Last Tuesday, President G. P. “Bud” Peterson delivered his annual Institute address to a standing-room-only crowd at the newly opened G. Wayne Clough Undergraduate Learning Commons and remote audiences at Georgia Tech-Savannah and GT Lorraine via webcast.  

“There are hundreds of things that Georgia Tech people are doing day in and day out that contribute to our global presence,” Peterson said as he provided an overview of what the Georgia Tech community has accomplished a year after launching its 25-year strategic plan. “We are a diverse academic community involved in hundreds of programs of study and research, but we are one Georgia Tech.”

As part of strategic goal number 1 — to be among the most highly respected, technology-focused learning institutions in the world — Peterson discussed ways Georgia Tech people are serving in leadership roles and conducting breakthrough research. In his closing segment that focused on “What does Georgia Tech think?,” Peterson highlighted a sampling of faculty members, students and alumni who are gaining increasing visibility and making a national and global impact.

During the address, the president also touched on challenges the Institute will face in the years to come, including limited resources.

“It would be easy to be discouraged about resources, but let’s try to put it in perspective,” he said. “While we’re in the midst of a recession, today we are gathered together in a new $90 million facility for undergraduate students. We have numerous buildings and improvements around campus, thanks to the investment of our alumni, other partners and the state.”

Peterson also mentioned that in light of limited resources, Tech has been able to hire new faculty members to ensure the quality of academic and research programs and accommodate enrollment growth.  

“As we continue to work to address retention and compression issues, I recognize that we have not been able to give merit raises for several years, but through careful management and by working together, we have been able to preserve the quality of our academic programs and ensure that we are able to provide an educational experience consistent with the very best institutions in the country,” he added.

To view the address in its entirety, as well as answers to questions posed to Peterson following the address, click here.