Years in the making, the sweeping, shining art installation Pathway of Progress: Celebrating Georgia Tech Women, located in the heart of campus near the John Lewis Student Center, will officially open on Saturday, March 8. 

The structure contains nearly 3,000 mirrored tiles, each of which will one day tell the story of Tech alumnae, students, faculty, and staff who made a lasting impact — at the Institute, in their field, and in the world. 

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The inscribed mosaic fabric stretches across the site in three areas, beginning wrapped around a spiral contemplative bench dedicated to the history of women at Tech. Emerging from the ground, it spans across the site and main pedestrian spine, presenting the voices of women from Tech — graduates who have made a significant impact in their field since leaving campus. And as the tribute reaches above the John Lewis Student Center, it inspires visions for future Georgia Tech women.   

On opening day, 168 inscribed tiles will present voices and stories from the installation’s inaugural honorees, and more honorees’ stories will be added annually. The design process included input from faculty, staff, and students. It was brought to life by Merica May Jensen, MGT 2008, M. ARCH 2011, the lead project artist-architect and a founding creative director at Gray Matters, a New York City-based design studio.

The inscribed mosaic fabric stretches across the site in three areas, beginning wrapped around a spiral contemplative bench dedicated to the history of women at Tech. Emerging from the ground, it spans across the site and main pedestrian spine, presenting the voices of women from Tech — graduates who have made a significant impact in their field since leaving campus. And as the tribute reaches above the John Lewis Student Center, it inspires visions for future Georgia Tech women.   

On opening day, 168 inscribed tiles will present voices and stories from the installation’s inaugural honorees, and more honorees’ stories will be added annually. The design process included input from faculty, staff, and students. It was brought to life by Merica May Jensen, MGT 2008, M. ARCH 2011, the lead project architect and a founding creative director at Gray Matters, a New York City-based design studio.

This evolving, continuous tribute has three areas, beginning with a networked mosaic of inscribed tiles nestled in the landscape, wrapping around a circular, contemplative bench dedicated to the history of women at Tech. As it emerges from the ground, it expands into a network of pathways to present the voices of significant women from Tech, and as it reaches above the John Lewis Student Center terrace, it celebrates wishes for Tech’s future women. On opening day, 168 of the 3,000 inscribed tiles will present voices and stories from the installation’s inaugural honorees. Additional inscriptions will be added annually.

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In addition to the milestones inscribed as micro-stories on the tribute’s tiles, the project’s accompanying website will provide more in-depth resources.

The Pathway of Progress was made possible by generous support from Andrea L. Laliberte, IE 1982, M.S. IE 1984, and designed by Merica May Jensen, MGT 2008, M. ARCH 2011. A collaborative team across campus has supported its creation. Visit the project’s website to learn more.