Georgia Tech Living History

If you'd like to hear the full story of how Jean McDowell Ray outsmarted the system and became the first woman to graduate Tech with a Chemistry degree, here she is to tell it in her own words. #womenshistorymonth #GTlivinghistory

Jean McDowell Ray came to Georgia Tech in 1960 as one of Tech’s first women to study chemical engineering. She couldn’t study chemistry as she’d hoped because w...omen were only allowed to choose majors that weren't available to them at other schools. After following the curriculum, she filed for a change of major to chemistry using her initials, D.J. McDowell, and it was approved. Having already taken the prerequisites, Jean’s major change request was granted, and she earned her degree in chemistry in 1965. The following year, all academic departments at Tech were opened to women. Jean McDowell went on to work for Boeing developing materials for airplanes. #WomensHistoryMonth See more

Here’s to the GT Yellow Jackets Women’s Basketball team who are competing today in the NCAA tournament! GO JACKETS!!

In honor of the men's basketball team playing in round one of the NCAA tournament this after noon we wanted to pull from the Georgia Tech Living History vault a...nd take a walk down memory lane. #FBF This will be our 17th appearance in the tournament. The first time was in 1960 (we made it to the Elite Eight and lost to Ohio State). The most recent was in 2010 (we lost in the 2nd round to Ohio State). In our 16 appearances so far, our record is 23 wins and 16 losses. We made it to the Final Four for the first time in 1990, losing to UNLV, and again in 2004. That year we beat Oklahoma State to advance to the Championship Game, where we lost to UCONN. Cheers to 2021! #GTlivinghistory #GoJackets #gtalumni Were you at any of these games?

Happy 100th Birthday to Professor C. Malcolm Gailey, who received multiple degrees from Tech in Architecture, taught at Tech, and went on to found the Building Construction degree. Here he explains how he became one of only two people to ever receive a degree from Tech in Architectural Engineering!

Mary Spio, MS ECE ‘99, grew up in Ghana and was 16 when her parents saved up enough money to send her to the United States. Before attending Tech, she worked in... electronics and communications for the Air Force. She earned her degree in electrical engineering from Syracuse University as the only female in her class. Following this, she came to Georgia Tech to study satellite communications. After a career of building her own satellite media company and consulting different companies like Boeing, Lucas Films, Universal Music, Miami Children's Hospital, and Microsoft Xbox, Spio created her own company CEEK VR. Ceek VR develops and distributes virtual reality and applies its engineering towards the medical, academic, and entertainment fields. Her virtual reality programs help doctors execute exams offsite, even to patients in secluded or far areas. Her immersive virtual reality content also is developing in academia to teach students CPR virtually. The world will have to wait and see the full extent of the benefits of this burgeoning technology and the great mind of Mary Spio. #blackhistorymonth #gtalumni #gtlivinghistory I want to play my part. If I can play a small part to changing my corner of the world, and I think if we all change our corner of the world, then when you do share your light, you live in a brighter world. - Mary Spio https://b.gatech.edu/3rwsEde

Ronald Yancey, EE ‘65, the first Black Tech graduate, had been rejected from Tech twice before his acceptance. After the second rejection that seemed to have no... basis, due to his high-test scores and GPA, Yancey and other Black applicants wrote a letter to the President of the Institute. While this courageous and unprecedented message did not result in immediate action, it gave notice and a voice to the students denied that year. Just like any boat in the water, there is a wake behind you that spreads much further than you imagine. If you are true to what you believe and are true to your ideals and you make sure you keep it straight; you won’t harm anyone behind you. - Ronald Yancey In 1962, he applied again and was accepted. Before attending Tech, Yancey participated in legal and nonviolent protests against segregation in Atlanta, sitting at lunch counters and walking up picket fences. All though the threat against his and other protester’s life was imminent, he remained true to his cause while still remaining focused on his schoolwork and dream of becoming an Electrical Engineer. In 1965 Yancey made Georgia Tech history as he donned his regalia and walked across the stage as the only Black man among 300 graduates and the first to receive a degree from Georgia Tech. One week after graduating from Tech, Yancey moved to the Washington, D.C. area. He went on to have a successful career with the Department of Defense and has served on the Georgia Tech Alumni Association Board of Trustees. In 2019 a statue of him was placed on campus at the same time as the Tech Pioneers. #blackhistorymonth #gtalumni Read more of Yancey's story here: http://b.gatech.edu/3trcsf9

To celebrate Black History month we are excited to partner with the Georgia Tech Black Alumni Organization to share the stories of incredible Black Alumni in Te...ch history with you throughout the month. Follow GTBAO to read their daily features. To kick things off we want to honor the bravery, struggle and great achievements of the Tech Pioneers, Ralph A. Long Jr., Lawrence M. Williams, and Ford C. Greene, Tech’s first African American students that enrolled in 1961. After attending Georgia Tech, Long completed his bachelor’s degree at Clark College (now Clark Atlanta University) in mathematics and physics, and would go on to become the first African American systems engineer for the Large Systems Group in the southeastern U.S. at IBM Atlanta. Williams was drafted into the Air Force and served honorably in the Vietnam War, earning several distinctions and honors. Greene studied chemical engineering at Georgia Tech. He completed his bachelor’s degree in mathematics and computer science at Morgan State University and led a successful career in telecommunications and information technology systems. A statue commemorating their great contribution to Tech was placed on campus in 2019. Read more about their story here. https://b.gatech.edu/2NWaNhq

It is with a heavy heart that we share news of the passing of one of Living History's dearest supporters and a true Georgia Tech legend. Billiee Pendleton-Parker's impact on the Tech community is immeasurable and her memory will always be cherished by the multitude of Yellow Jackets whom she inspired.

Here’s to the last home game of the season!

Meet Tech’s Oldest Living Alumnus Dr. Bill Schotanus, ME 1940 Introducing Georgia Tech’s oldest alumnus, Dr. William Schotanus, ME 1940. Known to one and all, as Bill, he was very involved during his four years at Tech and for many years afteras a key member of the annual G.T. Class of 1940 Endowment for Outstanding Faculty Awards.... Among other activities and leadership roles, Bill was an Army Battalion Commander in the ROTC, the Captain of Tech’s National Collegiate Bowling Team, lettered in Track and Field, Member of Pi Kappa Phi, and several honorary societies. Currently residing in Richmond, VA, Dr. Bill is a WWII veteran, who was the first minister of The American International Church in London. He holds a Doctor of Divinity degree from King College in Tennessee, studied at Columbia Seminary, and served as a Presbyterian minister for most of his working life. Dr. Schotanus was born Aug 30, 1918.

In remembrance of the lives lost on December 7, 1941 during the bombing of Pearl Harbor, here is a photograph of Tech Tower then.

Our Warm Wishes To You As we wrap up a challenging year, we want to extend our warm wishes to you our dear readers for sharing Georgia Tech History with us. May the Holidays be pleasant, and the New Year bring good health. Sara, Marilyn, Teresa, & Chloe

Flashback Photos Photos that do not need an explanation. Each one is a story and you either know it or you don’t. And, even if you don’t, they are still fun to look at.

Tech vs. DukeOne More Time The Jackets have played Duke every year since 1933. Tech won the first go-round 6-0 and it was considered an upset because Duke had a strong team, and it was their only loss of that season. Overall, Tech leads in winsGo Jackets one more time and Win It!

Happy Thanksgiving from the Living History team! Stay safe and enjoy the holidays!