Tech Topics - Spring 2009 - (Page 17) THE HILL TECH NOTES ANNIVERSARY Architecture Celebrating Centennial in Style The College of Architecture will celebrate its centennial with a “Function Forming Fashion” gala April 25. The event will celebrate the talents of alumni and faculty and will include an original installation environment by artist and visiting assistant professor Tristan Al-Haddad, Arch 01, whose work is pictured at left, and an outrageous costume contest to encourage guests to don creative architectural black tie attire. The food will be catered by Jerry Dilts, Arch 56. “This is our time to flaunt the great pride we have in our alumni and in our history,” said Dean Alan Balfour. “And in the spirit of awe-inspiring design, we also want to create an experience that will properly launch the next century of architectural education at Georgia Tech.” Tickets are $125 and available at coa.gatech.edu/centennial/. GTRI Connecting With People From Its Past Seventy-five years ago the state of Georgia established the Engineering Experiment Station at Tech with just a handful of researchers and a $12,000 budget. Now known as the Georgia Tech Research Institute, the organization has nearly 1,300 employees and annual research contracts topping $180 million. Over the years, thousands of people have contributed to GTRI’s impact and success. In total, EES/GTRI has conducted more than $2 billion in research supporting government and industry since its doors opened in 1934. As part of its 75th anniversary this year, GTRI is trying to reconnect with retirees, past employees, students, family, friends and others who played a role in its history. Throughout 2009, there will be special activities commemorating the people and innovations that have made the world a better and safer place. To receive information on anniversary events tailored to retirees and former co-op students, register online at gtri.gatech.edu/75th-anniv-signup. Connect with former colleagues and receive 75th anniversary updates through the GTRI Alumni Group on LinkedIn and the GTRI fan page on Facebook. For the past decade, Richard Guthman, IE 56, a member of the Alumni Association board of trustees, has sponsored a national keyboard competition in honor of his wife, Margaret, a pianist. “We expect the Guthman Musical Instrument Competition will deliver paradigms of expression and new modes of performance to both public and academic realms year after year,” said music department director Frank Clark. More details may be found at gtcmt.coa.gatech.edu. SCHOLARSHIPS Nearly 200 Students Benefit From Promise The Office of the President reported that 197 students were enrolled in the G. Wayne Clough Georgia Tech Promise Program during the fall semester. Initiated in 2007, the program helps students in good academic standing from families earning less than $33,300 annually complete their undergraduate education debt free. To find out more about the program, visit promise.gatech.edu. INNOVATION Guthman Competition Shifts Focus This year’s Guthman Competition will be composed of innovative musical instruments rather than piano performances. Entries from inventors and composers of all ages will be demonstrated Feb. 27 and 28 on campus. Judges for the competition, orchestrated by Tech’s music department, will look at the musicality, design and engineering of the instruments. Prizes will range from $5,000 for first to $2,000 for third. Fourth-, fifth- and sixthplace winners will receive a copy of the Rock Band video game. The judges are Eran Egozy, co-founder of the video game development company Harmonix Music Systems that produced Guitar Hero and Rock Band; digital music expert Eliot Van Buskirk, a writer for Wired magazine; and a faculty representative from the Georgia Tech Center for Music Technology. PARTNERSHIP Institute Ties Strengthened in Ireland The Institute, through Georgia Tech Ireland, signed an agreement in January with the Athlone Institute of Technology to explore collaborative research and educational opportunities and the possible creation of dual undergraduate and postgraduate programs. “Our common interest in wireless systems and nanomedicine sets the platform from which we will further develop this trans-Atlantic partnership,” said Ciaran O. Cathain, AIT president. “We look forward to working with Georgia Tech in delivering groundbreaking research and providing innovative academic programs. “At a time when hope is needed more than ever before, here is the germ of that promise,” Cathain said. For the full story, visit http://www.gatech.edu/newsroom/release.html?id=2493. AWARD WINNER Ivan Allen Prize Recipient Announced Helene D. Gayle, the president and CEO of CARE USA, is the 2009 recipient of the Ivan Allen Jr. Prize for Progress and Service. The award will be presented during the Ivan Allen College Founder’s Day luncheon March 12 at The Biltmore in Atlanta. Gayle joined CARE in 2006 after working at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention combating HIV/ AIDS and leading the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s HIV, tuberculosis and reproductive health program. More information about the Founder’s Day program may be obtained at the Ivan Allen College Web site, iac. gatech.edu. Witnessing History Students, faculty and staff crowded into the Student Center theater, hallways and gathering areas — anywhere there was a television or computer screen visible — to watch the inauguration of Barack Obama. Applause erupted throughout the building the moment Obama was sworn in as the 44th president of the United States. PHOTOS BY ERIC TURNER TechTopics | Spring 2009 17 http://gtri.gatech.edu/75th-anniv-signup http://coa.gatech.edu/centennial/ http://gtri.gatech.edu/75th-anniv-signup http://gtcmt.coa.gatech.edu http://www.promise.gatech.edu/ http://www.promise.gatech.edu/ http://www.gatech.edu/newsroom/release.html?id=2493 http://iac.gatech.edu http://www.gatech.edu/newsroom/release.html?id=2493 http://iac.gatech.edu
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