Volunteers swarmed over campus on March 31 for the 12th annual Tech Beautification Day.
“After the great extracurricular activities, excellent academics and fun times we have here, it’s a great feeling to give back to the school in any way we can,” said Barry Weaver, a first-year BIO student. “We really made Tech ready to blossom into its spring beauty.”
Institute President G.P. “Bud” Peterson and Dan Radakovich, Director of the Athletic Association, welcomed participants at the Kessler Campanile before they were led to their project locations by volunteer project managers.
Event organizers say the event was a chance for students, faculty and staff to give back to their campus by improving the aesthetic quality of public outdoor spaces. Volunteers worked on over 70 projects, including general cleanup, landscaping and other maintenance work.
“Tech Beautification Day is unique in that it offers everyone a chance to give back to Tech and improve our campus,” said Matt Kogan, executive co-chairman of the planning committee and fourth-year BA major. “It allows students, faculty and staff an opportunity to improve the aesthetics of the campus while working with peers.”
The event is the result of a collaboration between a several Institute offices, the student executive committee and a number of corporate sponsors.
The day incorporated the Greek community as well. In collaboration with Interfraternity Council and Collegiate Panhellenic Council, the Greek Initiative was launched in 2009 as a way to get the Greek community motivated to, according to the event website, “take pride in [Greek] property as an important part of the Tech campus.”
Each fraternity or sorority could submit their own service project ideas and apply to have the tools supplied by the planning committee.
“This year’s event was very successful. [We] rekindled our past partnership with GT Greek Week for 2012, and we saw over 1100 volunteers sign up for projects,” Kogan said. “GT Facilities also provided amazing support for the event and reinforced the notion that this year’s event was very successful.”
Students looked forward to seeing the effects of their work around campus in the coming weeks.
“The fun of participating each year is not only seeing all the people who come out to show their support, but also hearing the positive comments from tour groups and other visitors to the campus after the event,” said Michael Hodgson, a fourth-year AE major.
The planning committee has plans to increase the scope of the event in the coming years.
“In the future, we look to expand [Tech Beautification Day] further and increase the participation and scope of the event,” Kogan said. “We also are potentially looking to work together with similar events, such as TeamBuzz, in the future.”