Sherman Lofton Jr. has been a Yellow Jacket for more than 40 years, as a student, alumnus, and employee, currently serving as the senior director of cybersecurity operations. He arrived on campus in 1984 and earned a bachelor’s degree in management in 1990, and he never imagined that decades later he’d be graduating with a master’s degree from Tech on the same day as his daughter.  

Sherman hadn’t considered that any of his four daughters would follow in his footsteps at Tech, but when the youngest, Shaina, expressed interest in architecture, he was elated to learn that she planned on applying to his alma mater. The day she received her acceptance letter is one that Sherman ranks among his favorite Tech-related memories. Now, the pair will share another unforgettable memory at Commencement as Shaina — who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 2024 — earns her master’s degree in architecture, and Sherman graduates with his MBA.  

One factor that brought Shaina back to Tech for graduate school was the chance to share a campus with her father. Sherman knew he’d have to take on extra hours to make sure they graduated at the same time. As the day nears, he sees the hard work paying off.  

“It was hard, but I always knew it was going to be worth it to share this moment of becoming a Double Jacket with Shaina,” Sherman said. “My heart is so full. I’m just so proud of her and everything she has accomplished, and to be able to share this spotlight with her — I couldn't have written that script any better.”  

Shaina calls her family’s emphasis on education a blessing and says their support and stories of the life lessons learned at Tech led her here.  

“I knew how great a school Georgia Tech was through my dad, my mom, and my aunt. They all wore Georgia Tech with pride, and going to Tech games and meeting their friends was such a huge part of my childhood. My sisters and I are all very academically motivated, and I wanted to go to an institution that was innovative and world-renowned because I felt like I was going to finally be challenged,” she said.  

Growing up, Shaina recalls her dad helping her with her math homework and always being there when she needed help with an essay. During graduate school, the two supported one another with texts before finals and presentations, and they frequently talked about their course load at family gatherings.  

Family Legacy 

Sherman was the first Lofton to enroll at Tech, but the family’s history with the Institute began when his father, Sherman Lofton Sr., applied for admission before the school’s desegregation in 1961.   

“I regret that my dad didn’t get the chance to attend Tech. He was the best mathematician I ever knew, but he knew that Shaina was here and that I was starting my program, and he was excited. I wish he, as well as my stepfather, were here to see us, but this day means so much for our family,” Sherman said. “I got to Tech when I was 18 and could never have anticipated that it would be such an integral part of my life, and to think that gets passed down to another generation brings me so much joy.” 

The death of her grandfathers is something that Shaina carried with her throughout her educational journey.  

“My dad lost two of his father figures, and I lost two grandpas, and that hit our family hard, but I think it really motivated us to get through graduate school and finish together and do this not only for us and each other, but for our family too,” she said.  

After Commencement, Shaina will begin working with HDR, an architecture firm in Midtown, where she’ll work on the design of hospitals, clinics, and laboratories. While her time as a student at Tech is ending, Shaina knows that she’ll share the same lifelong love for the Institute that her father has shared with her.  

“I grew up with my ‘aunts’ and ‘uncles’ that my parents went to school with, and my favorite moments at Tech were realizing that I was meeting the people who will become those same figures in my kids' lives in the future. It’s amazing to know that this cycle that started with my parents will continue,” she said.  

The Loftons are happy to celebrate graduation season, but Shaina knows there is more excitement on the horizon.  

“Coming from a family that values education so much, and one that supports each other and encourages each other constantly, this is a moment that may feel like a finish line, but I know Loftons — we always keep running,” she said. “And I can’t wait for the great things to come after this.”