Sam Olens formally vested as KSU president

KENNESAW, Ga. - Former Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens is officially the new President of Kennesaw State University.

The ceremony was held Thursday morning on campus.

Olens has seen quite a bit of controversy since he was appointed.

Last year, KSU students protested when the Georgia Board of Regents backed Olens for president, citing his lack of experience in higher education and his stance on LGBT issues.

RELATED: Kennesaw State students protest against possible new president

KSU has been back in the headlines recently after five cheerleaders chose to take a knee during the national anthem before a football game.

Texts between State Rep. Earl Ehrhart and Cobb County Sheriff Neil Warren seem to indicate they pressured Olens to keep the cheerleaders in the tunnel during the national anthem.

RELATED: Was KSU pressured to keep cheerleaders off the field?

Olens did not address that during Thursday's ceremony.

A group of protesters took a knee to show their opposition to Olens during the ceremony.