Georgia Tech Alumni Association Photograph Collection
Collection
Identifier: VAM024
The photographs within this collection contain images depicting the history of the Georgia Tech Alumni Association, which began in 1898. The collection focuses mainly on alumni, previous football coaches, and the 1996 Olympics.
(four document case)
None.
All copyright restrictions under the laws of the United States Copyright must be obeyed. All photographs in this collection are subject to approval before publication may be permitted. Permission to publish materials from this collection must be obtained from the Head of Archives and Special Collections.
1.67 Linear Feet (four document cases)
This collection contains gelatin silver prints, color (chromogenic color) prints, and slides. Little deterioration has occurred.
The slides of this collection feature President G. Wayne Clough, GT commencement ceremonies (1998-2003), and events from the 1996 Atlanta Olympic games. Of special interest are slides from the 1996 Olympics/Paralympics events, which include a visit from President Bill Clinton, kayak/rowing competitions, and the olympic track and torch run.
The first recorded meeting of the association was held in 1896. Georgia Tech's first graduate, Henry L. Smith (ME '90), invited former classmates to join him at his home to discuss the idea of an alumni association. Together, they drafted the first set of by-laws in 1898. In 1906, a petition for a charter was produced, and it was granted on June 20, 1908. In 1919, reorganization occurred and new by-laws were drafted under the name of the Georgia Tech National Alumni Association, under the leadership of W. H. Glenn (1891).
In 1922, Albert H. Staton (ME '22) was hired as the first executive secretary. He also served as the editor of the Georgia Tech Magazine, which made its debut in 1923. Other former Tech students have also held the position of executive secretary: George C. Griffin (CE '22), Jack Thiesen (EE '10), Howard Ector (IM '40), Roane Beard (IM '49), Robert Rice (IM '49), John B. Carter, Jr. (IE '69), and Joseph P. Irwin (IM '80).
Certain programs have developed out of the Alumni Association. While Griffin was secretary, he created a placement service in 1923, which later transferred to the Tech's administration. In 1947, the Alumni Association began the annual fund raising campaign known as the Roll Call.
Additional materials in this collection are from G. Wayne Clough and the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. Clough (1941– ) served as the President of Georgia Tech from 1994 to 2008. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 1959 and a master’s degree in the same field in 1965, making him the first alumnus to serve as president of the Institute. In 1969, he earned a Ph.D. in civil engineering from the University of California, Berkeley.
The 1996 Atlanta Olympic and Paralympic Games took place from July 19 to August 26, 1996. Georgia Tech hosted competitions for Olympic and Paralympic games by utilizing multiple GT campus facilities and serving as the site of the Olympic Village.
Accessions #1986.0403, 1987.1202, 2001.152, 2008.052, and 2002.018 (old numbers: 86-04-03, 87-12-02, 2001.152, and 2002.18).
(four document case)
Jody Lloyd Thompson processed these papers in 2002.
Photographic slides were added to the collection in 2025 and processed by Sara Matthews.
Part of the Archives and Special Collections, Library, Georgia Institute of Technology Repository