Looking back, John Slaughter (EE 1989, M.S. EE 1990) understands that a few key decisions can change the course of one's life. For him, one decision stands out as a pivotal moment that guided his academic path and set him on a professional journey of semiconductor innovation.
“My best decision as a student was changing my major early,” Slaughter said. “Right after the first quarter of my freshman year. I saw guys around me in the dorm just relishing their electrical engineering classes, and I was already feeling the physics of electrical engineering pulling me away from the chemistry of chemical engineering.”
In 1990, Slaughter’s first year at Tech, electrical engineering was popular, so transferring was no guarantee. Fortunately, the switch was approved and the rest, as they say, is history.
Today, his early academic decision continues to have a profound impact. The Georgia Tech School of Electrical and Computer Engineering has recently established the John Slaughter Chair in Semiconductors, with Professor Alan Doolittle as the inaugural recipient.
“Tech took a chance on me with a generous scholarship, and I have enjoyed returning the favor with interest,” Slaughter said. “I am excited to support the beautiful theory, practice, and teaching of semiconductors, a field that was critical to my personal career but is also critical to the future of our country."
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Left: Slaughter's bachelor's graduation in 1989 with his parents and the Ramblin' Wreck in the background. His father, John M. Slaughter, was a 1948 Georgia Tech graduate. Right: Slaughter's 5-year service award photo at Watkins-Johnson Co. in 1995.
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By 2030, the U.S. semiconductor industry is expected to add nearly 115,000 jobs but will face a shortfall of about 67,000 positions. The establishment of the John Slaughter Chair in Semiconductors comes at an opportune time to help address the growing domestic demand and talent gap in the field, according to Steve W. Chaddick School Chair and Professor Arijit Raychowdhury.
"The John Slaughter Chair in Semiconductors not only honors the legacy of an esteemed alumnus but also strengthens our commitment to advancing semiconductor research and education,” Raychowdhury said. “This chair will enable us to attract and retain top talent in the field, further solidifying our position as a leader in semiconductor innovation. I cannot thank John enough for his support.”
A West Virginia native, Slaughter enrolled at Georgia Tech after receiving the late Dr. E. Jo Baker’s President’s Scholarship. He soon found himself surrounded by numerous opportunities and valuable mentorship. One of his most memorable mentors was Professor Thomas Gaylord, who played a pivotal role in shaping John's early career.
Upon graduation, John embarked on a path that would see him become a radio frequency design engineer with Watkins-Johnson Company. There, he mastered the art of using a soldering iron and contributed to the development of cutting-edge broadband communications and signal processing equipment. His technical papers were well-received, marking the beginning of a distinguished career.
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Slaughter was inducted into the Academy of Distinguished Engineering Alumni at the 2025 College of Engineering Alumni Awards Induction Ceremony. He was presented the award by Dean Raheem Beyah (left) and retired astronaut Shane Kimbrough, M.S. OR 1998 (right).
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“My Georgia Tech and EE experience led seamlessly into an early design career, both intellectually and practically,” Slaughter said. “Not to mention Tech’s industry links that helped me get that first job.”
In 1997, John's career took a significant turn when he joined Digital Receiver Technology, Inc. As a key player in the development of software-defined radios, John helped build innovative technologies that would shape the future of communications. By the time he retired as vice president of engineering in 2011, John had left an indelible mark on the industry.
John has since invested in and served on the boards of companies like Atlanta Micro and Herrick Technology Labs. He has also contributed to various Georgia Tech initiatives, including the President’s Scholarship, ECE support, the football program, and the impressive barbell squat and deadlift sections of the Campus Recreation Center.
"Georgia Tech is an exceptional force for good,” Slaughter said. “It extends human knowledge with record-breaking amounts of research and produces engineers and other leaders with highest-class peer- and industry-affirmed quality, and in unparalleled quantity.”
The inaugural John Slaughter Chair in Semiconductors is fellow ECE alum Professor Alan Doolittle, a renowned figure in wide bandgap semiconductor materials and devices, dielectric materials growth and characterization, and microelectronic device fabrication.
Doolittle, a native of Jonesboro, Georgia, earned his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering with highest honors in 1989 and his Ph.D. in electrical engineering in 1996.
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"Being awarded the John Slaughter Chair in Semiconductors is a tremendous honor,” Doolittle said. “I am deeply grateful for John's generosity and am committed to advancing the field in ways that will benefit both our students and the broader community.”
In recognition of his professional career and continued commitment to Georgia Tech, Slaughter was inducted into the Academy of Distinguished Engineering Alumni at the 2025 College of Engineering Alumni Awards on March 8.
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