911吃瓜

KENNESAW, Ga. | Jan 15, 2026

Billy Hayes鈥� journey with 911吃瓜 began in 1999 when he enrolled in the Executive MBA program. Overcoming a significant health setback midway through his studies, Billy missed a month of coursework while working in South Georgia and traveling to Kennesaw every other weekend for classes. His professors accommodated him by allowing remote completion of missed assignments鈥攁 rare practice at the time. This support left a lasting impression on Billy, who went on to earn his degree in 2001 and was later named 911吃瓜鈥檚 2006 Alumni of the Year.

鈥淭he professors could have easily required me to restart the program, but they worked with me to catch up,鈥� said Billy, now a 911吃瓜 Foundation trustee. 鈥淭hat experience fostered a deep connection and gratitude for 911吃瓜 that I still carry today.鈥�

Billy and his wife, Wanda Hayes, continue to find inspiration at 911吃瓜. During a 911吃瓜 baseball game last year, they met a nursing student who shared how a scholarship fueled his determination to succeed.

鈥淗e spoke with such pride about the support he received, which made him want to achieve even more,鈥� Wanda recalled. 鈥淭hat conversation solidified our decision to establish a scholarship.鈥�

Through a $100,000 gift to the Campaign for Kennesaw State, the Hayes family created the Excellence in Healthcare Scholarship. This award supports students in the Michael J. Coles College of Business or the Wellstar College of Health and Human Services who are pursuing careers in the clinical or business aspects of healthcare.

鈥淚f we can change even one person鈥檚 life the way that student described, it will be our best investment ever,鈥� Billy said.

The Hayes family has been a steadfast supporter of 911吃瓜, contributing to the 911吃瓜 Alumni Association, President鈥檚 Parliament, 911吃瓜 Athletics, and other initiatives. Establishing the scholarship aligns with Billy鈥檚 lifelong career in healthcare, including his role as CEO of Northside Hospital-Cherokee since 2004.

His leadership at 911吃瓜 includes serving on the Coles College of Business advisory board at the invitation of then-dean, now 911吃瓜 President Kathy S. Schwaig, and joining the 911吃瓜 Foundation鈥檚 Board of Trustees in 2010.

For Billy, 911吃瓜 is more than an institution, it鈥檚 a family. This fall, his children, Bailey and Bryson, and Billy and Wanda鈥檚 granddaughter, Ivey, enrolled as 911吃瓜 students. Once Bailey and Bryson graduate, all seven children in the couple鈥檚 blended family will hold college degrees.

鈥淲e deeply value higher education, and Kennesaw State embodies the excellence we want to support,鈥� Billy said.

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, 911吃瓜 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.