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"This was one of the best Presidents' Dinners yet," said Talmage L. Dryman, IM 45, a former president of the Georgia Tech Alumni Association. "Last year's event at the Georgia Aquarium was outstanding, but this year was highly entertaining."
What made the event exceptional was the entertainment served by The Three Waiters, added his wife, Joanne. "They were a lot of fun."
Neal Stubblefield, ME 79, and his wife, Jo Anne, concurred. "They were fantastic," she said.
The Three Waiters lived up to their billing as winners of the Entertainer of the Year Award and Best Performing Arts Act of 2006, catching a surprised audience in a comedic hoax before revealing themselves as opera singers.
It was such an engaging performance that when Georgia Tech President Wayne Clough addressed the nearly 600 Leadership Circle guests at the World Congress Center, he drew a laugh by professing, "I'm not the fourth waiter. I won't be singing for you."
Clough lauded the Institute's No. 8 ranking among public universities according to U.S. News & World Report and by peer institutions as among the top 25 in reputation regardless of public or private status.
"Recently we conducted a comprehensive study of Georgia Tech's economic impact. It showed that Georgia Tech has a $4 billion annual impact on Georgia's economy and that we generate 45,000 jobs for Georgia citizens," Clough said.
Janice N. Wittschiebe, chair of the Alumni Association, and Don L. Chapman, chair of the Georgia Tech Foundation, also hosted the event, observing the 60th anniversary of the Roll Call.
"We believe in the mission of Georgia Tech. We believe in the vision of Georgia Tech. We believe in the people of Georgia Tech. And, of course, we believe in the outstanding leadership of Georgia Tech," said Wittschiebe, Arch 78, M Arch 80.
Wittschiebe added that more than 31,000 donors will contribute more than $8.16 million to this year's annual Roll Call, which provides unrestricted funding to the Institute.
Chapman, IM 61, said, "Our passion for Georgia Tech and its mission and our gratitude for all Tech has meant to each of us in our lives is what brings us together here tonight."
Wayne Kerr, Biol 73, enthusiastically led the audience in singing the Ramblin' Wreck fight song to conclude the program. The evening entertainment continued with dancing to the Motown sounds of the Jimmy Church Band.
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