New Bagwell Economics Center to Open at Coles Thanks to Generous Gift

A new economic center will open at the Kennesaw State University – Michael J. Coles College of Business, thanks to a generous gift from longtime Kennesaw supporters Tommy and Chantal Bagwell.

With the contribution of $2.25 million from the Bagwells and an additional $1 million from the Charles Koch Foundation, the new Bagwell Center for the Study of Markets and Economic Opportunity will open at Coles to examine the economic and social factors that drive economic prosperity. The new center was developed by the Department of Economics, Finance and Quantitative Analysis at Coles and will be directed by Coles economics professor Timothy Mathews.

“We appreciate the generosity of our donors, in particular Tommy and Chantal Bagwell, who continue to demonstrate their dedication to education and Kennesaw State,” Coles dean Kathy Schwaig said in a news release. “We are committed to launching a center that will provide education and research opportunities for students and faculty in a context that encourages and welcomes the exchange of diverse ideas targeted at real-world challenges.”

Among the goals of the economics center will be to give both students and faculty support in the research of entrepreneurship, economic prosperity, and the impact of public policies and market institutions on economic outcomes. The center’s funding will also include support of fifty fellowships for undergraduate student research over the next five years.

Chantal and Tommy Bagwell have a long history of philanthropy and connection with Kennesaw, beginning with a generous gift from Tommy’s mother—Clarice Bagwell—in 1996. Since then, Tommy has contributed millions of dollars to the university as well as serving on the Board of Trustees.

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