The Endowment Fund for Excellence in Economics (EEE) is a new initiative by the Board of Advisors for the School of Economics to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first undergraduate degrees awarded by the School. Philip B. Cheaney, Phillip B. Jones, and William P. Thompson Jr. made history by earning the first economics degrees at Georgia Tech in 1971.   

"Many things have changed for sure over the last 50 years at Tech, but after having had the good fortune of spending some time with our alumni, I realize one thing remains the same: the camaraderie among our alumni and their love of Georgia Tech," said School Chair Laura Taylor at the 2021 Distinguished Alumni Awards, where Cheaney, Jones, and Thompson were recognized.   

Now, the School's Board of Advisors is commemorating the past by looking toward the future. The Board established the EEE with a $50,000 endowment and an additional $50,000 grant for one-to-one donation matches until the amount it met. Reaching that match will bring the endowment total to $150,000! To participate in this matching opportunity, go to Georgia Tech’s online donation form and then choose "other designation" and type "Endowment Fund for Excellence in Economics" in the space provided.

The Endowment funds will support students, faculty, program enrichment, facilities and equipment, and other strategic priorities in the School of Economics. Past endowments directly helped deserving students by funding scholarships, research opportunities, and networking events such as meet-and-greets and job fairs with alumni and employers.    

"I am thrilled that there is a matching opportunity to amplify the impact of gifts to the Excellence fund and commemorate the 50th anniversary in a meaningful way," says Board Chair Wendy H. McLeod, INTA 1994, M.S. ECON 1996. "The tools and critical thinking skills I learned as a Georgia Tech Econ student continue to serve me on a daily basis. The new Excellence fund will ensure that Econ students and faculty have the resources they need going forward."   

"We're proud to support the students and faculty that make our program so special, now and in the future," says Taylor. "Our priority is making sure our students have the tools and inspiration they need to learn, grow, experiment, and innovate, and this endowment will help us continue to reach that goal."  

Like every school in the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts, the School of Economics plays an integral role in shaping the students at Georgia Tech by providing a broader, human-focused perspective to their studies with a spotlight on real-world policy applications.  

Students and faculty are researching topics as varied as the scope of the economic hardship triggered by the pandemic, the effects of air pollution on labor force participation in India, the economic benefits of bicycling in Georgia, and the influence of students' peer groups on their cognitive development. Your donations help support this work, and giving now will double your impact until the $50,000 match is met.   

Give today to support our students and the rich legacy of the School of Economics. To begin, navigate to the online donation form and enter the amount you wish to give. Then, choose "other designation" and type "Endowment Fund for Excellence in Economics" in the field below.   

Your generosity helps us Create the Next at Georgia Tech and continue our mission to develop leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition. Thank you for your support!   

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