BY Ski Helinksi
In the spring of 1988, a letter arrived on the desk of John P. Crecine, then president of Georgia Tech, thanking him for taking whatever action was necessary to name a proposed new college at the Institute for Ivan Allen Jr., Com 33.
The letter went on to confirm the writer's commitment of $3 million to Georgia Tech, but only "if it is able to honor Ivan Allen in the manner we have agreed." Then the writer stated, "It is of utmost importance to me that there be no public or private acknowledgement of my making these gifts and I appreciate your pledge to maintain the confidentiality I seek."
For nearly 20 years, Georgia Tech honored the letter writer's wish to keep his gift a secret from his friend and classmate. Now the Ivan Allen College is acknowledging that $3 million gift by posthumously recognizing its donor, Charles Smithgall, Cls 33, with the 2007 Ivan Allen Jr. Prize for Progress and Service.
Smithgall died in 2000. His widow, Lessie Smithgall, has been named a co-recipient of the award, which will be presented during the college's Founder's Day luncheon March 15, the late Allen's birthday.
The gift to name the college was hardly the first — or the last — that the Smithgalls bestowed on Georgia Tech, Atlanta and the state of Georgia.
Their contributions total more than $20 million in property and cash, including Smithgall Woods, a 5,600-acre nature preserve and lodge in north Georgia given to the state, and the 168-acre Smithgall Woodlands Gardens in Gainesville, Ga., donated to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens.
At Georgia Tech, the Smithgalls' philanthropy is responsible for three chairs in the College of Sciences as well as the building that houses Student Services and support for student athletic facilities.
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