Donor Stories
Gary T. Jones
Gary T. Jones, IM 1971, says he first became "hooked" on Tech athletics as a young boy the first time he listened to Al Ciraldo announce a football game on the radio. That feeling was further cemented the first time his father—an Emory alumnus who was a "huge Tech fan"—took him to Grant Field to see the Yellow Jackets in person.
"Not only is it difficult to be accepted at Georgia Tech, but it is also extremely challenging to stay at Georgia Tech, says Jones. "I am absolutely amazed at how our student-athletes balance three-hour labs in science courses, in addition to their other course load, and go to practice and hit the weight room and visit the trainer."
To support the student-athletes whose talent and work ethic he so admires, Jones and his wife, Elizabeth "Libby" Jones, have committed $1 million to establish the Gary T. and Elizabeth R. Jones Athletic Director's Choice Endowment. Funds generated by the endowment will provide scholarship support to deserving student-athletes or may be used in certain situations for needs determined by the athletic director for special one-time projects. A portion of the commitment will also be used for annual current operations of the Georgia Tech Athletic Association.
Their commitment puts Georgia Tech one step closer to being funded at the NCAA maximum scholarship level while providing the flexibility to target scholarship funds to the sports where they are most needed, which will help sustain a high-quality athletic program.
Jones is among the Georgia Tech community's most loyal and active alumni. A former Sigma Nu fraternity member, Jones takes strives to uphold the hallmark of his fraternity by inspiring men to realize their potential. Inducted into the College of Management's Hall of Fame in 2004, he is a charter member of The Hill Society, as well as a former member of the National Campaign Steering Committee, the Ivan Allen College Executive Advisory Board, and the Georgia Tech Foundation's Investment Committee. In recognition of his support for the College of Management prior to and during the Technology Square initiative, the College dedicated the Gary T. and Elizabeth R. Jones Career Center and the Evelyn T. and Mallory C. Jones and the Helen W. and John T. Rhett Classrooms in honor of their parents.
