Georgia Tech’s Honors Program has received a transformative $10 million commitment from philanthropist and venture capitalist John H. Martinson. In recognition of his generous investment, the program will now be known as the John H. Martinson Honors Program.

Martinson is a longtime advocate for excellence in higher education and has provided significant philanthropic support for honors programs at several leading institutions across the country. As a result of this commitment, Georgia Tech will expand and enhance its Honors Program to serve more students, enrich the undergraduate experience, and elevate the program’s national standing.

“We are deeply grateful to Mr. Martinson for his generosity and commitment to the next generation of leaders,” said Georgia Tech President Ángel Cabrera. “Through this extraordinary investment in the newly named John H. Martinson Honors Program, we will help more of our students reach their full potential and expand the high-impact opportunities available to them.”

Martinson is chairman of Martinson Ventures, a private technology investment firm. His personal connection to Georgia Tech runs deep — his father, Raymond Martinson, earned a mechanical engineering degree from Tech in 1941.

Thanks to this commitment, the Honors Program will increase its entering class size and enhance programming designed to help students deepen their academic experience and graduate with the Honors Program designation. The expanded program is scheduled to launch in fall 2026, with the goal of achieving national prominence among honors programs across peer institutions.

“We've built a strong foundation, but this donation is what will take it to the next level,” said Amy D’Unger, faculty director of the John H. Martinson Honors Program. “It has the power to be transformative, creating an experience that will enhance our ability to create the next generation of leaders.”

Alongside the naming, the Honors Program will shift from its former place within the Undergraduate Curriculum unit to become a standalone unit in the Office of Undergraduate Education and Student Success. This change reflects both the program’s expanded scope and its growing impact on Georgia Tech’s academic community.

“This commitment will empower the Honors Program to reach new levels of excellence, while remaining deeply rooted in the values that make Georgia Tech a top destination for high-achieving, purpose-driven students,” said Steven Girardot, vice provost for Undergraduate Education and Student Success. “We are incredibly grateful to Mr. Martinson for investing in our Honors Program and in the future of undergraduate education at Georgia Tech.”

Martinson said he was drawn to the Georgia Tech Honors Program because of its commitment to experiential learning and entrepreneurial emphasis. “Georgia Tech students are among the brightest and most innovative in the country,” he said. “I am vested in the success of the program to double its total number of students and engage faculty to achieve a top 10 honors ranking nationwide.”

The John H. Martinson Honors Program serves students across the Institute, providing interdisciplinary coursework, faculty mentorship, and community-based learning. As it grows in size and ambition, the program will continue to shape the next generation of scholars, leaders, and innovators — both at Georgia Tech and beyond.

Martinson’s commitment has propelled the continued momentum of Transforming Tomorrow: The Campaign for Georgia Tech and contributed to the Institute’s record-setting fundraising year in Fiscal Year 2025.