Reunion Giving: Leaving a Legacy

This fall, members of the Classes of 1975, 1985, 2000, and 2015 will return to campus for Homecoming & Reunion Weekend, October 23 – 25, to commemorate their milestone reunions. They’ll be joined by alumni from the Class of 1965 who are celebrating 60 years since they graduated from Tech. In the spirit of Progress and Service, these classes will honor the past and invest in the future through their collective philanthropic support that will advance the Institute’s mission. 

Class of 1965

“The Class of 1965 had a record-breaking 50th reunion, with more than $41 million raised and a 50% class participation rate. When I realized that Georgia Tech didn’t have a formal 60th reunion, I asked President Cabrera to establish one. He said, ‘Do it. You have the ball.’ I went back to the same four co-chairs of our 50th, and all agreed to help again. Off we go in our quest for a fun weekend and to set more giving records.”

– Bo Godbold, IE 1965, Class of 1965 Chair

Class of 1975

“I feel gratitude to Georgia Tech for the lasting friendships and for helping me launch my career. My five years at Tech were special. Filling the chair role is a small way of saying ‘thank you!’ Our committee shares similar feelings of gratitude and a desire to give back to Georgia Tech. For our class project, we are endowing a Class of 1975 need-based scholarship. It is our hope that future students will enjoy similar positive Tech experiences and will continue the Tech legacy of Progress and Service.”

– Ted Haile, CHE 1975, Class of 1975 Chair

Class of 1985

"My family always encouraged me to work hard academically, which allowed me the chance to achieve my dream of becoming a Yellow Jacket. Being asked to co-chair the Class of 1985 40th Reunion is an honor. It allows me the opportunity to give back as well as reconnect with old friends and classmates. When Georgia Tech is in your blood, serving is a privilege."

– Barry Cowart, IMGT 1985, Class of 1985 Co-chair

“While serving on the advisory board of the Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, I not only reconnected with Tech but once again realized what made it an amazing place. Its investments in making a world-class education achievable for the underserved are a blueprint that higher education should embrace. As a reunion co-chair, my hope is to help others reconnect with this great institution.”

– Steve Pinsky, ME 1985, Class of 1985 Co-chair

Class of 2000

“Our love for Georgia Tech runs deep. Jonathon is a fourth-generation Yellow Jacket, and together we are thrilled that our daughter will continue the tradition as a member of the Class of 2029. As proud members of the Class of 2000 — the final class to graduate in the 20th century — we are honored to serve as chairs of our 25th Reunion Committee. Our class witnessed a time of tremendous change on campus — from the rise of the internet to the shift from quarters to semesters, and even the excitement of the Centennial Olympic Games. We have loved reconnecting with so many members of our class — the greatest class in Georgia Tech history. We hope to see everyone at Homecoming in October. We are grateful to be part of such a special alumni community.”

– Jonathon Barge, ME 2000, M.S. BC 2002 & Sarah Barge, IE 2000, Class of 2000 Co-chairs

Class of 2015

“This reunion is our opportunity to reflect, celebrate, and reconnect with the people who shaped our formative years and to proudly be the first-ever class to celebrate a 10-year reunion at Georgia Tech. Our reunion committee chose to support Students’ Temporary Assistance and Resources Services (STAR) because no student should have to choose between basic needs and academic success. From food insecurity to emergency housing, the STAR team works behind the scenes to ensure students can stay enrolled and focused. Our class goal of raising $30,000 will expand that impact, bolstering the safety net for those who need it most.”

– Erin Lightfoot Robinson, IE 2015, Class of 2015 Chair

For more information about Homecoming events, visit gtalumni.org/homecoming. For information about Reunion Giving, contact Stefanie Smith, director of Development, Reunion Giving, at stefanie.smith@dev.gatech.edu.