Tech Topics - Fall 2007 - (Page 13)

AlumniHouse Homecoming Promises Goldstinger Touch G eorgia Tech goes to war against Army during a Homecoming weekend Oct. 18-20 that features stimulating seminars, class reunions and an action-packed Goldstinger Buzz Bash with a James Bond theme. The Ramblin’ Wreck Parade observes its 75th anniversary. You can get a jump on the weekend at a wine-tasting reception that compares old and new world offers, followed by a day of informative seminars, campus tours and reunions beginning at 7:30 a.m. Friday. The Class of 1957 will observe its golden anniversary, the class of 1967 its 40th and the class of 1982 its 25th reunion. The Goldstinger Buzz Bash for all other classes begins at 7:30 p.m. Get an early start Saturday and catch the Ramblin’ Wreck Parade, the 75th year of imaginative contraptions and student ingenuity, have a hearty meal at the Homecoming tailgate party that starts two and a half hours before kickoff and enjoy exciting Yellow Jackets football. An Old Gold Reunion for alumni who have observed their 50th anniverevents begin Thursday with a formal reception featuring season four “Apprentice” winner Randal Pinkett. On Friday, Gavin Samms, Desi Bellamy and Ralph Malone are speakers during a workshop and a tailgate party that starts four hours before the game Saturday. Visit www.gtblackalumni.org. Military Affinity Group holds a reception with Tech ROTC students Thursday, an event on Friday and a joint tailgate with Army Saturday. The Tuskegee Airmen will be in attendance. Visit www.gtmag.org. Hispanic Alumni Network celebrates Homecoming with Tech Hispanic/Latino organizations on Friday evening. E-mail Diana_OrregoMoore@HomeDepot.com. Health Professionals Affinity Group celebrates its first event on Friday at a reception bringing together alumni who are in health care and Tech premed students. Contact Jennifer Kimble at jennifer.kimble@ carnegie.gatech.edu. International Affairs alumni and students will hold an event at the Habersham Building. Contact Vince Pedicino at vince@gatech.edu. Computing Alumni Organization hosts a Homecoming warm-up from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday in the atrium of the Klaus Advanced Computing Building. For information contact Bobby Krupczak at rdk@krupczak.org. Co-op Alumni Group, a proposed affinity group, celebrates Homecoming with co-op students on Friday at the co-op building and at Buzz Bash. Contact Harold Simmons at harold.simmons@dopp.gatech.edu. Lacrosse plays a game on Sunday, Oct. 21. A tailgate event is planned for the alumni, students and family prior to the game. For information contact Bob Schack at bschack@teaktechnologies.com Space Exploration, a proposed affinity group, will have a reception on Friday at the School of Aerospace Engineering. E-mail kathryn.albright@aerospace. gatech.edu. For more information, log on to www.gtalumni.org/homecoming. Guests always get a lot of bangs for their bucks at Buzz Bash, which last year included an illuminating fire-eating performance. saries, will be held after the game. Other organizations with Homecoming activities include: Band Alumni kick off the troupe’s 100th anniversary with a reception Friday evening. The band alumni will have a combined gameday performance with the Georgia Tech band on Saturday. For information e-mail bhampton.cs96@ gtalumni.org. Black Alumni Organization On the Road Again Alumni come to aid of Wreck T he Ramblin’ Wreck is well on the road to recovery thanks in large part to alumni who generously donated money to the Georgia Tech Foundation after news broke that the 1930 Ford Model A sports coupe operated by the Reck Club had been damaged. The Ramblin’ Wreck, which has served as an official Georgia Tech mascot since 1961, was damaged while being transported to an offcampus event in June. A Tech student was at the wheel of a Ford Expedition owned by the Alumni Association, which has over the years allowed the club to use the vehicle as well as its covered trailer. The Wreck was tied down inside the trailer. The SUV and trailer landed in a ditch. The straps holding the Wreck in place broke and the Model A fell onto its left side. The roof and fenders also were damaged. Donations sent to the Foundation amounted to about $15,000 and the Ramblin’ Reck Club reportedly raised another $5,000 from current and former members. The donations were enough to cover the repair costs as well as the vehicle’s maintenance fees. The Ramblin’ Wreck is expected to be driven onto the football field at the home opener Sept. 8 against Samford. The Alumni Association’s insurance payoff covered replacement of the Expedition. The amount received, however, was not enough to cover replacement of the trailer. A new one could be purchased next spring. Back to the Front Lines Physician John Burson volunteers for another tour of duty in Iraq O n July 28, two days shy of his 73rd birthday, John Burson reported to Fort Benning, Ga., for a two-week refresher course before he shipped out to Iraq in mid-August to join the 31st Combat Support Hospital. In the fall of 2005, the Army called for medical reservists to temporarily relieve active duty doctors, and the retired Army Reserve lieutenant colonel volunteered. He explained at the time why he volunteered. “I have never seen war firsthand. I missed World War II and Korea and my unit was never called up for Vietnam, so I always felt like I missed something.” During that tour, Burson cared for wounded soldiers and civilians at a combat support hospital near Baghdad that once served as Saddam Hussein’s private clinic. “I got an e-mail several months ago asking me to sign on for another hitch,” Burson said. “I felt I had to go.” Burson, ChE 55, MS Met 63, PhD ChE 64, is a practicing ear, nose and throat physician in Villa Rica, Ga., where he founded Chattahoochee Healthcare. Readers of the Alumni Association’s e-newsletter BUZZwords commended Burson’s service This photo was taken in 2005, the first time Dr. John Burson volunteered to serve as a combat physician. in e-mails responding to an article that appeared in the Aug. 1 edition. “I think that John Burson is one heckuva doctor to go back into active duty service,” said Bobby Jones, who works at the Georgia Tech Research Institute. “Godspeed to him and keep him safe.” Linda Tew, of Carrollton, Ga., wrote, “John Burson is one of the most honorable men I have ever known. I will pray for him to have a safe trip and for his dear wife, Barbara, to have extra strength while he is gone.” GT TECHTOPICS | FALL 2007 13 http://www.gtblackalumni.org http://www.gtblackalumni.org http://www.gtmag.org http://www.gtalumni.org/homecoming

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Tech Topics - Fall 2007

Contents Mail Call Alumni House Historic Renovation 007 Buzz Bash Dazzling Daylilies Living History Cover Story: Key to the City The Hill Tapping Technology Robotics Rivalry No Easy Ride Giving Back Balancing Act Student Life Burdell & Friends Epic Story of Heroism Yellow Jackets Very Good Team Passport to Retirement Real World

Tech Topics - Fall 2007

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