Testimonial

Andy Delano

[BME 1993, MSME 1997, Ph.D. ME 1998]
Mechanical Engineer
Fort Collins System Lab
Hewlett-Packard
Fort Collins, Colorado

I really liked working with Dr. Sam Shelton as an undergraduate research assistant. I already new GT was an excellent school so when Dr. Shelton offered me a graduate research assistant it wasn't really even a decision. Plus my parents lived in Marietta so that helped ease the financial load.

I was fortunate to work for a professor (Shelton) who was close to industry. My first project was down at the Westin Peachtree Plaza optimizing their building control algorithms. I interfaced with management, engineers, and technicians. Next I was even more fortunate to assist Dr. Shelton on the 1996 Olympic Torch design. We had many meetings with ACOG which exposed me to the whole range people from other careers (marketing, business, PR, etc). I even spent six weeks on the road with the relay which exposed me to even more people (such as game wardens, policemen, volunteers, and Olympic athletes). I still look back on this as one of the most exciting times of my whole life. Graduate school at GT was a true high point in my life.

The strength of the program is great professors. There is also a high standard of excellence that you can just feel when you walk around.

The facilities are great; the campus is full of beautiful old trees and its location in the city of Atlanta is terrific. I have been teaching at the University of Colorado and this makes me appreciate Georgia Tech even more. Also, the GT library was a real treat. I have missed it at least once a week since I've left.

Anecdote

I remember once I said to my advisor, Dr. Shelton, "I have to get back to work now". He replied, "Work?; you don't do work in graduate school, you play!" Now that I'm out of school and really working I realize he was right. Graduate school was challenging, but it was mostly a lot of fun.