Wayne Clough Leaves Georgia Tech

G. Wayne Clough, the first alumnus to serve as president of the Georgia Institute of Technology, will step down from that post on July 1, 2008, to head up the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.

As Georgia Tech's tenth president, Clough has led the university through more than a decade of unprecedented growth and expansion. Since his inauguration in September 1994, Clough has led the Institute to national and international prominence. During his tenure, the academic reach of Georgia Tech has stretched across the state and around the world with campuses in Savannah, France, Ireland, Singapore, and China. Research expenditures have increased from $212 million to more than $473 million, enrollment has increased from 13,000 to 18,000, and the Institute has consistently ranked among the top ten public universities.

"I leave Georgia Tech with a debt of gratitude to everyone who helped the Institute become the premier institution of higher learning that it is today," said G. Wayne Clough, president, Georgia Institute of Technology. "I am proud of all that we accomplished with the help of our faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends."

While improving Georgia Tech's reputation for science and engineering, Clough has emphasized the importance of humanities education. He established two endowed chairs in poetry out of 20 in the nation, and strengthened the university's commitment to public policy and public service. In all, 23 of the 25 new majors are in non-engineering disciplines or are interdisciplinary, including degrees in music and modern languages

"Wayne Clough has been one of the greatest presidents in Georgia Tech's history," said Gary Schuster, provost of Georgia Tech. "His leadership and vision have been responsible for the unprecedented and revolutionary advance in Georgia Tech's programs and stature during his tenure. Although we are very sorry to see him depart, we wish him the best in his new endeavor. In the meantime, we will focus on finding a new president who can continue Georgia Tech's remarkable trajectory as we take our place among the truly best universities in the world."

As an alumnus, Clough enjoyed a special relationship with the students who matriculated through Georgia Tech during his tenure. His personal commitment to assist qualified students from families who earn less than $30,000 led to the development of Tech Promise, a financial aid program that helps students earn their college degree debt-free. He also launched a number of programs designed to increase the gender and ethnic diversity of the Georgia Tech community.

In addition to enhanced prestige and international reputation, Clough leaves a legacy of fundraising unmatched in the history of the Institute. He led two capital campaigns that have raised more than $1.6 billion in private gifts to the university. These funds have been used to position the Institute as a technological leader in higher education and research, exemplified by a $1 billion investment in new academic facilities.

Demonstrating a personal commitment to public service, Clough was named to the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) in 2001, and to the National Science Board in 2004. He has served as the vice chair of the US Council on Competitiveness, chair of the National Academy of Engineering's Engineer 2020 Project, and chair of the National Academies Committee on New Orleans Regional Hurricane Protection Projects.

Clough has been widely recognized for his teaching and research. He has received nine national awards from the American Society of Civil Engineers, most recently the OPAL lifetime award for contributions to education. Clough is one of a handful of engineers to have been twice-awarded civil engineering's oldest recognition - the Normal Medal - in 1992 and 1996. He received his B.S. and M.S. in Civil Engineering from Georgia Tech in 1964 and 1965, and a Ph.D. in 1969 in Civil Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley.

As Secretary of the Smithsonian, Clough will direct the efforts of the nation's premier educational, historical, and cultural archive. The Smithsonian is comprised of 19 museums, 156 affiliated museums and nine research centers. It receives nearly 25 million visitors each year and operates with a budget of more than $700 million.

University System of Georgia Chancellor Erroll B. Davis Jr. will initiate a national search process to identify candidates to fill the post being vacated by Clough. Details of that process will be announced.