June 30, 2026
By Tracie Troha

For more than a decade, Rona Ginsberg helped tell the story of the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering while establishing communications programs that continue to connect its community today.

Ginsberg, who passed away on May 16, served in communications leadership roles from 1998 until her retirement in 2011. She joined the Woodruff School as an information specialist II and later became director of communications. During her tenure, she led the School's communications efforts, overseeing publications, news releases, annual reports, and its early web presence.

“Everyone who worked with Rona will remember her for her warmth and her sense of humor,” said Aldo Ferri, professor and director of assessment and student success. “They will also remember that she was responsible for virtually every aspect of our communications during those early years and was somehow able to keep everything organized and to have every press release and report done correctly and professionally.”

Known for her attention to detail, Ginsberg created many communications initiatives that became fixtures of the Woodruff School. She launched the Woodruff Weekly Digest, played a major role in creating and maintaining the School’s first web presence, and designed displays that are still on view today.

After her retirement, Ginsberg enjoyed traveling with her husband, Jerry Ginsberg, a longtime Woodruff School faculty member. Friends and former colleagues looked forward to her annual New Year's greeting, which shared updates on the couple's travels and adventures.

Ginsberg earned a bachelor's degree from Hunter College and a master's degree from Purdue University. Before joining Georgia Tech, she was the managing editor of the Journal of Operations Research. She was also known for her love of books, Broadway, photography, and writing clever poems for family and friends.

Ginsberg is survived by her husband of 58 years, Jerry; her sons, Mitchell and Daniel; three granddaughters; and many friends, former colleagues, and loved ones.

Ferri said Ginsberg's legacy lives on through the communications programs she built.

"We will all miss her energy and her radiant smile,” he said.