Tech Topics - Winter 2007 - (Page 25) GivingBack 50th Reunion Tops $20 million Classes celebrate with record gifts of $33.6 million T he Class of 1957, observing its 50th anniversary during Homecoming, raised a whopping $20 million as a reunion gift to Georgia Tech, leading classes observing milestone reunions to raise a record-shattering total of more than $33.6 million. The Class of 1967, observing its 40th anniversary, raised $10.5 million in reunion giving, and the Class of 1982, celebrating its 25th anniversary, raised more than $3.1 million. The $33.6 million given by three reunion classes for 2007 will support a variety of programs including student scholarships, facilities, environmental sustainability and campus beautification. “We have always been able to count on our loyal alumni to provide us with significant support through the reunion giving program,” said President Wayne Clough. “It is especially gratifying this year to see the extraordinary levels of reunion class giving that have never been seen before. The devotion and generosity of our alumni never cease to amaze me, and I want them to know how much the entire Tech community appreciates their support.” President Wayne Clough, center, holds the record-busting Class of 1957 check in the amount of an astounding $20 million. Beside Clough and backed by the classmates who worked on the committee are reunion co-chairs, left to right, Bill Collins, Wade Mitchell and Allen Ecker. Class of 1957 The reunion fund committee cochairs for the class were William R. “Bill” Collins Jr., ME 57, MS IM 63; H. Allen Ecker, EE 57, MS EE 58; and Wade T. Mitchell, Text 57. The eye-popping total of more than $20 million raised by the class is the largest single class total in reunion giving history. The class easily surpassed its overall goal of $10 million as well as its class project goal of $1 million, with a total of $1.57 million. In an effort to help the Institute make significant gains in scholarship support and campus sustainability efforts, the Class of 1957 adopted four class projects: President’s Scholarships, need-based scholarships, international study abroad scholarships and Phase I of the Eco-Commons, both a campus beautification project and a demonstration of Tech’s commitment to environmental sustainability. (For detailed information on the Eco-Commons, go to www.space. gatech.edu/CPSM_Folders/ Fortieth reunion committee chair Russ Chandler presents a $10.5 million check to President Clough. They are pictured with the Class of 1967 committee members, left to right, Jerry D. Warshaw, William L. Thacker Jr., James W. Cofer Jr., Gary Butler and Dwight R. Sedgwick. The Class of 1967 set a new giving record for classes celebrating their 40th reunion. The overall class total of nearly $10.5 million will support substantial improvements planned for the L.W. “Chip” Robert Alumni/ Faculty House on North Avenue. Plans call for a major renovation and significant expansion of the alumni facility, which was built in 1911 to serve as a YMCA. The Alumni House is in urgent need of updating and expansion in order to serve Tech’s rapidly growing alumni base. In addition to its overall goal, the Class of 1967 also raised $125,000 for the class project, the naming of a space within the new Alumni Center in honor of the class. The space to be named will be determined at a later date. Class of 1982 Roger B. Cunningham, IE 82, and Thomas N. Herrington Jr., IM 82, served as reunion fund committee chairs. The Class of 1982 chose to support highly qualified Tech students who need financial assistance to fund their college education. Such support has become more critical as college costs have increased nationwide in recent years. The Class of 1982 endowed a fund through its class project that will support need-based scholarships for Tech students. Among these programs is the new Georgia Tech Promise scholarship, available to qualified Georgia residents with family incomes of $30,000 or less. In true Tech fashion, the class exceeded its overall goal of $2.75 million by raising an impressive $3.1 million. GT 25 Class of 1982 reunion committee members presenting a check to Clough for more than $3.1 million are, left to right, Robert F. Fowler III, Tommy Herrington and Roger Cunningham. masterplan/Eco-Commons.pdf.) Collins himself made a commitment of $9.5 million, which constituted nearly half of the class total. The precise designation of Collins’ gift, made primarily through an $8 million IRA assignment, will be determined at a later date. Class of 1967 A. Russell Chandler III, IE 67, served as reunion fund chair. TECHTOPICS | WINTER 2007 http://www.space.gatech.edu/CPSM_Folders/ http://www.space.gatech.edu/CPSM_Folders/
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