For me, the John H. Martinson Honors Program represents what is best about Georgia Tech. Honors students excel in some of the most demanding STEM disciplines while also pursuing advanced coursework, research, leadership development, and experiential learning opportunities that prepare them to make an outsized impact in the world. The program combines exceptional students, dedicated faculty, and a talented staff to create an environment where achievement, innovation, and service thrive. Honors students often become campus leaders, national award winners, and future leaders in their professions and communities, and their presence elevates the academic experience across the entire university.

My commitment to honors at Georgia Tech is deeply connected to my family's history with the Institute. My father credited much of his success to Georgia Tech's rigorous engineering education, cooperative work experience, and leadership development through Army ROTC. I wanted to build on that legacy by helping Georgia Tech attract and support even more extraordinary students and faculty. Through my investment, I hope to expand opportunities for experiential learning, strengthen faculty engagement, and connect the program with best practices from the Martinson Honors Collaborative, a network of honors programs and colleges at leading STEM- and cooperative education-focused universities across the country.

Looking ahead, I believe the future of the John H. Martinson Honors Program is exceptionally bright. My hope is that it will grow to serve 2,000 students and rank among the nation's top honors programs. Most importantly, I want to see graduates continue to succeed in top graduate programs and build meaningful careers that benefit their professions and communities. I encourage others to support the program because investing in honors is an investment in the students who will become the innovators, researchers, entrepreneurs, and leaders of tomorrow. Their talent, ambition, and appreciation for mentorship create a lasting return that extends far beyond campus.