Alt

2024

News Categories

The Music Man

Musician may not rank anywhere near the top job titles of Tech alumni, but Harry Middlebrooks has made his voice and songs heard over a seven-decade career in the music industry.

The T-Files

One hundred and thirty-nine years is a lot of history, and during that time Georgia Tech has produced a fair number of fascinating mysteries, legends, and curiosities. Here we dive into the past and learn the stories behind everything from campus dogs and the Institute’s best pranks, to fake students and UFO sightings.

A Work Divided

Renowned sculptor Julian Hoke Harris left an indelible mark at his alma mater through 34 years of teaching in the School of Architecture and a vast collection of artworks that still adorn campus. Students today recognize the stunning stained-glass window in Brittain Dining Hall, as well as the 10 limestone busts of great engineers and scientists on the building's columns. But around the Arch building, Harris is known almost as well for a work that's gone missing or at least half of it has.

Recovered Fumble

Former Tech sportswriter picks up a historic football he didn’t know was lost.

Ring True

Wisconsin woman was compelled to return father’s class ring to his family.

Peeking Into Georgia Tech's Secret Society

ANAK's rituals are governed by silence and its activities, particularly over the last seven decades, do not arrive with public signatures. But ANAK wasn't always a secret shrouded in mystery.

How to Use National Team Experience at the College Level

Georgia Tech volleyball star and 2021 AVCA East Coast Region Player of the Year, Julia Bergmann, shares insights from her experience playing on the Brazil national team. She explains that success at the highest level requires more than just on-court skill, emphasizing the importance of observing veteran players' off-court habits, leadership, and consistent routines. Bergmann advises aspiring student-athletes to be coachable, diligent about self-care, and open to learning from teammates of all backgrounds to elevate their game.

Tech's Fossil Hunters

Georgia Tech's Spatial Ecology and Paleontology Lab invites the community to become "citizen scientists" during its "Fossil Fridays" event. Participants of all ages help researchers sift through sediment from Wyoming's Natural Trap Cave, searching for fossils that could be 30,000 years old. The program makes science more accessible while providing crucial help for research into how species were affected by historical climate change.

Sowing Big Dreams in a Small Town

Georgia Tech is committed to increasing access for students from rural Georgia, a cause championed by alumnus Francis Lott, Arch 58, Arch 59. After achieving business and philanthropic success in his hometown of Douglas, Georgia, Lott established the Francis and Diane Lott Promise Scholarship Endowment to support local students. Through personal mentorship, sponsored campus visits, and financial aid, Lott is building a strong pipeline from Coffee County to his alma mater, helping more students from small towns envision a future at Tech.

Hidden Gems of Georgia Tech

The Institute is brimming with treasures, some appreciated only by those in the know and others hiding in plain sight waiting to be discovered. Several are relics of Georgia Tech’s rich history, while others reflect the modern student body and personal experiences. Each spot, however, serves as a reminder that there is always more to discover at Georgia Tech.

Big Ideas On Living

This collection of stories highlights Georgia Tech alumni who have turned ambitious ideas into reality, from traveling the world as digital nomads to challenging algorithmic bias in big tech. The article also explores major institutional innovations like the groundbreaking Online Master of Science in Computer Science (OMSCS) program, which has revolutionized access to higher education. Further showcasing the breadth of Tech's impact, the piece delves into cutting-edge research in nanosized spaces that promises significant advancements.

Sky-High Success

Ian Bobo, IE 94, has built an extraordinary skydiving career with over 27,000 jumps and induction into the International Skydiving Hall of Fame. He achieved the rare feat of winning world championships in two disciplines: canopy piloting in 2005 and four-way formation skydiving in 2006. Beyond competition, Bobo co-founded Flight-1, the first canopy-flight education company, invented the removable deployment system to reduce drag, and now trains elite military parachute units while developing new skydiving technologies.

In Honor of Veterans

Georgia Tech held a dedication ceremony on November 10 to unveil plans for the Veterans Walk of Honor, a new campus tribute to Yellow Jackets who have served in the military. The Walk of Honor, expected to be completed in spring 2023, will feature markers for each military branch and consolidate existing plaques in a dynamic space near the Veterans Resource Center. The event also honored distinguished veterans like retired Col. Ralph Puckett, Jr., Cls 47, a recent Medal of Honor recipient, and highlighted the Institute's enduring legacy of progress and service.

Larger-Than-Life Creations

Georgia Tech alumni have built some of the world's most impressive large-scale projects. This article showcases ten examples of their ingenuity, ranging from viral holiday decorations and iconic city skyscrapers to the world's largest man-made whitewater river. These creations in architecture, engineering, and design demonstrate the far-reaching impact of a Georgia Tech education.

Science Square: The Future is at Georgia Tech

Georgia Tech's newest innovation hub, Science Square, is an 18-acre multi-phase development designed to be a catalyst for life sciences and biotechnology. The district will feature over 1.8 million square feet of lab and office space, residential units, and retail, connected to campus by a $46 million pedestrian bridge. With purpose-built laboratory facilities and community engagement initiatives, Science Square aims to create a comprehensive ecosystem for scientific innovation and westside community development.

How to Put On an International Sporting Event

Georgia Tech plays a crucial role whenever Atlanta hosts major sporting events like the Super Bowl, Olympics, or upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Institute provides essential infrastructure, including training facilities and stadiums, while Tech students serve as valuable volunteers who gain real leadership experience. With its international diversity and deep community connections, Georgia Tech helps Atlanta successfully showcase the city to global audiences during these high-profile events.

Designing Her Dream Job

Georgia Tech alumna Kai Williamson, PP 06, MS PP 07, has built a successful career in interior design despite taking a non-traditional path. Her firm, Studio 7 Design Group, has worked with high-profile clients like Kevin Hart and has been featured in Architectural Digest and on HGTV's Luxe for Less. Williamson leverages her public policy background and initial interest in fashion to create dynamic, community-focused spaces, leaving a visual legacy for others to experience.

Courage on Display: Explore the Veterans Walk of Honor Outside the Veterans Resource Center

Georgia Tech unveiled the Veterans Walk of Honor, continuing a deep history of supporting and honoring Yellow Jackets who have served their country. The display recognizes the sacrifices made by veterans and symbolizes Tech’s enduring commitment to active-duty service members, veterans, and their families. The ceremony featured speeches from Georgia Tech President Ángel Cabrera and other leaders, concluding with a performance by the University of North Georgia rifle team.

The Luck of the Irish

How two grads fell in love at the Aer Lingus Classic‚ and why fans are about to fall in love with football all over again.

The Big Moment

“The South Stands at Armageddon”: Georgia Tech and the Racial Politics of the 1956 Sugar Bowl

Big Return

Star athletes return to Georgia Tech to take care of unfinished business

BigHoops

The new “Topgolf for Basketball” game is a Georgia Tech grad’s slam-dunk idea.

Explore Antarctica With Yellow Jackets

Eighteen adventurous Yellow Jackets traveled together to the far reaches of the world to explore Antarctica through the Georgia Tech Alumni Travel program.

Searching for 81,500 Americans Missing In Action

Double Jacket Kelly McKeague, IE 81, MS IE 87, directs the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, which is tasked with the sacred mission of finding Americans missing from past wars. The agency works to investigate, recover, and identify the remains of over 81,500 missing service members to bring closure to their families. Utilizing advanced technologies like isotope analysis and artificial intelligence, McKeague's team fulfills a national promise to never leave a fallen comrade behind.

AI is Coming for the College Essay

Rick Clark isn't worried. Tech's Executive Director for Strategic Student Access in Enrollment Management was one of the first to provide guidance on AI in the college admissions process. Find out Clark's other predictions for the future.