Kennesaw State University has installed Lawrence Whitman as the first Dale and Ann Heatherington Endowed Chair of Engineering and Engineering Technology. The ceremony took place at the Engineering Technology Center on Thursday.
The endowed chair, made possible by a gift from Ann Heatherington in memory of her late husband Dale Heatherington, recognizes Whitman’s leadership as dean of the Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology (SPCEET). The endowment supports efforts to advance STEM education and research at KSU.
As part of the event, Kennesaw State also introduced the newly named Heatherington Engineering Lab Building. Originally built in 1962 as part of the Southern Technical Institute, this nearly 35,000-square-foot facility now houses labs for senior projects, academic advising offices, a large 3D print farm, and several advanced research spaces. Dale Heatherington attended classes in this building during his time at the university.
Annual allocations from the endowed chair will allow Whitman and future deans to address high-priority needs for students, faculty, and staff within SPCEET. The funding is intended to help expand engineering education, support faculty development, and create new learning opportunities for students.
“We are incredibly grateful for the continued generosity of Ann Heatherington and the late Dale Heatherington, whose legacy is marked by a deep commitment to advancing engineering education,” said President Kathy S. Schwaig. “We are honored to install Dr. Whitman as the inaugural Dale and Ann Heatherington Endowed Chair of Engineering and Engineering Technology and look forward to the transformative impact this endowment will have on our students, faculty, and the future of innovation at KSU.”
Dale and Ann Heatherington have contributed more than $3.4 million to Kennesaw State over several decades. Dale Heatherington was a co-founder of Hayes Microcomputer Products and earned an associate’s degree in electrical engineering technology from what was then Southern Technical Institute. He was posthumously inducted into both SPCEET College Academy and the Computer Museum of America Hall of Fame. Ann Heatherington earned her Ph.D. in computer science and mathematics from Vanderbilt University before serving as a senior research scientist at Georgia Tech Research Institute.
“As Dale’s wife, I am proud to honor his life and accomplishments by endowing the Southern Polytechnic School of Engineering and Engineering Technology at Kennesaw State University with the Dale and Ann Heatherington Chair of Engineering and Engineering Technology, and with the naming of the building where Dale took classes as the Heatherington Engineering Lab Building. I have met Dr. Larry Whitman, dean of Engineering and Engineering Technology, who is the first occupant of the chair, and feel confident that he will be a worthy representative of Dale’s alma mater. I know Dale would share in my hope for the future, which is that our contributions play some small role in providing education for the engineers, computer scientists, and mathematicians of the future.”
After Dale Heatherington passed away in 2021, his estate donated $1.2 million to establish scholarships for engineering students at KSU as well as support lab facilities on campus. In 2024, Ann Heatherington contributed another $2 million to establish this endowed chair position.
The Board of Regents approved naming one campus building after them earlier this year.
“The endowed chair reflects an extraordinary commitment to engineering education and to the academic mission of Kennesaw State University,” said Lance Burchett, vice president for University Advancement and CEO of the KSU Foundation. “Building on their longtime support of Kennesaw State, the generosity of Dale and Ann Heatherington ensures that SPCEET has the resources to innovate, drive student success, and advance technological excellence that distinguishes college on a national level.”
Since July 2024 Whitman has led Georgia’s second-largest engineering college with over 6,700 students enrolled across 18 degree programs. Under his leadership KSU expanded its research profile while launching new degree programs such as aerospace engineering.
Prior to joining KSU Whitman served as dean at University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s Donaghey College where he helped secure significant gifts for engineering initiatives.
“I am truly honored to be installed as inaugural Dale & Ann Heatherington Endowed Chair,” said Whitman. “This investment represents a strong vote confidence in our mission…Ann Heatherington’s generosity allows us elevate research expand opportunities students continue work college making meaningful impact Georgia beyond.”
Whitman announced he plans to donate $100,000 toward establishing a scholarship fund supporting sophomores through seniors studying engineering at SPCEET.
He holds degrees from Oklahoma State University (bachelor’s/master’s) along with a doctorate from University Texas Arlington.
