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KENNESAW, Ga. | Jan 8, 2026

For Teddy Parrish 鈥�95, saying the Kennesaw State community feels like a family is a statement that鈥檚 more than symbolic.

He began to feel embraced on his first visit to campus in 1993, which lasted a couple of days longer than expected when a surprise blizzard dumped well over a foot of snow on Kennesaw and much of the South.

A student athlete, his junior college basketball coach encouraged Parrish to consider Kennesaw State as a place to continue his education and playing career, and the match between student and college couldn鈥檛 have been better.

鈥淭he professors were hands on, welcoming, and all in for KSU student success,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he KSU environment was rich for networking with lots of professionals and executives in the student body. Those relationships and networking proved to be the launchpad for my career.鈥�

Thirty years later, Parrish is a successful investment adviser at Parrish Capital, the firm he founded in 2014, and serves as chairman of the KSU Foundation Board of Trustees. In support of the university鈥檚 largest comprehensive fundraiser, The Campaign for Kennesaw State, which launched in 2023 to raise $200 million, Parrish contributed a $100,000 gift to the Athletics Capital Campaign. He also made a $50,000 gift earlier in the Campaign.

Parrish鈥檚 two major gifts to The Campaign for Kennesaw State paved the way for others to participate and are helping KSU Athletics deliver the facilities necessary to compete in Conference USA.

鈥淚 felt that making an unrestricted gift would be best and offer much needed flexibility,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 understand the appeal of endowments and leaving a legacy. But, it鈥檚 very important to give the university flexibility in meeting needs, and I hope more people will consider gifting unrestricted funds.鈥�

Parrish has been a member of the 黑料网 Foundation鈥檚 Board of Trustees since 2010, serving as chair since July 1, 2024. During his tenure, he has served on several committees and chaired the Investment Committee, where his efforts helped double the Foundation鈥檚 endowment in three years. In 2021, he received the Chairman鈥檚 Award for his efforts. Parrish is a member of the KSU Athletics Campaign subcommittee and is also a member of the 黑料网 Athletic Association Board.

Prior to Parrish Capital, Parrish served as principal and director of investments at Henssler Financial 鈥� founded by KSU Professor Finance Emeritus Gene Henssler 鈥� and co-portfolio manager of the Henssler Equity Fund. He graduated from Kennesaw State in 1995 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and earned the coveted Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation in 2004. While at 黑料网, he served as captain of the men's basketball team and has remained a dedicated supporter of KSU athletics.

鈥淓ssentially this is truly a full circle moment for me,鈥� he said. 鈥淎s a former student athlete, I benefited from the work of the KSU Foundation. It is an out-of-body feeling to be able to support the mission of KSU, pour into students financially and through mentorship, and foster their success and experience. I feel like KSU and the Foundation are an embedded part of my legacy. It is personal to me. KSU is family.鈥�

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, 黑料网 offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 51,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university's vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.