News Briefs

Smithgall receives Ivan Allen award

The Ivan Allen college jointly honored Lessie and the late Charles Smithgall, Jr. (BS '33) with their 2007 Ivan Allen Jr. Prize for Progress and Service. The award will be presented at a luncheon on March 15. This is the first time that the award has been given to a couple, and Smithgall, who died in 2000, is the first posthumous recipient. Over their lifetimes the Smithgalls have made philanthropic gifts surpassing $20 million, many of which have benefited Tech.

Most notably, in 1988 they made a then-secret $3 million donation to Tech to have the new liberal arts college named after their friend Ivan Allen, a former Atlanta mayor who graduated from Tech in 1933 along with Charles. They also funded the establishment of three chairs in the College of Science as well as the creation of the Smithgall Student Services Building.

Previous recipients of the award include former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and Maxis co-founder Will Wright.

2007 Homecoming Committee forms

The 2007 Festival and Homecoming Committees are forming now, and the application deadline is Friday, Feb. 2. A Festival Committee Information Session will be held Thursday, Jan. 26, at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m., in Student Center Room 320.

A Homecoming Committee Information Session will be held Tuesday, Jan. 30, at 6:30 p.m., in Student Center Commons Piedmont Room, and Thursday, Feb. 1, at 11:15 p.m. in Student Center Room 320.