Donor Stories
Founders' Council Profile
David A. Bottoms
In 2006, David A. Bottoms became the youngest member ever to join the Georgia Tech Founders' Council, the honorary society of alumni and friends who have made estate or life-income gifts of $25,000 or more to support Tech. Only twenty-seven years old at the time, Bottoms became a Council member after including a provision in his will to support the President's Scholarship Program.
Like so many other Tech alumni, Bottoms was motivated to give back to his alma mater because of the impact a Georgia Tech education had on his life. The recipient of a President's Scholarship, Tech's premier merit-based scholarship, Bottoms credits Georgia Tech for equipping him with the tools he needed to succeed.
The scholarship, which cemented his decision to become a Yellow Jacket, provided the foundation for a lifetime of opportunity. Says Bottoms, "The President's Scholarship provided me with the resources and connections with which to make the most of my experience as a student." After graduating with a management degree in 2001, he enjoyed professional as well as personal success and the desire for him to help other Tech students grew.
In creating his gift plan, Bottoms wanted to maximize his commitment to Georgia Tech while maintaining financial security for himself and his wife, Brittney W. Bottoms. Through an outright commitment to endow the David A. Bottoms President's Scholarship over five years, he was able to take advantage of his company's gift matching policy. He also made a provision for the scholarship in his will, allowing him to continue building wealth while committing assets to Georgia Tech.
For Bottoms, the importance of his gift lies in his responsibility to future Georgia Tech students. "All in all, my Tech experience was tremendous," he says. "I view it as an honor and a responsibility to provide that opportunity for others."
