Kennesaw State University President Kathy S. Schwaig, several alumni, and two benefactors have been named to Atlanta Magazine’s 2026 Atlanta 500 list. The annual list recognizes leaders in education, business, the arts, and nonprofit organizations across metro Atlanta.
Schwaig appears on the Atlanta 500 for the fourth year in a row and was also recently listed among Georgia Trend magazine’s 100 Most Influential Georgians. She is joined by Kennesaw State alumni John Welker, Bert Wesley Huffman, David Nicholas, Leonard L. Adams Jr., Kelli Stewart, DePriest Waddy, and Albert G. Edwards. Benefactors Norman J. Radow and Michael J. Coles were also recognized; both have received honorary doctorates from KSU.
“I’m deeply honored to be named to the Atlanta 500 alongside so many leaders who are shaping the region’s future, including several Kennesaw State alumni,” Schwaig said. “Having KSU alumni represented among this group is proof positive of the University’s far‑reaching impact across the Atlanta area. We take great pride in opening doors to opportunity, preparing graduates to lead with purpose, and strengthening the communities we serve.”
During Schwaig’s tenure as president, KSU has expanded student support programs and launched more than 50 new academic offerings in fields with strong job demand. The university has seen significant increases in research funding and fundraising activities and completed nearly 20 capital projects aimed at enhancing academic and technology infrastructure on its campuses. Schwaig also led KSU’s transition to Conference USA athletics—a move highlighted by a football conference championship in 2025 and the team’s first bowl game appearance.
KSU reported an economic impact of $2.3 billion for 2025 along with having the largest enrollment of Georgia residents among public universities in the state.
The Atlanta 500 list includes alumni who have achieved distinction in their careers:
John Welker has contributed significantly to ballet and contemporary dance in Atlanta as a principal dancer for Atlanta Ballet before co-founding Terminus Modern Ballet Theatre and establishing educational initiatives such as Terminus Ballet School.
Bert Wesley Huffman leads Georgia Public Broadcasting as CEO after joining GPB in 2014; he became president in 2021 before his current role overseeing news and educational programming statewide.
David Nicholas is founder and CEO of Nicholas Wealth Management; he regularly appears on national media outlets discussing financial topics.
Leonard L. Adams Jr., as head of Quest Community Development Organization, launched a $110 million affordable housing initiative aimed at serving low-income residents—including veterans—on Atlanta’s Westside.
Kelli Stewart co-founded L.E.A.D. Center For Youth with her husband C.J.; their organization uses youth sports participation to help students achieve high graduation rates and college enrollment.
DePriest Waddy serves as president and CEO of Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia (CFNG), which has distributed nearly $150 million since its founding for philanthropic causes throughout northeast Georgia.
Albert G. Edwards founded Corporate Environmental Risk Management—a minority-owned engineering firm—and previously served as an officer in the U.S. Army Reserve.
Frances Beusse, associate vice president for alumni engagement at KSU stated: “Recognition of Kennesaw State alumni among the Atlanta 500 is an honor that underscores the growing prominence of our university… Our graduates are driving meaningful impact across industries locally, regionally, and nationally, helping elevate KSU’s reputation through their leadership and innovation.”
Norman J. Radow has supported KSU through philanthropy that resulted in naming rights for its College of Humanities & Social Sciences following his major gift; he also chaired the university foundation board prior to receiving an honorary doctorate last year.
Michael J. Coles founded The Great American Cookie Co., chaired multiple boards at KSU over decades of involvement with major gifts supporting business education—culminating with naming rights for Coles College of Business—and was awarded an honorary doctorate.
