The Georgia Tech Alumni Association remembers Marilyn Somers, HON 08, a Tech icon whose pioneering work preserved the stories of hundreds of Georgia Tech alumni and friends.
Marilyn Somers, honorary alumna and beloved founder of the Georgia Tech Living History Program, passed away on Jan. 3, 2024, at age 86. Through decades of pioneering work preserving Georgia Tech’s history, Somers has left an indelible mark on the Institute and touched the lives of thousands of Yellow Jackets in the process.
Dene Sheheane, president of the Georgia Tech Alumni Association, shares, “It’s difficult to put into words how much Marilyn has done for Georgia Tech history. She devoted her life to preserving the history of this institution and our people, and we are deeply grateful for her many contributions.”
In 1994, Somers, then director of communication at the Georgia Tech Alumni Association, created the Living History Program after receiving a call from a nursing home asking for a recording of the fight song for an alumnus’ 100th birthday party. She served as Living History Program’s director for 26 years before retiring on Dec. 31, 2020. During her time as director, Somers conducted 1,192 video interviews of Georgia Tech alumni, faculty, and former staff members. Among those interviewed were Georgia Tech presidents, former President Jimmy Carter, astronauts, and even George P. Burdell.
The videos and transcripts from these interviews not only provide a more complete history of the Institute as told through the voices of those who lived its history, but the recordings have also become cherished mementos for families.
Somers’ impressive knowledge of the Institute and her ability to recall names and facts from memory made her Georgia Tech’s de facto historian. A natural storyteller, she captivated audiences each year with her popular Homecoming talks on Tech traditions and history.
In 2008, the Institute recognized her many contributions by naming her an honorary alumna of Georgia Tech. To further commemorate her work preserving Tech’s history, the Marilyn Somers Living History Program Collection, 1994-2020 was unveiled in 2021. The collection is housed in the Georgia Tech Archives and Special Collections. The Georgia Historical Records Advisory Council recognized her decades of distinguished work through the Living History Program with the 2021 Award for Excellence in Lifetime Achievement.
Somers most enjoyed working with students, often keeping in touch with her former Living History student interns long after they had graduated. She started a newsletter for former interns to share family photos and news with her and each other.
Even in retirement, Somers continued to stay in touch with a vast network of alumni and friends whom she had met at Georgia Tech. She continued writing hundreds of birthday and holiday cards to alumni, checking in on many through phone calls. When the weather was warm, she also enjoyed having lunch with guests in her beautiful garden.
Marilyn Somers, HON 08, with former President Jimmy Carter, Cls 46, HON PhD 79.
Champion of Tech History
Marilylin Somers not only preserved Georgia Tech history but became a history-maker herself. When she announced her retirement in December 2020, many of her former student interns as well as faculty, staff, alumni, and others who were touched by her work sent the Alumni Association letters expressing how much she would be missed and how her contributions have made an impact at the Institute.
Read a few of these letters below:
“No one else could know all about Sideways and George P. Burdell like Marilyn did. And she could relate all this history to any crowd of Tech alumni without any notes. Marilyn has worked many long hours gathering and preserving this wonderful history before it is lost to the ravages of time. No words from me can adequately describe how important she has been to Georgia Tech.”– JOHN BURSON, CHE 56, MS MET 63, PHD CHE 64
“I remember the first compilation video we did was for the World War II graduating years, which was just fascinating to me. I remember being terrified because I had to interview Cherry Emerson, Jr., myself since Marilyn had a conflict after the interview was scheduled. I remember thinking to myself that I should just do what Marilyn does and things will be all right. It is impressive to see all of the many interns whose lives have been touched by working in the Living History Program with Marilyn.”– BARBARA SCHANTZ, HTS 95, INTERN 1994–1995
“At heart, Marilyn is a storyteller. She wasn’t just interviewing an alumnus for their Georgia Tech story, but their life story. As an intern archiving these stories, not only did I see what decisions led that person to Tech or what life was like on campus, but I was able to see how Tech continued to be woven into their life and career afterwards. Whether by skills, values, friendships or traditions, we heard countless stories of the irreplaceable impact of what it meant to be a Yellow Jacket. Marilyn has been so passionate about collecting and preserving Georgia Tech’s history, and she has truly brought life to our Living History. Not just for the family of the loved one’s she’s interviewed, but for all who have been able to share in it through watching the documentaries at events or on social media outlets.”– KARA SZCZEPANIEC, ID 01, INTERN 1998–2001