A monthly digital newsletter designed to help friends and supporters stay abreast of the positive developments about the Institute that they might have missed on more traditional media outlets.
A couple of weeks ago, I embarked on my fifth summer tour as president. Alongside Beth, faculty, and fellow Institute leaders, I had the wonderful opportunity to see firsthand the impact Georgia Tech has on communities and industries across the state and learn how we can do even more. Over the course of three days, we traveled 730 miles to attend 15 events in 10 towns — from the Fall Line to the North Georgia mountains, and from historic downtowns to mines, farms, and factories.
Back in 1960, Kenneth Grundborg earned his bachelor’s in civil engineering from Georgia Tech, but the Army called before he could walk at Commencement. Instead of donning a cap and gown, the ROTC cadet put on his uniform and was soon sent to Korea. Following his deployment, he came back to Tech and earned his master’s — but once again, the Army rang, and he was on his way to Vietnam by the time his fellow graduates were celebrating on stage at the Fox Theatre. He never got to walk — until now.
Georgia Tech has always attracted a certain kind of person — someone who isn’t satisfied with knowing how the world works but who wants to make it work better, too. Our faculty embody that drive and desire, and they’re role models for students who want to follow in their footsteps. Every time I visit a colleague’s lab, I leave inspired and optimistic about our future — and wishing more people knew about the impressive work they do every day. Here's a great example.
This year’s Class of 1934 Distinguished Professor Award — Georgia Tech’s highest faculty honor, which recognizes excellence in teaching, research, and service — goes to Mark Prausnitz, a pioneering figure in drug delivery who has done more to eliminate the fear of needles than anyone else I am aware of.
Earlier this month, we had the honor of welcoming José Andrés to campus to recognize him with this year’s Ivan Allen Jr. Prize for Social Courage. Some of you may be familiar with José, the Michelin-starred chef and successful restaurateur turned media celebrity. His accomplishments are even more impressive when you consider he is a self-made immigrant from Spain who came to this country as a young man in 1991 with a lot of talent and big dreams, but few resources. But that’s not why he received the Ivan Allen Jr. Prize.
