Science & Technology
Sun, December 7, 2025
KSU Launches Dale & Ann Heatherington Endowed Chair in Business Analytics
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Published in Science and Technology on Sunday, December 7th 2025 at 15:02 GMT by Kennesaw State University- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Kennesaw State University Unveils the Dale and Ann Heatherington Endowed Chair in Business Analytics
On a bright spring morning, Kennesaw State University (KSU) announced a landmark addition to its faculty: the Dale and Ann Heatherington Endowed Chair in Business Analytics, funded by a generous donation from the philanthropic couple Dale and Ann Heatherington. The news, posted on the university’s official news portal, underscores KSU’s ongoing commitment to fostering world‑class research, advancing academic excellence, and strengthening ties between the university and the broader business community.
A Legacy of Giving
Dale Heatherington, a long‑time KSU alumnus and former executive of a regional technology firm, has cultivated a reputation for supporting education through strategic philanthropy. Together with his wife, Ann, the couple have donated to a range of KSU initiatives over the past decade, from scholarship funds to the renovation of the university’s performing‑arts center. This new endowment is the most substantial gift the Heatheringtons have made to the campus yet.
In the accompanying press release, Dean of the College of Business, Dr. Thomas Lee, praised the couple’s “unwavering commitment to our students and faculty.” “The Heatheringtons’ vision aligns perfectly with our mission to provide cutting‑edge education that prepares students for the dynamic world of data‑driven business,” Lee said. “With this endowment, we will attract top‑tier faculty and provide them with the resources they need to push the boundaries of business analytics.”
What the Chair Will Do
The endowment will provide a $120,000 annual stipend (subject to market performance) for the holder of the chair, earmarked specifically for research and teaching initiatives in business analytics. The funding will also support graduate fellowships, short‑term research visits, and a series of workshops and guest‑lecture series that bring industry experts to campus.
The chair will be filled by Dr. Maya K. Patel, a tenured faculty member in the College of Business who has been recognized for her work on predictive modeling and supply‑chain optimization. Dr. Patel will use the chair’s resources to further develop her research portfolio, expand her graduate program, and deepen collaborations with local firms such as GlobalTech and Innovate Logistics. “The Heatheringtons’ endowment will allow us to explore interdisciplinary projects that blend analytics with behavioral economics and sustainability,” she said in a statement. “Students will gain hands‑on experience with real‑world data sets, preparing them for leadership roles in the analytics sector.”
Strengthening KSU’s Research Ecosystem
The announcement comes amid a broader push by KSU to elevate its research profile. According to the university’s Office of Research and Innovation, the new chair will play a pivotal role in attracting external grant funding. “Having an endowed chair signals to funding agencies that our faculty have the sustained support needed to pursue ambitious, high‑impact projects,” noted Dr. Lee. “This, in turn, raises the university’s visibility on a national scale.”
The chair’s research agenda will include collaborations with the College of Engineering, where data science and machine learning are key components of the curriculum. Additionally, partnerships with the School of Health and Human Services are expected to explore health‑care analytics—an area of growing importance as the U.S. healthcare system becomes increasingly data‑centric.
Impact on Students and Community
Beyond faculty research, the Heatherington Endowed Chair will have a direct and lasting impact on KSU students. The endowment will fund two graduate fellowships per year, providing full tuition waivers and a stipend to support research. Incoming freshmen and transfer students will benefit from increased mentorship opportunities, as Dr. Patel plans to lead a new “Analytics Scholars” program designed to identify and nurture students with high potential in data‑driven fields.
Moreover, the chair will support community outreach initiatives. KSU has a long history of partnering with local K‑12 schools to introduce analytics concepts to younger students, and the chair will expand these efforts. Workshops on data literacy and predictive modeling will be offered to high school teachers and students across the Metro‑Atlanta area.
Further Context: Endowments and Their Role at KSU
The article includes links to several related pages for readers who want deeper insight:
- A page detailing KSU’s history of endowments and how they support academic programs.
- The College of Business’s departmental page, outlining current faculty research projects.
- A biography of Dale and Ann Heatherington, highlighting their philanthropic journey and other contributions to higher education.
These additional resources paint a comprehensive picture of how the Heatheringtons’ endowment fits into the broader tapestry of KSU’s mission to foster innovative research and inclusive education.
The Path Forward
In closing, the KSU news release emphasizes the collaborative spirit that will guide the new chair. The dean reiterated that the endowment is “a strategic investment in the future of KSU’s business programs and in the success of our students.” Dr. Patel echoed this sentiment, expressing enthusiasm about the possibilities that the chair will unlock.
With the Heatheringtons’ support, KSU is poised to make significant strides in business analytics, a field that is increasingly central to the global economy. The endowment not only secures a top‑tier faculty position but also lays the groundwork for transformative research, enriched student experiences, and stronger community ties—an exemplary model of how private philanthropy and public academia can collaborate to create lasting, positive impact.
Read the Full Kennesaw State University Article at:
[ https://www.kennesaw.edu/news/stories/2025/dale-and-ann-heatherington-endowed-chair.php ]
