College of Design Memories and a Buzz-Worthy Tailgate

Eight adults pose together beneath a tent at an outdoor gathering. Several wear Georgia Tech hats or clothing, and a Brasfield & Gorrie banner stands beside them.
Tyrone Davis, College of Design
Dean Ellen Basset and guests gathered at the College of Design Homecoming Tailgate.
By Melissa Alonso | October 2026

The East Architecture Building’s front lawn filled with familiar faces Saturday, Oct. 24, as College of Design alumni, faculty, staff and their families gathered for the annual Homecoming Tailgate. Over brunch, Yellow Jackets reconnected with classmates and former instructors before kickoff. This year’s Homecoming theme, hosted by the Student Center Programs Council, was “Lost at Sea, Found at Homecoming.” 

The Georgia Tech Glee Club entertained the crowd, and Buzz joined the fun, playing cornhole with the kids. The gathering brought together Yellow Jackets across generations, including College of Design Advisory Board president Laura Gravesen (BSID ’07, MBA ’09), who came with her children; architect and sustainability leader Liz York (ARCH ’90, M.Arch ’95); and retired principal Bill Clark (ARCH ’77, M.Arch ’79). 

Col. Stephen C. Hall (USAF, retired), a 1967 Industrial Management alumnus, attended with his wife, Pamela. After 26 years in the Air Force, Hall taught and delivered lectures on World War II history at Georgia Tech and other colleges. Together, the Halls support Georgia Tech students through philanthropy, mentoring and teaching.

Georgia Tech mascot Buzz crouches to high-five a young child while another child and an adult watch nearby outside a campus building.
Buzz shares a high-five with a young guest at the College of Design Homecoming Tailgate.
Buzz gestures toward an outdoor buffet table with fruit and biscuits with sausage gravy.
Tyrone Davis, College of Design
Buzz was blown away by the brunch buffet at the College of Design Homecoming Tailgate.
A woman in a white jacket with a Buzz design turns toward the camera. Guests gather beneath tents behind her.
Abbigail Tumpey, Vice President of Institute Communications
A woman in a College of Design bucket hat takes a selfie outdoors with Buzz, who raises a gloved hand.
Selfie with Buzz.

A Homecoming Tradition That Runs in the Family

Gwynn and Scott Semmelink pose together in Georgia Tech apparel outside a campus building with colorful “Design” lettering. Scott wears a gold No. 21 Yellow Jackets jersey; Gwynn wears a navy Georgia Tech sweatshirt.
Gwynn Semmelink (ARCH ’03) and her husband, Scott, celebrate their wedding anniversary at the College of Design Homecoming Tailgate. They planned their wedding around Homecoming.

As an architect with Georgia Tech’s Planning, Design and Construction group, Gwynn Semmelink (ARCH ’03) knows campus as both a professional and an alumna. She remembers when a Materials Science building and a parking lot stood where Tech Green is today. 

Gwynn grew up visiting campus with her family, whose Georgia Tech connections span generations: her great-uncle graduated in 1934, her parents in 1974, and her step-uncle in 1996. 

This year’s tailgate gave Gwynn and her husband, Scott, another reason to celebrate: their wedding anniversary. They planned their wedding around Homecoming, making the occasion a fitting time to celebrate together. 

From campus memories and reunions to music, games and a shared brunch, the tailgate offered Yellow Jackets a chance to feel at home—and make new memories together. The College of Design thanks Brasfield & Gorrie for sponsoring this year’s Homecoming Tailgate.

A group of Glee Club members in white shirts and gold ties pose with Buzz outside a campus building.
Georgia Tech Glee Club members pose with Buzz.
A man in a white shirt and gold tie poses with Buzz outside the College of Design.
A Glee Club member and Buzz at the tailgate.
Eight guests pose beneath a tent, several wearing Georgia Tech apparel.
Guests gather at the 2026 College of Design Homecoming Tailgate.
Guests sit at brunch tables beneath outdoor tents. A dog rests beside one table.
Alumni, faculty, staff and families gather for the Homecoming Tailgate brunch.

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