Design Garden Named for Hahn Family
The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering’s (BME) 3,000-square-foot student design and innovation space was renamed the Hahn Family Design Garden in May following a gift from Joan Stanescu, Terrence Hahn, and their daughters: Eileen Hahn; Jocelyn Hahn, BME 2024; and Rene Hahn, ME 2024, M.S. ME 2026. The facility originally opened in 2021 through an earlier gift from the Hahn family, inspired by the daughters’ belief in its potential to enhance and elevate the student experience.
The Hahn family has also established a BME Design & Innovation Challenge. The initiative is a dollar-for-dollar match for new gifts of $5,000 or more, up to $100,000, directed to the Design & Innovation Fund for support of the garden, the Capstone Design program, and additional design-focused educational and innovation priorities.
To participate in the challenge or support state-of-the-art facilities for the next generation of engineers, contact Dave Zaksheske, assistant vice president for Development, College of Engineering, at davez@coe.gatech.edu.
Accelerate Growth by Investing in the Dean's Excellence Fund
The College of Lifetime Learning is building a new academic ecosystem focused on understanding how people learn and applying that knowledge to improve learning across a lifetime. This year, the College welcomed Seyedahmad “Ahmad” Rahimi as its first tenure-track faculty member, strengthening its academic and research foundation. His expertise in learning sciences, artificial intelligence, instructional design, and psychometrics will support the College’s efforts to advance innovative, personalized approaches to learning.
The College is also launching its first credit-bearing credential this fall: the Minor in Learning. Developed in partnership with the School of Psychology, the program combines learning sciences, emerging technologies, and applied design to explore how people learn.
Together, these milestones reflect the College’s growing momentum. Philanthropic support through the Dean’s Excellence Fund helps accelerate that progress by providing flexible resources to recruit exceptional faculty, advance new academic programs, and invest in emerging opportunities that shape the future of lifetime learning.
To support the College of Lifetime Learning or contribute to the Dean’s Excellence Fund, contact Ashley Coogan, assistant vice president, Unit Development, at ashley.coogan@dev.gatech.edu.
Foundation Gifts Support Textbooks, Space Exploration Exhibit
As a result of grants awarded by the Lewis H. Beck Educational Foundation and from the Price Gilbert, Jr. Charitable Fund, the Georgia Tech Library will continue to provide students with essential resources.
The Beck Foundation grant will support the Library’s affordable education efforts by providing free textbooks to students, funding more than 300 titles from the Wiley Textbook Collection across psychology, the humanities, social sciences, and medicine.
Currently, each student who uses Library course reserves in lieu of textbook purchases saves approximately $170 per year — nearly a quarter of the average yearly textbook cost of $800. This number is expected to rise as more titles become available to students and faculty.
The grant from the Price Gilbert, Jr. Charitable Fund will help develop and install a gallery exhibition on space exploration and aerospace innovation, in addition to several public programs around the exhibit for students and the surrounding community.
To learn more or support affordable education efforts and exhibitions like these, contact Emily Wong, senior director of Development, Student Experience, at emily.wong@dev.gatech.edu.
New Fund for Coastal Resilience and Conservation
A new research fund and partnership between the Bald Head Island Conservancy (BHIC) and Georgia Tech for Georgia’s Tomorrow is advancing coastal resilience across the Southeast. Seeded by the generosity of Georgia Tech alumnus Dick Johnston, IM 1962, and Pat Johnston, the collaboration connects BHIC’s Johnston Center for Coastal Sustainability with Georgia Tech’s strengths in discovery science, engineering, and data analytics.
The new fund will support graduate student research in the College of Sciences and community-engaged projects focused on ecosystem health, salt marsh resilience, and conservation solutions. By pairing fieldbased expertise with innovative technologies, the effort will help coastal communities respond more effectively to environmental change — while also training the next generation of scientists.
The effort builds upon the Johnston family’s previous endowed support of undergraduate scholarships.
To fund groundbreaking research in the College of Sciences contact Dan Warren, director of Development, College of Sciences, at dan.warren.cos@gatech.edu.
College Honors Former Dean
The College of Computing is establishing an honorary fund in recognition of Richard DeMillo, Ph.D. ICS 1972, former John P. Imlay Dean of the College of Computing, upon his upcoming retirement in December.
DeMillo spent more than two decades shaping the College of Computing — establishing Schools, recruiting faculty, and positioning Georgia Tech as a national leader in cybersecurity and privacy research. To honor that legacy, a group of alumni and longtime colleagues has come together to establish the Richard A. DeMillo Fund, a permanent source of support for faculty working in cybersecurity and privacy at the College.
The fund is designed to do what DeMillo did throughout his tenure: give outstanding researchers, especially those early in their careers, essential resources. The endowment will support recruitment, retention, and funding for world-class faculty, ensuring that the College maintains its standing in the most advanced fields of computing and cybersecurity. Friends, colleagues, and alumni are invited to come together to fund the endowment in DeMillo’s honor to preserve his legacy and amplify his lasting impact on the College.
To support the College of Computing’s Richard A. DeMillo Endowment for Cybersecurity and Privacy, contact Jason Zwang, senior director of Development, College of Computing, at jason.zwang@cc.gatech.edu.
Empowering Public Policy Students at Georgia Tech
The Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy is committed to preparing leaders who will shape policy for a better future. For many talented students, financial barriers stand in the way of fully realizing their potential.
Richard Barke, PHYS 1972, and his wife, Nancy, are committed to changing that. They have established a new scholarship endowment in their names to support students with low or limited income. By reducing financial hurdles, students can focus on academics and seize opportunities that enrich their education and career trajectory.
Richard has exemplified teaching excellence and an unwavering commitment to students throughout his career at Georgia Tech. In addition to chairing committees that led to the creation of the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts and the Carter School, he has received numerous honors, including Georgia Tech’s Outstanding Service Award, the Ivan Allen College Faculty Legacy Award, and the Georgia Tech Student Government Association Faculty of the Year Award.
Nancy shares this dedication to student success, having worked in financial aid at several universities, including Georgia Tech. The couple firmly believes that education transforms lives. Together, their legacy underscores a profound commitment to empowering students.
To support the Richard and Nancy Barke Scholarship Endowment or other scholarships for liberal arts students, contact Lauren Kennedy, director of Development, Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts, at lauren.kennedy@dev.gatech.edu.
Your Giving. Your Impact. All in One Place.
The Georgia Tech Foundation Donor Portal gives you secure, around-the-clock access to your complete philanthropic story. Log in anytime to explore your full Giving History, Endowment Reports, Annual Gift Statements, Roll Call Summaries, Athletics Gift Summaries, and Profile Information — all protected by advanced data encryption.
At the center of your experience is a personalized dashboard designed for at-a-glance insight. Four interactive cards — Giving History, Endowments, Roll Call, and A-T Fund Priority Points — invite you to explore in greater depth: lifetime commitments, pledge balances, consecutive giving years, and athletic priority points, organized exactly where you need them.
Your generosity is building something remarkable at Georgia Tech. The portal puts the full picture in your hands — whenever, wherever it matters most.
New SEWB Advisory Board to Advance Student Success Through Philanthropy
Georgia Tech will launch a new Student Engagement and Well-Being (SEWB) Advisory Board in October to help expand philanthropic support for initiatives that foster student well-being, belonging, leadership development, and success. The board will serve as ambassadors and advocates for investments that strengthen the student experience for current and future Yellow Jackets.
“Philanthropic support helps create transformative opportunities for students to build community, develop durable skills, strengthen their well-being, and thrive during their time at Georgia Tech,” said Luoluo Hong, vice president for SEWB. “This advisory board will help connect passionate supporters with our mission and expand our impact for generations of students.”
The inaugural board of 20 to 25 members will provide strategic guidance, strengthen engagement with alumni and donors, and help identify new opportunities to invest in student success.
To learn more, contact Emily Wong, senior director of Development, Student Experience, at emily.wong@dev.gatech.edu.
Summer Tour Highlights Research Success
President Cabrera's Summer Tour spotlighted how Georgia Tech research strengthens communities and industries across the state. From AI-enabled manufacturing training for veterans to critical minerals research, agricultural innovation, and industry and corporate partnerships advancing aerospace, defense, and life sciences, the tour highlighted the many ways Georgia Tech's innovative research benefits our state and the nation.
As Tech researchers continue to power progress across the state, donor support remains a critical catalyst to accelerating breakthroughs, expanding industry partnerships, and translating ideas into solutions that improve lives and strengthen our future.
To learn how your investment can advance Georgia Tech’s research and fuel innovation, contact Meagan Burton-Krieger, executive director of Campaign Operations and chief of staff, at meagan.burton-krieger@dev.gatech.edu.
Fueling Georgia Tech's Momentum Together
Since 1947, donations to Roll Call have provided unrestricted funding for current students and the future of Georgia Tech. The Institute is currently ranked the No. 1 Best Value Public College for students without demonstrated need and the No. 1 in Career Placement among public schools by The Princeton Review. This reputation is fueling rising demand, with applications increasing for 18 consecutive years and an acceptance rate of just 13% last year.
The strength of the Yellow Jacket community drives this success — 92% of alumni say they would recommend Tech to prospective students. Georgia Tech plans to confer 15,000 degrees annually by 2030, with more than 13,000 already achieved. Our alumni network also ranks among the top five public institutions nationwide.
Your gift to Roll Call helps continue this momentum. Your support will help expand access and ensure an exceptional Georgia Tech experience for every student.
Bergmark Invests in Scheller’s Sports and Entertainment Minor
Philanthropy is helping bring Georgia Tech’s business of sports and entertainment minor to life in meaningful ways. Thanks to the generosity of Scheller College of Business alumnus and Advisory Board member Dick Bergmark, IMGT 1975, HON Ph.D. 2022, students are gaining hands-on experience with leading organizations, including the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta Braves, Georgia Tech Athletics, and the Ferst Center for the Arts. Through consulting projects, hackathons, startup accelerators, and applied research, students are finding solutions to real business challenges at the intersection of sports, media, technology, entrepreneurship, and analytics.
Donor support is also expanding opportunities beyond the classroom by attracting industry experts, creating internships, and strengthening partnerships with organizations ranging from IBM to prominent sports and entertainment companies. These experiences help prepare students for leadership roles in one of the world’s fastest-growing sectors.
Bergmark’s investment is transforming an ambitious vision into reality while inspiring continued support for the program’s future growth and success.
To support interdisciplinary academic programs for the next generation of business leaders, contact Duante Stanton, senior director of Development, Scheller College, at dstanton30@gatech.edu.
Transforming Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field
Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field will undergo its most extensive renovation in more than two decades following the conclusion of the 2026 season. The $70 million project, which will be completed ahead of the 2027 season and is the stadium’s first major renovation since 2003, includes the addition of 12,500 chairback seats, replacing current bleacher seating in a significant portion of the stadium; new handrails and wide aisles in designated sections; and a new, state-of-the-art videoboard and sound system. The stadium’s premium areas also will be renovated, including remodeled suites; construction of a new Founders Club on the west side of the stadium; and an overhaul of East Club seating and indoor spaces, including the addition of a new VIP Members Club.
The upcoming stadium renovation is part of Full Steam Ahead, a $500 million initiative designed to position Georgia Tech Athletics for sustained success by providing the resources needed to compete at the highest levels of NCAA Division I athletics.
To support the stadium renovation, contact Robby Poteat, executive associate athletics director for Development, at rpoteat@athletics.gatech.edu.
Charles R. Brown and Tech’s Legacy of Urban Landscape-Shaping Career Education
Charles R. Brown, BC 1962, led some of Atlanta’s most significant real estate developments, including Atlantic Station and Technology Park.
As a Tech undergraduate, he discovered a passion for commercial real estate and development, as well as for the Institute, where he learned the principles of architecture and construction. As an alumnus and advisory board member, he helped shape Tech’s Master of Real Estate Development degree program. Brown died June 1 at the age of 87.
Brown shared the same academic lineage as some of the country’s most influential architects, urban planners, and construction leaders, including Tech alumni John Portman, Ryan Gravel, and John Caddell.
Georgia Tech continues to be at the forefront of urban landscape-shaping careers with the recent launch of the Tony Kepano Joint Center for Real Estate. The center seeks to advance interdisciplinary learning, research, and industry engagement by building on the strengths of the Scheller College of Business and the College of Design’s School of Building Construction across finance, construction, city planning, engineering, and emerging technologies.
To make a gift to the Tony Kepano Joint Center for Real Estate, contact Duante Stanton, senior director of Development, Scheller College of Business, at dstanton30@gatech.edu, or Kelly Smith, director of Development, College of Design, at kelly.smith@design.gatech.edu.