Ten years ago, Ernest “Ernie” Scheller Jr., IM 1952, made an extraordinary commitment to advance the College of Management and to secure the naming rights for what we now know as the Ernest Scheller Jr. College of Business. His motivation: Scheller wanted Georgia Tech and the College to be the best and to play his part in providing resources to elevate the Institute’s quality, reputation, and competitive advantage. “Roberta and I have had the time of our lives since the naming of the Scheller College,” said Scheller. “It has been a deeply rewarding and joyful experience for us. We only wish we had done it sooner.”
This year, the Schellers have once again made a crucial commitment to the Institute to support Technology Square, Phase III. Tech Square III is envisioned as a two-tower structure with a shared elevator and a street-level, four-story feature geared toward mixed-use retail and offices. One of the two adjoining towers will be named the Scheller Tower and is expected to house the Scheller College of Business graduate and executive programs. The other tower will house the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISyE).
“Roberta and I were so inspired by Bud Peterson’s vision for Technology Square, Phase III that we wanted to help ensure its success,” said Scheller. “We are excited about the impact these new facilities will have on the students, faculty, programs, and reputation of the Scheller College and the Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering.”
"This has been a deeply rewarding and joyful experience for us. We only wish we had done it sooner."
—Ernest “Ernie” Scheller Jr., IM 1952, HON Ph.D. 2013
Georgia Tech President Emeritus G.P. “Bud” Peterson was instrumental in articulating the need for a third phase of Tech Square. Dedicated towers for both the Scheller College and the Stewart School will eliminate current space constraints, allow both to continue growing, help the Stewart School retain its Number 1 ranking, and fuel the Scheller College’s continued rise among the nation’s best business schools. Students, faculty, staff, and those who collaborate with them will be the beneficiaries of this additional capacity.
Technology (Tech) Square was initiated in 2003, encouraging increased collaboration between the Institute and the business community. At more than 1.4 million square feet of office, research, retail, hotel, and residential space, Tech Square currently houses the Technology Square Research Building, the Georgia Tech Hotel, the Biltmore, the Global Learning Center, and the Scheller College of Business, among other entities. Corporations such as AT&T, Delta Air Lines, Home Depot, NCR, ThyssenKrupp Elevator, UCB, and Anthem have a presence at Tech Square, primarily in the form of corporate headquarters and innovation centers that provide invaluable internships and permanent employment opportunities and entrepreneurial education experiences for Tech students. Together, more than 15,000 people are employed at more than 100 companies located in this innovation and economic development hub.
Construction is now complete on the Coda Building, a 750,000-square-foot, mixed-use project that comprises Phase II of Tech Square. Georgia Tech will be the anchor tenant in this property, utilizing nearly half of the available 620,000 square feet of office space for interdisciplinary research, commercialization, and sustainability purposes.
Significant private philanthropy is crucial to bring these types of projects to fruition. “We hope others will be equally inspired to join us in helping realize Bud’s vision for Tech Square III,” Scheller said. “And it would be a thrill to witness the next wave of Tech’s school and college naming donors emerge during our lifetimes,” he added.
To inquire about making a gift in support of Phase III of Technology Square, contact Vice President for Development Barrett H. Carson at barrett.carson@dev.gatech.edu.