As legislators and lobbyists began their workdays at the State Capitol on Tuesday, a familiar buzz lingered through the marble halls.  The distinctive hum was from the gathering of over 50 Georgia Tech students and friends milling about the building for the 2011 GT Student Day at the Capitol.  

Organized by the Student Government Association in coordination with the Office of Government and Community Relations, Student Day provided an opportunity for the Tech community to thank state leaders for their commitment to higher education, learn more about the workings under the Gold Dome, and be honored by the General Assembly for their involvement.  This year’s event marked the second annual such gathering. 

Students and guests heard from Georgia Tech alumni legislators Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers, MGT ’91, and Senator Johnny Grant, IE ’72, as well as President Peterson as part of the event.  They were presented a resolution (HR12) authored by Rep. Buzz Brockway, MGT ’90, and Representative Mike Dudgeon, EE ’89, the two newest members of Tech’s legislative delegation. 

The students were also honored in the Senate chamber with a resolution (SR36) authored by Senators Rogers and Grant with Senator Hardie Davis, EE ’92.  Upon the presentation of the resolution on the floor of the Senate, the group received a round of applause from the senators and members of the Student Government Association’s Executive Board had the opportunity for a photo with Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle. 

In addition to hearing from speakers and being recognized by the General Assembly, Student Day participants also spent time talking with legislators and legislative staff in the Capitol sharing their appreciation for their work and broadening their own knowledge with a Capitol tour.  The day’s activities finished on a high note with a performance by the GT Glee Club, led by Ron Shultis, one of Tech’s nine legislative interns in the General Assembly. 

“It was exciting to have students in the Capitol with us sharing the Georgia Tech message and their love for the Institute with our legislative friends,” noted Dene Sheheane, Executive Director of Government and Community Relations.  “No one tells the Tech story like our students.”

In addition to students and legislators, several alumni legislative aides and lobbyists who work on Capitol Hill also joined the festivities.  Members of the Georgia Tech administration also attended, including Ms. Lynn Durham, Dr. Archie Ervin, Dr. Bill Schafer, and Dr. Wes Wynens.  

The 2011 Student Day was originally planned for the first week of the legislative session in January, however, the winter weather that closed Georgia Tech's campus postponed the event.

For more photos of GT Student Day at the State Capitol, visit http://gtgcr.smugmug.com/.