perdue, Outstanding USG Faculty, Alumni Honored at Regents' Fifth Annual 'Excellence Awards'"
[http://www.usg.edu/news/release/gov._perdue_outstanding_usg_faculty_alumni_honored_at_regents_fifth_annual_/], "University System of Georgia Newsroom", March 28, 2009, accessed February 4, 2011.</ref>
* Chris Owens of Lowe Engineers, who previously served as a member of the City Council of [[Alpharetta]], Georgia<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.alpharetta.ga.us/index.php?p=462|title=City of Alpharetta Website -- Chris Owens|work=alpharetta.ga.us|access-date=8 May 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403020137/http://alpharetta.ga.us/index.php?p=462|archive-date=3 April 2015}}</ref>
* John Leverett, the founding and head of engineering at [[Panoz Auto Development]] graduated in 1993.[http://www.jttmotorsports.com/John_M.html]
* Jeff Glover, Steve Newey, and Brandon Fry - all work at the highest levels of international Sports Car and Indy Car racing. 
* Craig "Huey" Stewart, founder of Marietta Motorsports, attended the university. He and John Leverett of Panoz Auto Development are noted for having founded Southern Polytechnic State University's [[Formula SAE]] competition team in 1992.[https://web.archive.org/web/20140202124819/http://www.bbcracing.com/Dec09MarMo.pdf].
* President Emerita [[Lisa Rossbacher|Dr. Lisa Rossbacher]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spsu.edu/newsroom/news/Rossbacher_gets_emerita_status_from_regents.htm|title=Board of Regents salutes SPSU president, conveys emerita status|work=spsu.edu|access-date=8 May 2015}}</ref>

==References==
<!-- A note about references:
Please do not add references directly to this section.

References should be added in the text of the article, inside ref tags, behind the text they support. For example:

In 2010 Southern Polytechnic State University's Alumni group resurrected the Bathtub Race, under the stipulation that the tubs must be motorless.<ref>{{cite news 
| title=Bathtub Races Return to Southern Poly 
| url=http://www.ajc.com/news/cobb/bathtub-races-return-to-396609.html 
| first=Laura | last=Diamond 
| newspaper=[[Atlanta Journal-Constitution]] 
| date=March 23, 2010 
| access-date=February 12, 2011}}</ref>

The {{cite news}} template will automatically format the reference to a newspaper to Wikipedia standards. -->

{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Commons category-inline|Kennesaw State University Marietta Campus}}
* {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/*/http://www.spsu.edu/|title=Official website}}
* [http://www.spsuhornets.com/ Official athletics website]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140624001106/http://www.spsuhornets.com/ |date=June 24, 2014 }}.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20030803170405/http://wghr.spsu.edu/ WGHR] (archived)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130618171224/http://readthesting.com/ The Sting] (archived)
* [http://sga.spsu.edu SPSU Student Government]
* [http://aias.spsu.edu AIAS SPSU]
* [http://www.spsu.edu/police/site/index.html SPSU Police]
* [https://soar.kennesaw.edu/handle/11360/1974 Southern Polytechnic State University: The History], 1998. Kennesaw State University Archives.
* [https://soar.kennesaw.edu/handle/11360/419 SPSU Student Newspaper Collection], Kennesaw State University Archives. 
* [https://soar.kennesaw.edu/handle/11360/2070 SPSU Yearbook Collection], Kennesaw State University Archives.

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{{Polytechnic Universities}}

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[[Category:Southern Polytechnic State University| ]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges established in 1948]]
[[Category:Educational institutions disestablished in 2013]]
[[Category:Education in Cobb County, Georgia]]
[[Category:Defunct public universities and colleges in Georgia (U.S. state)]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Marietta, Georgia]]
[[Category:1948 establishments in Georgia (U.S. state)]]
[[Category:2013 disestablishments in Georgia (U.S. state)]]