New Interim Dean of Sciences, Homecoming Week Arrives

Monday brought a leadership announcement, the official start of Homecoming week, and a pair of dates worth circling on the calendar. Here is what mattered around campus on October 19, 2026.

Collard Named Interim Dean of the College of Sciences

David Collard, senior associate dean for the College of Sciences and a professor in the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, has accepted an appointment as interim leader of the College of Sciences. In the role he will represent a college of more than 3,000 students, 500 faculty members, and six internationally ranked schools. Collard joined the Georgia Tech faculty in 1991, and his research program has focused on how interactions between molecules shape the properties of materials, from electrical conductivity to biological response. He has also been recognized for teaching excellence and for his use of educational technology in the classroom. Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Raheem Beyah credited Collard’s “thoughtful approach and deep affinity for the college,” noting his willingness to provide continuity for a college that has grown substantially in size and reputation over the past seven years. A national search for the next dean will be led by College of Engineering Dean Mitchell Wallker, with committee details and key dates to be posted to provost.gatech.edu. Read the full announcement.

Homecoming Week Celebrates Generations of Yellow Jackets

Generations of Yellow Jackets return to campus October 19–24 for a week of Institute traditions leading up to the Homecoming football game against Boston College. The Homecoming Carnival takes over Tech Green on Tuesday, October 20, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with inflatable rides, food, crafts, and a dunk tank under the theme “Lost at Sea, Found at Homecoming.” That same afternoon, Ramblin’ On: Miles of Memories invites the community to ride through campus with President Ángel Cabrera, with cheer stations along the route. Friday brings Buzz Bash at Exhibition Hall and the Mini 500 tricycle race at Peters Parking Deck, an eight-lap sprint hosted by Ramblin’ Reck Club since 1969. Saturday starts before sunrise with the Freshman Cake Race, a tradition that dates to 1913, followed by the Ramblin’ Wreck Parade along Fowler Street and the Helluva Block Party on North Avenue. Class reunions and campus tours run throughout the week. See the full schedule of events.

Grad Fest 2026 Set for October 29

Students graduating this semester have a one-stop shop for Commencement preparation. Grad Fest 2026 runs Thursday, October 29, from 2 to 6 p.m. on the second floor of Barnes & Noble at Georgia Tech, where graduates can connect with Commencement vendors and gather the information and resources they need for the big day. Regalia is also available for purchase online and in-store for anyone who cannot attend. Get the details.

Distance Teaching and Learning Symposium Returns November 2

The 2026 Celebrating Distance Teaching and Learning Symposium, hosted by the Center for Teaching and Learning, will honor educators who have built high-quality practices for teaching at a distance. Scheduled for Monday, November 2, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the day features keynote speaker Jonathan Powers, Ph.D., on applying startup methodologies to teaching, learning, and course design, along with inventive instructors, award-winning online TAs and faculty, and pedagogical specialists working at the intersection of learning and technology. Registration is open.

Looking Ahead

It is a big week on The Flats, with Homecoming traditions stretching from Tech Green to North Avenue and a new chapter beginning in the College of Sciences. Which Homecoming tradition are you not missing this year? Let us know in the comments, and check back for tomorrow’s digest.