A historic $100 million bequest from the late Georgia Tech alumnus John W. Durstine will forever transform the Institute’s George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering. The landmark gift — the largest single gift in Tech’s history — will establish endowed chairs, professorships, and faculty awards, ensuring that the Institute continues to recruit, develop, and retain world-class faculty for generations to come. 

“John Durstine’s historic generosity is deeply inspiring to all of us working to carry out the Institute’s mission,” said Ángel Cabrera, president of Georgia Tech. “John could have left his estate to many good causes, and he chose to invest in Georgia Tech’s faculty because he knew firsthand the transformative impact that our outstanding faculty have in the lives and careers of our students. This gift will have an enduring impact and will ensure that Georgia Tech faculty have the resources to push the boundaries of mechanical engineering, inspire our students, and help improve the human condition. His legacy will live on in every discovery, every innovation, and every student who learns from the faculty his gift supports.”

The Woodruff School offers one of the nation’s largest and most influential mechanical and nuclear engineering programs, with more than 110 faculty and 3,000 students. Faculty lead groundbreaking work in advanced manufacturing, bioengineering, robotics, nuclear technology, and artificial intelligence in engineering design. Durstine’s gift will allow Georgia Tech to attract both early-career rising stars and internationally recognized pioneers of academia, keeping the School at the forefront of innovation. 

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