On Oct. 5, Georgia Tech unveiled the Walter G. Ehmer Theater in the John Lewis Student Center. Previously the Atlantic Theater, the new name perpetuates the legacy of Walt Ehmer, IE 1989, the late CEO of Waffle House Inc. More than 100 friends, family, colleagues, and alumni came together to fund the Walter G. Ehmer Scholarship and the newly dedicated theater in Ehmer’s honor and memory to amplify his impact both on students and the Institute he dearly loved.

An esteemed business and community leader, Ehmer remained engaged with Georgia Tech after he graduated and often returned to campus to speak with students about leadership. The dedication celebrated Ehmer’s legacy and featured speakers including Executive Director for Student Engagement and Well-Being Kim Harrington; Georgia Tech President Ángel Cabrera; Ehmer’s son, Greg Ehmer, BA 2015; and Ehmer’s friend and fellow alumnus, Tom Noonan, ME 1983. Cabrera said that Ehmer “truly enjoyed those moments of connection with students” and called the theater a fitting tribute to Ehmer, who selected this space for the ideas and conversations that will happen in the room for years to come.

The theater offers an immersive experience within its raked seating for 297 guests, showcasing cutting-edge technology and a full performance stage. In her remarks about the impact of the Walter G. Ehmer Theater for the Georgia Tech community, Harrington said that the space “inspires students and cultivates a sense of belonging.”

A proud lifelong Yellow Jacket, Ehmer began his career at Allen-Bradley before joining Waffle House in 1992. He held various positions there, becoming co-president and chief operating officer in 2006, chief executive officer in 2012, and chairman in 2022. Throughout his professional and personal life, Ehmer focused on building relationships and serving others, both within and beyond Waffle House. He served on numerous boards including the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Foundation, the Atlanta Police Foundation, Aaron’s, and the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce.

Ehmer provided extensive volunteer leadership to Georgia Tech through his service on the Georgia Tech Alumni Association Board of Trustees, the Georgia Tech Foundation Board of Trustees, the Georgia Tech Advisory Board, the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering Advisory Board, and the Transforming Tomorrow Campaign Steering Committee, among others. This year, he received the Joseph Mayo Pettit Alumni Distinguished Service Award, the highest award conferred by the Georgia Tech Alumni Association. Ehmer met his wife, Kara, through Georgia Tech, and in addition to his son Greg, his daughters Anna Kate Ehmer, BA 2017, and Lesley Ehmer, IE 2020, are also Yellow Jackets.

Describing Ehmer’s extraordinary dedication to his community and strong ties to the Institute, Noonan said, “Walt’s life embodied service, leadership, integrity, and a deep, deep love for Georgia Tech.”

To learn more or make a commitment or gift to the Walter G. Ehmer Scholarship, contact Meagan Burton-Krieger, executive director of Campaign Operations and Institute Strategic Priorities, at meagan.burton-krieger@dev.gatech.edu.