One of the most consequential, yet often not well understood, parts of Georgia Tech is the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI). Established back in 1934 as the Engineering Experiment Station with a state investment of $5,000 (about $110,000 today) and a handful of part-time researchers, GTRI has since grown into a research powerhouse that brings in more than $833 million in annual funding and has an outsized impact on our state, our nation, and the world.
In mid-December, while we were wrapping up the fall semester, the National Science Foundation quietly released its fiscal year 2021 Higher Education Research and Development Survey, an annual report of research spending at U.S. colleges and universities. Our $1.1 billion of spending placed us at No. 20 in the nation. Only 24 institutions recorded expenditures of $1 billion or more, and for the second year in a row, Georgia Tech was the only one to reach that level without a medical school (medical schools account for about 25% of all research spending in the U.S.).
This past weekend, we awarded more than 5,600 bachelor’s, master’s, and doctor’s degrees to another remarkable group of graduates. Representing 82 countries around the world, these graduates come from all backgrounds and circumstances, and they are embarking on a multitude of different paths. Yet, they all leave the Institute with a keen ability to solve problems, the confidence to innovate and lead, and a commitment to drive positive change.
Every chance I get, I love to drop by and visit faculty and students in their labs. Invariably, I’m amazed by the breadth and depth of ingenuity and expertise on our campus — the discoveries, inventions, and innovative solutions to some of the most important issues facing humanity.
Last week, I had the pleasure of introducing J Batt, our new director of Athletics, to the Yellow Jacket community. During our joint press conference, J reflected on the fact that three of the most prestigious national awards in intercollegiate athletics — the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award, the Heisman Trophy, and the Homer Rice Award — are named after three of his predecessors at Georgia Tech. That’s an impressive legacy to treasure and build upon, and a reminder of the level of excellence Georgia Tech alumni and fans have come to expect from us.