Noteworthy Contributions

Treasure trove donated to Kennesaw State’s Music and Entertainment Business program

By Kennesaw State University

July 18^th, 2022

Kennesaw State University students have an inside track to working in Georgia’s booming entertainment industry, through the Joel A. Katz Music and Entertainment Business (MEBUS) program.

An interdisciplinary, certificate program open to Kennesaw State undergraduates in any major, MEBUS has earned national recognition in Billboard magazine’s ranking of Top Music Business Schools. The 500 students enrolled in MEBUS receive hands-on training through internships and classroom instruction in courses including marketing, management, audio and video production, entrepreneurship, and communication electives.

“Atlanta is the land of opportunity for music and entertainment, and our students get an early start in learning how to research, network, gain experience and attain a dream job in the entertainment industry,” said MEBUS Director Keith Perissi. “By the time students leave our program, if they’ve done the hard work, their resumes look like a million bucks.”

MEBUS was established at Kennesaw State in 2010 through an endowment by legendary entertainment attorney Joel Katz. Katz’s latest contribution to KSU is a collection of memorabilia from the who’s-who of music stars he has represented – Michael Jackson, James Brown, Whitney Houston, Willie Nelson and Justin Timberlake, to name a few.

Along with items such as autographed photos, gold records and musical instruments played by the artists, the collection displayed at the MEBUS house features several unique pieces that have a personal connection to Katz. For example, a highlight of the Michael Jackson display is a framed artwork painted by the King of Pop himself and presented to Katz with the explanation, “You’re the key to so many people’s success.”