With the holiday season officially starting next week, there’s a distinct feeling of warmth and reflection in the air. The trees surrounding the student center have turned the perfect shade of orange, the morning chill lingers in Tech Square, and the campus buzz softens as students and staff alike prepare to unwind. It’s a time to rest, take stock, and reflect on a year filled with progress and pride.
For the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE), this year has been nothing short of remarkable. From groundbreaking research to innovative new student organizations, and strong collaborations with industry leaders, the community has much to celebrate and even more to be grateful for.
Hear from faculty, staff, students, and friends below as they reflect on the countless reasons to cherish being a part of the Georgia Tech ECE community.
A Note of Thankfulness from the Chair
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Dear Friends,
As we embrace this season of gratitude, I want to express my heartfelt thanks for the incredible support and dedication from the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) community. This year, I'm specifically thankful for:
- The transformative research made possible by our dedicated faculty and staff, securing $81.3 million in sponsored research and setting a new record.
- Our students, whose curiosity and drive inspire us daily. They are our mission, and we are committed to nurturing their potential.
- Our alumni, who are a powerful force behind our success. By generously giving their time, resources, and attention, they are crucial to our achievements.
- The Transforming Tomorrow campaign and the rallying of the Georgia Tech community to build a foundation for advancing the Institute.
To continue enhancing our reputation, I encourage you to engage with the School and celebrate our accomplishments. Follow us on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and Facebook. Sharing our achievements is a simple yet impactful way to show your support.
Thank you for all you do to support ECE.
Arijit Raychowdhury
Steve W. Chaddick School Chair and Professor
Grateful for New Opportunities
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The inaugural cohort of ECE 4804 VLSI Design: Theory to Tapeout. Visvesh Sathe pictured to the far right in the middle.
I am truly thankful for the incredible opportunities that our relationship with Apple has created for our students! Their support and collaboration have allowed us to enhance the learning experience, providing students with a hands-on opportunity to implement best practices in IC design, verification, and testing.
It’s gratifying to see this initiative enable our students to thrive and excel. I’m deeply appreciative to be part of a community where these and several other transformative changes are underway.
Visvesh Sathe
Associate Professor
I am thankful for the opportunity to attend the 2024 AfroTech Convention in Houston with support of the ECE Conference and Development Fund! As a Black professional in tech, this event was incredibly meaningful to me, as it provided a platform where minorities in the industry can gain visibility, network with peers, and access opportunities that are often hard to find in the engineering field.
It was a truly eye-opening experience that allowed me to gain exposure, learn, and grow in ways I never imagined. It wouldn’t have been possible without the support of donors. I am deeply grateful for their support and encouragement.
Otto Taylor
Senior Electrical Engineering Major
I'm thankful for Raquel Plaskett (academic program manager in ECE) who takes care of ALL the logistics associated with the EMBARC program and gives up her Tuesday nights to invest in our students. I'm thankful for a great network of alumni who are always willing to invest in our EMBARC students! And finally, I'm thankful to be a part of exceptional Institute that has impacted my life in more ways than I can count!
Mel Coker
ECE Graduate and Advisory Board Member
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Thankful for Community and Friendships
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Tom Gaylord - Regents Professor and 50 Years in ECE
Why am I thankful? I am thankful because Georgia Tech hired me! When I applied, long long ago, there were no faculty positions available anywhere in the country. I applied to EE anyway. Although I didn’t get a response, I followed up in a couple of months. Specifically, I volunteered to come and give a seminar at my own expense! They agreed. Afterall, what did they have to lose? It didn’t cost EE anything. As it turns out, my seminar went well. They liked my research. Then, several months later, they made me an offer to become a (low-paid) Assistant Professor. I happily accepted and I became the 36th member of the faculty in the School of Electrical Engineering. I was a “walk-on.” I am very grateful to this day that Georgia Tech gave me that initial opportunity! Thank you GT!
“I'm thankful for working at Georgia Tech. I have all my benefits I need. It's a good job and I'm praying to God I can continue to do a good job all the time!”
Avril Nicholas
ECE Custodial Services
David Folger - Fifth Year Computer Engineering Student
I am grateful for my cat Meowy. She has been a good emotional support for me when classes get really tough and it's nice to have someone. There is something about an animal that adds a level of responsibility to my own life outside of school. Having Meowy allows me to decompress when I get home! I recently rescued her from the Humane Society and she and I immediately made a connection. I love feeding her, petting her for a little bit, and really decompress after a long day of class.
I am most thankful for our students! It's a bit cliche, but the community that we aspire to and have in ECE is only possible because of our students. They are collaborative and kind, and willing to help each other out. We have so many ECE students engaged in ECE Organizations, research, becoming TAs/tutors, giving advice to each other, showing up for each other, and innovating and excelling together! Our School embodies these qualities, because our students work to maintain that, and I am so appreciate and enjoy working here because of that!
Lakshmi Raju
Director of ECE Student Engagement and Well-Being & Academic Professional
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Grateful for Colleagues and Team Spirit
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I am thankful for the people that I work with, the camaraderie that we have in our little, small group. I'm grateful for the kindness that people bestow upon me, and I try to do likewise. I love being able to share little bit more joy.
Lucretia Allen
HR Consultant
I'm thankful for our team in the ECE Undergraduate and Graduate Office. We have a great group of colleagues that work well together. We’ve been here a long time working together! There is a real joy and lightheartedness about our community, and it feels special!
Barbara Howard
Undergraduate Academic Advisor
Thankful this year and every year for the staff in the Academic Office. Tasha, Angela, Barbara, Teresa, Katrina, Lakshmi, and Rosanna are always on the front lines of our main purpose in educating ECE students. They do it with such grace under tremendous pressure and are always willing to help me do my best. They exemplify students are our top priority. They are true heroes!
Raquel Plaskett
Academic Program Manager
I'm thankful for the team that I work on because they are an awesome team! We work together so well! And then we have some awesome students! I love working with our students. I enjoyed seeing them come to about a grade they have made on a final exam after they've been kind of struggling. Those are really proud moments for me!
Teresa Watkins
Undergraduate Academic Advisor
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Appreciative of Hands-On Learning Experiences
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"I’m thankful for being able to learn more fundamental physics and electronics, eMag, antenna's, radar, and all those applications!"
William Samo
First Year ECE Graduate Student
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“I’m grateful for the hive, because of the three free 3-D printers!"
Lolita Testu
Third Year Biomedical Engineering Student
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“I’m thankful for the community that I’ve found here as a new ECE Georgia Tech student. Everyone here has been so welcoming, helpful, and eager to teach me new things whenever I'm struggling!
Neeharika Baireddy
First Year ECE Graduate Student
“I’m thankful for the Hive because it’s a good space that’s open for most of the school day that allows us to sort of get more hands-on engineering experience, which I think is missing from lot of classes. I get a chance to apply to what we learn in classes outside of class! I’m working on a project right now for my Megatron course and I don’t think without a workshop like the Hive I would ever try to pursue such an ambitious project or something that was a bit more difficult! It requires a lot of moving parts, but because I know I have access to such a good resource and such good people at the Hive I can pursue more and I’ve more interested!
Murtaza Nomani
Fourth Year Mechanical Engineering Stuent
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