First TA Scholarship Awarded in the School of Computing Instruction
The School of Computing Instruction (SCI) has awarded its first Undergraduate Teaching Assistant Scholarship to Ethan Fox, a fourth-year computer engineering student. This scholarship, created in 2022 by SCI Interim Chair Mary Hudachek-Buswell, highlights exceptional contributions from undergraduate teaching assistants (TAs).
“I became interested in becoming a teaching assistant after seeing what a community the TAs of CS 1332 have and how important they are in the course,” Fox said. Inspired by TAs in his classes, he joined the team for Hudachek-Buswell’s Data Structures and Algorithms course seven semesters ago. The scholarship recognizes not only Fox’s academic achievements but also his positive influence on his peers and the broader Georgia Tech community.
Fox’s dedication, leadership, and commitment to education exemplify the qualities the SCI Undergraduate Teaching Assistant Scholarship seeks to honor.
To learn more or make a gift to the College of Computing, contact Jason Zwang, senior director of Development, College of Computing, at jason.zwang@cc.gatech.edu.
Interdisciplinary Research Center Advances City Resilience
As the hub of urban resilience research at Georgia Tech, the Center for Urban Resilience and Analytics (CURA) will integrate disciplines from across campus and innovative data science tools to advance urban regions' resiliency. Housed in the College of Design, CURA will blend research from world-class leaders in geospatial information science, urban planning, and urban analytics with research partners across the Institute.
CURA is the next chapter of research from the College of Design's Center for Spatial Planning and Analytics and the Center for Quality Growth and Regional Development, as well as the Urban Climate Lab in the School of City and Regional Planning, Executive Director Subhro Guhathakurta said.
“Through regular collaboration with groups like the Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems, the Strategic Energy Institute, and the Institute for People and Technology, we found that the urban-based nature of our work regularly extends efforts throughout Georgia Tech's research and academic communities.”
He added, “By combining expertise from different research centers, CURA can tackle complex urban problems holistically, integrating science, policy, and design to improve community equity and resilience.”
For more information or to make a gift to the College of Design, contact Kelly Smith, director of Development, College of Design, at kelly.smith@design.gatech.edu.
Pinar Keskinocak Named Chair of H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering
On Jan. 1, Pinar Keskinocak began her tenure as the H. Milton and Carolyn J. Stewart School Chair, leading Georgia Tech’s H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISyE). She is ISyE’s ninth permanent chair, leading a school renowned for its top-ranked graduate and undergraduate industrial engineering programs. U.S. News & World Report has consistently ranked ISyE as the nation's best since the mid-1990s.
Keskinocak is the co-founder and director of Georgia Tech’s Center for Health and Humanitarian Systems, an interdisciplinary research center focused on education, outreach, and developing innovative solutions via advanced modeling, analytics, and systems engineering. Her research has had a broad societal impact. This includes policies and practices for improved emergency preparedness and response, disease prevention and public health, healthcare access, resource allocation, and supply chain management.
To learn more or make a gift in support of ISyE, contact Nancy Sandlin, senior director of Development for ISyE, at nancy.sandlin@isye.gatech.edu.
Gift to the College of Lifetime Learning Supports Teacher Training in Computer Science
Georgia Tech’s seventh College and the first to be established in more than 30 years, the College of Lifetime Learning seeks to elevate the academic study of learning and transform how individuals and organizations understand and practice learning at all
levels and ages.
The College is receiving support from Google.org to launch a new online teacher training program in computer science that will be made available across the United States. The curriculum for the pilot program will build on the student-centered computing course, AP Computer Science Principles, developed by the College’s Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics, and Computing. Georgia Tech Professional Education, another unit within the College, is a partner in the project, coordinating online professional development workshops for teachers.
The support from Google.org also will fund a hybrid component specifically for Georgia teachers.
To make a gift or commitment to the College of Lifetime Learning, contact Ashley Coogan, assistant vice president for Unit Development, at ashley.coogan@dev.gatech.edu.
Announcing Science for Georgia's Tomorrow
The College of Sciences has launched Science for Georgia’s Tomorrow, a new center focused on research that aims to improve life across the state. “From resilient communities and agriculture to health and sustainable energy resources, Science for Georgia's Tomorrow will focus on improving the lives of Georgians and their communities,” says Susan Lozier, dean and Betsy Middleton and John Clark Sutherland Chair.
An expansion of the College’s strategic plan, Science for Georgia's Tomorrow — Sci4GT, for short — will foster research in direct service to Georgia cities, counties, and communities. The center specifically addresses critical health and climate challenges throughout the state and seeks to pave the way for increased public-private partnerships. The initiative will also expand access — broadening participation opportunities for Georgia students and communities to engage with research. The search for an inaugural faculty director has commenced and will be followed by a dedicated cluster hire in 2025, funded by the Office of the Provost.
To learn more or make a gift or commitment to Sci4GT, contact Dan Warren, director of Development for the College of Sciences, at dan.warren@cos.gatech.edu.
Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts Names New Dean
Following an international search, Georgia Tech has appointed Amanda Murdie as the new dean and Ivan Allen Jr. Chair in the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts, effective June 1, 2025. Murdie currently serves as a Regents’ Professor, Georgia Athletic Association Professor of International Affairs, and the head of the Department of International Affairs in the University of Georgia’s School of Public and International Affairs.
As the new dean and Ivan Allen Jr. Chair of the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts, Murdie will oversee a broad portfolio of academic programs that includes 10 bachelor’s degrees, 14 master’s degrees, and six Ph.D. programs. She also will work to strengthen and expand the College’s research initiatives and community partnerships, further enhancing its role as a model of liberal arts education within a technological university. Her appointment affirms Georgia Tech's commitment to the expansion of interdisciplinary education and research.
To make a gift or commitment to the Ivan Allen College, contact Lauren M. Kennedy, director of Development, at lauren.kennedy@dev.gatech.edu.
Scheller Launches Center for Finance and Technology
In the fall, the Scheller College of Business announced the launch of the Center for Finance and Technology, a pioneering initiative aimed at developing the next generation of finance professionals. The Center's vision is to make Georgia Tech and the Scheller College of Business the preeminent sources of finance talent by fostering collaborative, ethical, and industry-ready financial services industry professionals.
Supported by a generous gift from Jenny and Mike Messner, CE 1976, HON Ph.D. 2023, the Center was introduced at a special panel and networking reception held in New York City. Through practical and rigorous extracurricular and experiential learning opportunities, the Center will serve all Georgia Tech undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in pursuing careers in the financial services industry.
To learn more or make a gift in support of the Center for Finance and Technology, contact Scheller College Senior Director of Development Duante Stanton at duante.stanton@scheller.gatech.edu.
The Powerful Tradition of Roll Call
Georgia Tech continues to expand its facilities and the student body. Enrollment in Fall 2024 surpassed that of Georgia State University, making it the University System of Georgia’s largest institution based on the total number of students enrolled. This growth is possible with support from Roll Call, which is an easy way for community members to give back to make a meaningful impact on the future of the Institute.
In 1947, in the wake of World War II, Georgia Tech faced a critical lack of funding. The Institute and the Georgia Tech Alumni Association asked students and alumni to help. The Alumni Association dropped its dues requirement and asked everyone to give $5 plus a dollar for each year that had passed since they graduated. Because alumni were asked to be “present” in support of Tech, the initiative was coined “Roll Call.”
Gifts to Roll Call are unrestricted, which means they can address sudden challenges, like in 2020, when the Alumni Association partnered with Student Life and the Office of Development to support students who were affected by the pandemic.
Make your gift to Roll Call today.
Athletics' CDI Triple Play a Success
For the third year in a row, Georgia Tech Athletics, the Institute, and the Georgia Tech Foundation partnered together to launch the Competitive Drive Initiative Triple Play. This year, the initiative raised $3.1 million, 124% of the original $2.5 million goal, thanks to over 1,800 generous donors.
Funds raised by CDI Triple Play were allocated to the Athletic Scholarship Fund, which provides direct support for student-athlete scholarships. This fund is one of the Alexander-Tharpe Fund's highest priorities as it helps bridge the gap between endowment returns and scholarship costs.
To make a gift to Georgia Tech Athletics, contact Robby Poteat, executive associate athletics director for Development, at rpoteat@athletics.gatech.edu.
'Edit Profile' Now Available on Georgia Tech Foundation Donor Portal
The Georgia Tech Foundation is excited to announce a new update to the Donor Portal — where donors can now easily update their profile information. With the new “Edit Profile” page, users can add or update their email addresses, phone numbers, and mailing addresses seamlessly.
To ensure your information is up to date, visit myportal.gtf.gatech.edu/donorportal and sign in with your username and password.
'Defining Skylines: John Portman and the Architectural Evolution of Downtown Atlanta' Exhibit Opens
The Georgia Tech Library is hosting a special exhibition highlighting the extraordinary life and work of John C. Portman Jr., ARCH 1950, HON Ph.D. 2012, the visionary architect behind some of Atlanta’s most iconic buildings.
A proud Georgia Tech alumnus, Portman reshaped the city’s skyline with his innovative designs, including the Hyatt Regency and Peachtree Center. This exhibit offers an exclusive look into Portman’s creative process, architectural achievements, and lasting influence on urban design, featuring artifacts from both the Georgia Tech Archives and Special Collections and the Portman Archives. Explore how Portman’s connection to Georgia Tech helped shape his remarkable career and continues to inspire future generations of architects and designers. The exhibit, located in the gallery in the Price Gilbert Memorial Library, runs through December.
For more information or to make a gift in support of the Library, contact Heather Howarth, director of Development for the Library, at heather.howarth@library.gatech.edu.
Tim Lieuwen Named Georgia Tech’s Executive Vice President for Research
Following a nationwide search, Georgia Tech President Ángel Cabrera has named Timothy “Tim” Lieuwen, M.S. ME 1997, Ph.D. ME 1999, the executive vice president for Research (EVPR). Lieuwen has served as interim EVPR since September 2024.
“Tim’s ability to bridge academia, industry, and government has been instrumental in driving innovation and positioning Georgia Tech as a critical partner in tackling complex global challenges,” said Cabrera. “With his leadership, I am confident Georgia Tech will continue to expand its impact, strengthen its strategic collaborations, and further solidify its reputation as a world leader in research and innovation.”
Lieuwen has spent more than 25 years at the Institute. He is a Regents’ Professor and holds the David S. Lewis Jr. Chair in the Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering. Before the interim EVPR role, Lieuwen served as executive director of the Strategic Energy Institute for 12 years. His expertise spans energy, propulsion, energy policy, and national security, and he has worked closely with industry and government to develop new knowledge and see its implementation in the field.
To learn more or make a gift to research, contact Meagan Burton-Krieger, executive director of Campaign Operations and chief of staff, at meagan.burton-krieger@dev.gatech.edu.