Tech Topics - Summer 2008 - (Page 7) MailCall Good for Touchdowns Three of the four letters in the spring TECH TOPICS relate to the football program and I agree with all. Like Roger Sundy, I am very pleased that Paul Johnson is our new coach. He has strong credentials and I wish the very best for him. Bob Divine chastises the administration for continuing to accept invitations to second-class — or lower — bowls when we have a third-class team. He is right on; losses in such bowls do degrade Tech’s reputation. Ed Rainey yearns for a return to the traditional gold and white uniforms. So do I and legions of other alumni. I am not presumptuous in saying that Bobby Dodd would wish likewise. I well remember his fine teams of the ’50s. During an interview with Ed Danforth, head sportswriter of The Atlanta Journal, he said this: “Our uniforms alone are good for two touchdowns.” Well spoken. HAL S. BRANCH, EE 51 Goodlettsville, Tenn. WE WELCOME YOUR LETTERS TECH TOPICS and the ALUMNI MAGAZINE welcome letters to the editor. Please include your full name, address and telephone number. Letters may be edited for clarity, space and content. Georgia Tech Alumni Publications 190 North Ave., Atlanta, GA 30313 E-mail: editor@alumni.gatech.edu Fax: (404) 385-4637 The ‘Right Stuff’ We Can Be Proud I read in BUZZwords that Georgia Tech alumna Evelynn Hammonds has been named dean of Harvard College and will be the first female and the first African-American to serve as dean of the undergraduate college. (See page 30.) I am delighted that she has been recognized for her competence in faculty development and diversity as well as professor of the history of science and of African and AfricanAmerican studies. As Tech alumni, we can be proud that one of our own has been recognized for her distinguished service. JACK SCARBOROUGH, EE 50 Chapel Hill, N.C. I Send address changes to: bioupdate@alumni.gatech.edu Ramblin’ Wrecks From Georgia Tech A Centennial History of the Georgia Tech Alumni Association This fascinating book and DVD set marks the 100year anniversary of your Georgia Tech Alumni Association and will make the perfect gift for any Georgia Tech graduate. The hardback book includes a foreword penned by Wayne Clough, president of the Georgia Institute of Technology, as well as a Photomosaic of the Ramblin' Wreck composed of 2,600 images of alumni, friends, leaders and legends of Ramblin' Wreck history. A 24-minute DVD, produced by our award-winning Living History Department, provides historic pictures, movie and news clips and colorful narration that complete the history of the Georgia Tech Alumni Association. http://gtalumni.org/site/Page/Shop Order the centennial history through the Alumni Association for $39.95, plus shipping and handling. For more information, call 1-800-GT-ALUMS. “Tech’s celebration of the Association’s centennial anniversary is a time for remembering the many wonderful highlights of the past and for using that past as a springboard to the incredible future opportunities that lie ahead.” — Georgia Tech President Wayne Clough ’ve been around many leaders during my career — men and women who led corporations, divisions, departments, governments, armies, navies, universities, associations, churches, schools, teams and, yes, even Boy Scout troops. Some of them were famous, some not. Some of them were good, some bad. A rare few of them were simply outstanding and those few, whether it was a large corporation or a small high school football team, had the “right stuff.” And having the “right stuff” is the key to great leadership. Wayne Clough has the “right stuff” and Georgia Tech has been the beneficiary of his great leadership for 14 years. What makes a great leader? In my mind, there are a number of components, including great vision and a stellar ability to communicate that vision and tremendous passion for the job and for the people doing the work. Great leaders look for others who have good judgment and strong motivation, then surround themselves with those people. Great leaders have boundless energy and drive to achieve the goals. Great leaders are positive and meet the challenges with enthusiasm. Great leaders take calculated risks and learn from their mistakes and their successes. Great leaders have great character, and that sustains them. Wayne Clough is a great leader. But he didn’t do it alone. Anne Clough has been beside him the whole way — supporting, counseling, challenging, loving and, of no small import, attending the infinite number of functions that command the presence of the campus CEO. So we say farewell to Wayne and Anne. Thank you both for an extraordinary era that has accomplished mighty things for Georgia Tech and set the stage solidly for the future. Our loss is the Smithsonian Institution’s gain and indeed that of the United States. Our warm and best wishes for a great future! JOSEPH P. IRWIN President Georgia Tech Alumni Association TECHTOPICS | SUMMER 2008 7 http://gtalumni.org/site/Page/Shop
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