Georgia Tech Receives Record $100M Gift From Alumnus John W. Durstine
The largest single gift in Institute history will support faculty and academic excellence in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering.
A historic $100 million bequest from the late Georgia Tech alumnus John W. Durstine will forever transform the Institute’s George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering. The landmark gift — the largest single gift in Tech’s history — will establish endowed chairs, professorships, and faculty awards, ensuring that the Institute continues to recruit, develop, and retain world-class faculty for generations to come.
“John Durstine’s historic generosity is deeply inspiring to all of us working to carry out the Institute’s mission,” said Ángel Cabrera, president of Georgia Tech. “John could have left his estate to many good causes, and he chose to invest in Georgia Tech’s faculty because he knew firsthand the transformative impact that our outstanding faculty have in the lives and careers of our students. This gift will have an enduring impact and will ensure that Georgia Tech faculty have the resources to push the boundaries of mechanical engineering, inspire our students, and help improve the human condition. His legacy will live on in every discovery, every innovation, and every student who learns from the faculty his gift supports.”
The Woodruff School offers one of the nation’s largest and most influential mechanical and nuclear engineering programs, with more than 110 faculty and 3,000 students. Faculty lead groundbreaking work in advanced manufacturing, bioengineering, robotics, nuclear technology, and artificial intelligence in engineering design. Durstine’s gift will allow Georgia Tech to attract both early-career rising stars and internationally recognized pioneers of academia, keeping the School at the forefront of innovation.
Durstine, whose life embodied integrity, innovation, and loyalty, passed away in February. He was known for his sharp intellect, quiet generosity, and unwavering loyalty to Georgia Tech. Originally from Birmingham, Alabama, Durstine enrolled in Tech in the 1950s to study mechanical engineering — a decision he often credited with shaping the trajectory of his life. After graduation, he earned an MBA from Harvard Business School and joined the Ford Motor Company, where he spent more than three decades shaping truck and light vehicle design, powertrain strategy, and advanced systems engineering.
“His legacy will live on in every discovery, every innovation, and every student who learns from the faculty his gift supports.”
Durstine in the Blueprint yearbook as a Georgia Tech undergraduate.
Durstine during his tenure at Ford Motor Company.
“This gift provides once-in-a-lifetime resources for the Woodruff School,” said Raheem Beyah, dean of the College of Engineering and Southern Company Chair. “By investing in the people who teach, inspire, and mentor our students, Mr. Durstine has strengthened the core of the Woodruff School and put it in a class of its own. His legacy is a testament to the extraordinary loyalty and vision of our alumni.”
The John W. Durstine Endowment will provide transformative support in three main areas:
- Faculty Excellence — Establish endowed chairs, professorships, and early-career professorships across the Woodruff School.
- Innovation Infrastructure and Strategic Differentiators — Seed bold interdisciplinary research and provide premier facilities and tools that allow world-class minds to teach, discover, and innovate at the highest level.
- Student Experience and Programming — Expand facilities and hands-on programs such as the Capstone Design, the Flowers Invention Studio, and the Student Competition Center by supporting faculty mentors and students.
Durstine maintained a lifelong bond with Georgia Tech, staying closely connected to the Woodruff School and cheering on students at competitions. In 2014, he was inducted into the College of Engineering Hall of Fame — an honor he treasured.
Durstine (front row, second from right) at the 2014 Georgia Tech College of Engineering Alumni Awards Induction Ceremony.
Durstine (right) shakes hands with Gary May, former dean of the Georgia Tech College of Engineering, at the event.
His philanthropy began in 1978 with a $100 gift to Tech’s annual fund, Roll Call, and continued over the next four decades until it ultimately culminated in one of the most extraordinary commitments in Institute history. His bequest will now ensure that the institution that launched his career will continue to launch the careers of countless others.
“John valued integrity, precision, and results — qualities that define the best engineers,” said William J. Wepfer, professor emeritus and former chair of the Woodruff School. “His gift is as strategic as it is generous, aimed squarely at ensuring Georgia Tech remains a leader in mechanical engineering far into the future.”
The endowment marks a bold step forward for the Woodruff School. It strengthens the foundation for future investment and philanthropic partnership to ensure that the School remains a global leader in mechanical and nuclear engineering education and research.
The Georgia Tech Foundation will manage the endowment in accordance with Durstine’s wishes, ensuring that its perpetual support shapes the Woodruff School’s future for decades to come. This transformative gift is also part of Transforming Tomorrow: The Campaign for Georgia Tech, a $2 billion effort running through 2027 to provide vital resources for Tech students, faculty, programs, and facilities across campus.
About the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering
Georgia Tech’s George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering is ranked No. 2 and No. 5 in the undergraduate and graduate categories, respectively, in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report rankings. Additionally, its nuclear engineering graduate program is ranked No. 9 by U.S. News. With world-class faculty, pioneering research, and a commitment to experiential learning, the School prepares students to become leaders in industry, academia, and public service.
About the Georgia Tech Foundation
Established in 1932, the Georgia Tech Foundation partners with alumni and friends to support the Institute’s mission of Progress and Service. The Foundation manages gifts and endowments to ensure they have a lasting impact on Georgia Tech’s students, faculty, and programs.
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