Alumnus' Commitment to Support Faculty

Githesh Ramamurthy, M.S. ICS 1983, has made a commitment to establish a fund to support faculty in the College of Computing, with a special focus on artificial intelligence.

“I see the power of AI to change people’s lives,” said Ramamurthy, the chair and CEO of CCC Intelligent Solutions. He believes AI is a “force multiplier” that will lift people, societies, and human achievement in general. Ramamurthy decided to give to Tech for two reasons. First, he appreciates how thoughtful the Institute is about the costs students pay. “Tech truly spends money on educating students,” he said. Second, he views his gift as a force multiplier in its own right. “What I love about Tech is the impact it had on me,” Ramamurthy said, “and also the impact my gift could have on a large industry."

To provide support for computing faculty and their innovative research, contact Jason Zwang, senior director of Development, College of Computing, at jason.zwang@cc.gatech.edu.

Celebrating Generosity, Legacy, and the Future of Design

At the close of 2025, the School of Architecture and the School of City and Regional Planning brought together distinguished alumni donors and student fellows for a gathering at the John and Joyce Caddell Building. The event highlighted the enduring impact of philanthropy on student success and the shared commitment to mentorship, excellence, and community across the College of Design. 

Donors connected with students supported by the Gwinner Student Award, the School of Architecture Class of 1979 Endowment, the Bolton Prize, the Kennedy Fellowship, and the Eastman Fellowship. Conversations centered on professional journeys, mentorship, and the importance of paying opportunity forward. 

The gathering reinforced how philanthropic support extends beyond scholarships — cultivating leadership, connection, and a lasting culture of generosity that continues to shape the next generation of architects and planners.

To support scholarships for design students, contact Kelly Smith, director of Development, College of Design, at kelly.smith@design.gatech.edu.

Woodruff School Welcomes New Chair

Carolyn Seepersad, M.S. ME 2001, Ph.D. ME 2004, is the new leader of the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering. She began her role as the Eugene C. Gwaltney Jr. School Chair on Jan. 1. 

Seepersad has been a Woodruff School faculty member since 2023. She co-leads the TechMade Initiative, which is building an engineering design community on campus. The initiative spans the College of Engineering, the College of Design, and the Scheller College of Business to provide students with hands-on exposure to the full spectrum of product realization, from design to manufacturing, regardless of their major. 

Her appointment comes after the Woodruff School recently received a $100 million bequest from alumnus John Durstine, ME 1957. The gift will establish endowed chairs, professorships, and faculty awards; support innovation infrastructure; and seed bold ideas. 

A former Rhodes scholar, Seepersad has focused her research and teaching on design for additive manufacturing, process innovation in additive manufacturing, and simulation-based and data-driven engineering design.

To learn more and support Carolyn Seepersad’s vision for the Woodruff School, contact Jaimie Hayes, senior director of Development, George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, at jaimie.hayes@me.gatech.edu.

Dean's Scholarship Program Attracts Top Students

Since its inception, the Scheller College of Business Dean’s Scholarship Program has been a beacon of academic excellence and leadership development. Now in its 16th year, the program fueled by philanthropy has benefited more than 200 exceptional students from across the United States selected not only for their academic merit, but also for their leadership, community service, and potential to thrive throughout a rigorous undergraduate business curriculum. 

These scholars don’t just succeed — they lead. They elevate the classroom experience, enrich the campus community, and go on to make meaningful contributions in industries and organizations around the globe. Their presence has been instrumental in Scheller's rise in national prominence, including its top placements among the world’s most influential business schools. As Scheller continues to grow, merit-based scholarships funded by donors are vital to attracting the most talented and deserving students.

To provide scholarship support for talented business students, contact Duante Stanton, senior director of Development, Scheller College of Business, at dstanton30@gatech.edu.

Inaugural Cohort of Bill Kent Fellows Advances Ethical AI Applications

The College of Lifetime Learning's inaugural cohort of Bill Kent Fellows was recently selected from a competitive field of applicants representing all seven Colleges at Georgia Tech. The 2025-26 Fellows — Flavio Fenton, Joy Arulraj, Patrick Danahy, and Ying Zhang — are leading projects that demonstrate how thoughtful, evidence-based uses of artificial intelligence can enhance learning across disciplines. Their work spans AI-supported tutoring, personalized engineering education, design ideation, and new instructional tools that strengthen conceptual understanding in the sciences. The fellowship reflects Georgia Tech’s commitment to advancing ethical and effective applications of AI in education and supports faculty innovation that will help learners at every stage of life.

To learn more or to support the College of Lifetime Learning’s programs for learners at every stage, contact Macie Thompson, director of Development, at macie.thompson@dev.gatech.edu.

Advisory Board Establishes Endowed Scholarship

The Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts Advisory Board, leveraging the Invest in the Best Scholarship Challenge in 2025, has established the IAC Advisory Board Dean’s Scholarship Endowment, which will fund need-based scholarships for Ivan Allen College students. This initiative reflects two of the board’s top priorities: increasing financial aid and attracting top talent to the Ivan Allen College. 

Cora Harris, a first-year economics and international affairs student, is the first student to receive the scholarship. Harris wants to pursue a career in international business and government, and the scholarship is helping her take the first steps toward that goal. 

Gene Kansas, M.S. DM 2016, vice chair of the Advisory Board, said, “As board members of Ivan Allen College, we put great emphasis on demonstrating what’s possible. The IAC Advisory Board Dean's Scholarship is self-fulfilling in this endeavor while also helping Georgia Tech attract and retain the best and brightest. As with anything of great consequence, this was a team effort and one we’re all proud of, for this generation and many to follow.

To ensure liberal arts students with financial need have access to a Georgia Tech education, contact Lauren Kennedy, director of Development, Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts, at lauren.kennedy@dev.gatech.edu.

Gift to College of Sciences Supports Glaucoma Research

Postdoctoral Research Fellow Hannah Youngblood’s work on pseudoexfoliation glaucoma was recently highlighted by the BrightFocus Foundation, catching the attention of Jennifer Rucker of Alabama, who was diagnosed with the condition several years ago. 

Inspired to support research that could change outcomes for people like her — and proud that it’s happening at the alma mater of her husband, Philip Rucker, EE 1972 — Rucker reached out to Raquel Lieberman, professor and Kelly Sepcic Pfeil Chair in Chemistry in the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry. 

That outreach led to the creation of the Georgia Tech Glaucoma Research Fund (Wreck Glaucoma! Fund). “As the wife of a Georgia Tech graduate and an individual with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma, I was inspired to support the scientists whose efforts may help me and others,” said Rucker. 

This new fund strengthens Tech’s leadership in vision‑saving discoveries — and invites others to join the effort.

To fund groundbreaking faculty research in the College of Sciences contact Dan Warren, director of Development, College of Sciences, at dan.warren.cos@gatech.edu.

Giving Day and Ramble the Night Celebrations Boost Impact

On April 16 – 17, Yellow Jackets will come together through Georgia Tech Giving Day and Ramble the Night — a powerful blend of philanthropy, connection, and community pride. 

Georgia Tech Giving Day is a high energy, 24-hour online giving event where the Tech community rallies to support scholarships, student needs, and programs that enhance the student experience. Giving Day begins April 16 at noon and runs through April 17 at noon. 

Connect with Jackets in your community during Ramble the Night, a one-night-only global gathering on April 16. Thousands of Yellow Jackets gather at events around the globe to meet old friends and make new ones, share memories, and celebrate Georgia Tech. Click here to make your gift.

The Marilyn Somers Living History Collection Preserves Georgia Tech's Past

Featuring nearly 550 interviews — with more added soon — the Marilyn Somers Living History Collection offers an unparalleled look into the history of those who made Tech what it is today. 

Few people have done more to preserve Georgia Tech’s rich history than Somers, who retired Dec. 31, 2020, as director of the Living History Program, which she built from the ground up in 1994. Somers died in January 2024. 

The program preserves and catalogs the stories of Georgia Tech alumni and friends, and Somers conducted 1,192 video interviews, including hall-of-famers, World War II heroes, and every “helluva engineer” in between. She produced more than 200 documentaries for Tech and made more than 700 public presentations on Tech’s history. In recognition of her many contributions to the Institute and the Yellow Jacket community, Somers was named an honorary alumna by the Georgia Tech Alumni Association in 2008. 

This collection is made possible by the Marilyn Somers Endowment Fund for Living History and Archives.

To support collections such as this housed within the Georgia Tech Library, contact Emily Wong, senior director of Development, Student Experience, at emily.wong@dev.gatech.edu.

Stay Connected to Your Impact at Georgia Tech

Discover the Georgia Tech Foundation Donor Portal, a secure, user-friendly hub for tracking your contributions and staying informed. With advanced encryption protecting your personal data, the portal offers 24/7 access to everything you need, including: Athletics Gift Summaries, Complete Giving History, Enhanced Endowment Reports, Annual Gift Statements, Roll Call Summaries, and Profile Updates. Your support shapes the future of Georgia Tech. Now, you can see the difference you make — anytime, anywhere.

Georgia Tech Climbs to No. 2 in Federally Sponsored Research Expenditures

As a leading R1 research university, Georgia Tech is shaping the future of basic and applied research by advancing inventive solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges. Powered by philanthropy alongside public and private support, our faculty, researchers, staff, and students collaborate across disciplines to push new frontiers in science and technology and deliver impact at scale. 

The National Science Foundation’s latest Higher Education Research and Development (HERD) Survey ranks Georgia Tech No. 2 nationally in federally sponsored research expenditures for 2024, our highest position ever and a 70% increase since 2019. Across all externally funded research, Georgia Tech ranks No. 6 nationally and remains No. 1 among universities without a medical school. 

This momentum reflects exceptional talent and growing confidence in Georgia Tech’s ability to deliver transformative, solutions‑driven research. Philanthropic investment is essential to sustaining this momentum, fueling bold ideas, and accelerating discoveries into real‑world impact.

To support Georgia Tech's research enterprise, contact Meagan Burton-Krieger, executive director of Campaign Operations and chief of staff, at meagan.burton-krieger@dev.gatech.edu.

Athletic Celebrates Golden Jackets

Weekend took place Nov. 21 – 22, 2025. As part of the festivities, Tech Athletics celebrated 11 new Golden Jackets — the highest level of recognition of support for Athletics through the Alexander-Tharpe Fund. Golden Jackets have made cumulative cash gifts of $1 million or more in support of Georgia Tech Athletics. 

The newest Golden Jackets were honored during a celebration in which Georgia Tech Vice President and Director of Athletics Ryan Alpert presented the honorees with gold jackets in recognition of their generous support. 

On Saturday, Nov. 22, the newest Golden Jackets were publicly recognized in an on-field ceremony during the Georgia Tech-Pittsburgh football game at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field.

To learn more or make a gift to Athletics, contact Robby Poteat, executive associate athletics director for Development, at rpoteat@athletics.gatech.edu.

MH-RISE: Expanding Access to the Care Students Need

Launched this academic year, Mental Health Resources in the Surrounding Environment (MH‑RISE) is a pilot program focused on providing Georgia Tech students with access to timely, high‑quality mental health care beyond on‑campus services. Support from donors is essential to sustaining this program. Through partnerships with trusted off‑campus providers, MH‑RISE covers up to 12 outpatient therapy sessions for eligible students, removing financial and logistical barriers and helping students access care quickly when it matters most. 

Students come to Georgia Tech to pursue ambitious goals, yet mental health challenges can disrupt academic focus and well‑being. While many students find support through the Center for Mental Health Care & Resources, some require longer‑term or higher‑level outpatient care. Too often, cost or insurance limitations prevent students from accessing community‑based services. MH‑RISE was created to close this gap and ensure students can continue their education with the support they need.

To learn more or to enhance the student experience at Georgia Tech, contact Emily Wong, senior director of Development, Student Experience, at emily.wong@dev.gatech.edu.