By Melissa Alonso | November 2025 

Last month, the School of Architecture and the School of City and Regional Planning welcomed distinguished alumni and student fellows for an intimate donor–student meet-and-greet at The John and Joyce Caddell Building. The afternoon brought together the donors whose vision and philanthropy shape generations of Georgia Tech designers, and the student scholars carrying that legacy forward.

The gathering included longtime Georgia Tech supporters Niles Bolton, Bob Zoeckler, and Mary Claire Eastman, along with classmates Ken Gwinner and Linda MacArthur, whose generosity through the Class of 1979 Endowmentand the Gwinner Award continues to uplift architecture students each year. They were joined by this year’s fellowship and prize recipients — Stephanie Orr and Judie Chekfeh (Gwinner Student Award & Class of 1979 Endowment Scholars), Nour Khalifa (Bolton Prize Recipient), Grace Fraser (Kennedy Fellow, School of City and Regional Planning), and Botao Li (Eastman Fellow).

While the majority of participants were Architecture alumni, the presence of the Kennedy Fellowship highlighted the College’s broader ecosystem of design and planning excellence. Conversations flowed easily as alumni reconnected, reminisced, and shared encouragement with students embarking on their own paths.

“Architects are generally fairly passionate about what we do and what we study,” MacArthur noted with a smile, as groups animatedly swapped stories. “We talked about the good old days,” Gwinner added.

Gwinner and MacArthur reflected on their time at Georgia Tech with their recipients.

“We spent our senior year in Paris. That’s a good memory,” one recalled, thinking back on formative studio years and the lasting relationships built along the way.

That shared foundation of experience has shaped not only their careers but their dedication to supporting students today.

“Mentoring and paying it forward is just part of your expectation as a professional,” MacArthur said. “Make sure that when it comes full circle, you're on the other side of this table and you're mentoring someone else,” Gwinner emphasized.

They also spoke to the power of staying connected beyond campus.

“We met here in Atlanta…and we got together again in Manhattan,” a donor shared about reconnecting with a former mentee. “We really encourage you to reach out to us…we’ve got friends who can help point you in the right direction.”

For students, hearing firsthand insight from accomplished alumni served as inspiration—and affirmation that their work and potential are recognized.

“I was glad for the opportunity to pick their brain about their own experience,” said Orr, a fourth-year Architecture student minoring in Sustainable Development and Construction. “It’s a nice moment to connect."

As we approach Thanksgiving, this gathering reminds us that Georgia Tech’s strength lies in its people: donors who open doors, students who seize opportunity, and a shared belief in excellence and service.

Our donors do more than fund scholarships—they model leadership, generosity, and the importance of giving back. And our students are learning not only to design buildings, but to build community and legacy.

To our donors: thank you. Your generosity changes lives, strengthens our programs, and inspires future leaders in design and planning.