To the Georgia Tech Community:

Dr. G. P. "Bud" Peterson

It’s the end of the semester and the end of the calendar year, a natural point for us to pause and reflect on the year that was as well as look ahead to the coming one. For Val and me, 2009 was marked with change, moving east from Colorado to embrace this new opportunity. We have worked hard to learn the structure, listen to the people, and understand the culture of Georgia Tech. Earlier this fall, we began a campus discussion about what the technological research university of the 21st century should look like. Most importantly, we have met hundreds of people and made many new friends in the process.

Going forward, we can be sure that Georgia Tech will face its share of operational challenges, and some difficult choices still remain. Yet it is easy to remain optimistic when weighed against the passion and dedication of our remarkable students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Thank you for your good work during the past year; may you have a restful and safe holiday season.

Strategic Planning Update

On November 13, I was present as the co-chairs for each of our strategic planning themes delivered short presentations on their respective progress, and articulated the “big ideas” they would like to see the Institute embrace. I was particularly impressed with the degree of thought and engagement our faculty, staff, and students have brought to the process, and was excited by the breadth and scope of ideas put on the table for discussion. In the coming week, each of these groups will be providing draft reports for public review and comment. You will find them at www.gatech.edu/vision.

On the Road

I continue to travel the state, accepting speaking engagements with local Rotary Clubs and civic organizations to talk about Georgia Tech. In every case, I make an effort to quantify the impact the Institute has had on that particular region, be it economic development through a company incubated in ATDC or just the number of students – past and present – who claim Tech as their alma mater. The typical audience response is a combination of surprise and appreciation, and is a further indicator of our own responsibility to take the lead in communicating the value of our contributions for our fellow Georgians.

Management Accepts A Challenge

We are exceedingly grateful to our anonymous benefactor who recently committed $25 million to the College of Management, of which $20 million is a challenge grant for the purpose of growing the endowment in the College of Management. With external recognition for our programs on the rise, transformative gifts such as this one will be instrumental as we make strides in our international reputation as a preeminent business school for management and technology.

Legislative Priorities Identified

The 2010 Georgia General Assembly opens next month, and I look forward to working with our elected representatives and our own statewide network of constituents during the coming session. Among Georgia Tech’s priorities are requesting additional funding to accommodate our enrollment growth, and renewing the state provision that will allow the Institute to “carry forward” certain types of state funding from one year to the next, enabling better planning and resource allocation. And as recent reports demonstrate, investment in higher education is the lynchpin for prosperity, both for individuals and society.

Athletic Success

The year has been a good one for our student athletes. While our football team is enjoying some well-deserved national attention, some of our other sports are raising our profile in their respective arenas as well. In 2009, our men’s golf team and women’s softball team each claimed a conference championship, and our volleyball team made its first appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 2004. Academically, 175 athletes were named to the ACC Honor Roll, reserved for students holding a grade point average above 3.0 for a full academic year. Balancing the expectations of coaches and professors is a substantial commitment, and I am proud these young men and women are representing Georgia Tech on the intercollegiate stage.

Undergraduate Applications Surge

While the final deadline isn’t until January 15, the Office of Undergraduate Admission is seeing marked increases in applications in all major demographics when compared with the same time period last year. It is gratifying to see that demand for the kind of education Georgia Tech provides continues to grow and that so many are eager to accept the Tech challenge.

Ramblin’ On

Last weekend, nearly 1,500 students crossed the stage at our fall commencement. While a few will continue their academic careers, most will be entering a new phase of life, taking on new challenges and applying the hard-won knowledge and experience collected both in and out of our classrooms and labs. Each of you personifies our vision and mission. Congratulations on the successful completion of your degree and the best of luck in your future endeavors.