At the heart of this family connection is a beautiful academic journey shared between three generations of Yellow Jackets: ISyE Associate Professor, Gunter Sharp (IE ’65, IE PhD ’73), his son Alexander Sharp (B.S. in Applied Biology ‘89, and M.S. in Environmental Engineering ‘99), and his granddaughter, Melina Sharp (IE ‘25). 

Gunter, who has seen the evolution of engineering over the decades, retired in 2008 and is currently teaching part-time in the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISyE) while also expanding upon his family legacy.  

Melina, following in her father and grandfather’s footsteps, joined Georgia Tech with a mix of anticipation and pride.  

Initially unsure of her path, Melina switched to Industrial Engineering (IE), "I changed my major halfway through freshman year… just knowing my grandfather and my dad, and how smart both of them are, and how successful they've been -- that [IE] ended up being the best option and choice for me." 

Sharp Minds, Sharper Bonds 

The connection between Gunter and Melina is more than just blood, it’s a realm of their shared experiences, heartwarming memories, and mutual respect for industrial engineering. 

While Gunter imparted lessons from his extensive engineering background, Melina navigated the modern academic landscape, adapting to new technologies and methodologies.  

“Certainly, the technology has changed a lot, we didn't have computers when I was an undergraduate student” stated Gunter, “we used slide rules for most of our calculations, little trigonometric and logarithmic tables, and often drawings with pencil and paper.” 

Despite the generational gap, Gunter and Melina have found common ground in their passion for the Tech community. From football games to campus visits, they have numerous fond memories tied to Georgia Tech.  

Gunter remembers unexpected winter snowfalls, whereas Melina cherishes memories of visiting her grandfather in Metz, France – hearing stories about Tech traditions and events. 

“Fast-forward to the summer after my first year, I did the study abroad program at Georgia Tech Europe (GTE) and next thing you know, I’m getting restaurant recommendations from my grandfather and grandmother” said Melina Sharp. 

Family Ties and Tech Triumphs 

As Melina prepares for her graduation, there’s one remarkable chapter in her family legacy that’s truly unique: completely Capstone Design Expo and Senior Design with her grandfather by her side. 

Encouraged by the accomplishments of her family, she’s hoping to leave her mark on the institution that has been a significant part of her family’s history.  

“Just makes me proud of my family and where I come from and that I've had two great role models growing up who have introduced me to Tech and helped guide me along on the path that I'm on.” 

With two data analytics internships under her belt, Melina is looking forward to joining the world of construction management, with the software development company Kahua in a Data Scientist role.  

Between Gunter’s wisdom and Melina’s fresh perspectives, this rare duo is both nostalgic and forward-looking. Their shared journey at Tech is confirmation to the beauty of intergenerational learning and growth that’s possible within Industrial and Systems Engineering.  

The Sharp legacy at Georgia Tech is a powerful reminder that education is not just about acquiring knowledge but also about fostering community, nurturing dreams, and creating lasting generational impacts.