THE FLATS – Georgia Tech’s highly anticipated new Student-Athlete Performance Center will be named the Thomas A. Fanning Student-Athlete Performance Center in honor of Tech alumnus and longtime benefactor Dr. Thomas A. Fanning. The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia approved the naming on Nov. 14, 2023.
Fanning holds three degrees from Georgia Tech (B.S industrial management, M.S. industrial management, honorary Ph.D.) and was a visionary leader in the energy industry during his 43-year career with the Southern Company, which included serving as president and chief executive officer from 2010-23.
Dr. Thomas A. Fanning
He has demonstrated deep appreciation and commitment to Georgia Tech through more than a decade of service on high-level advisory boards at the Institute, including the Georgia Tech Foundation, the Georgia Tech Advisory Board, two campaign steering committees, the Georgia Tech Athletic Association Board of Trustees and Tech athletics’ Alexander-Tharpe Fund Board. He has also provided philanthropic support for an endowed scholarship in Georgia Tech’s Scheller College of Business and for student-athlete scholarships and program support within Tech athletics.
“We are proud and honored to name Georgia Tech’s new Student-Athlete Performance Center after Dr. Tom Fanning,” Georgia Tech director of athletics J Batt said. “We couldn’t be more grateful for the positive impact that Tom has made on the lives of generations of Georgia Tech student-athletes, so it’s most deserving that his name will be on this building, which will impact the lives of Tech student-athletes for generations to come.”
In his 43 years with the Southern Company, Fanning held 15 different positions in eight different business units, including nearly 13 years as president/CEO. He also served on national energy boards, including the Electricity Subsector Coordinating Council, the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations and the international advisory boards of the Atlantic Council and the American Energy Council.
Approved by the Board of Regents of USG in April 2022, the Thomas A. Fanning Student-Athlete Performance Center will be constructed on the footprint of the Edge/Rice Center in the northeast corner of Bobby Dodd Stadium. The facility will directly impact student-athlete performance on a day-to-day basis, with areas dedicated to strength and conditioning, sports medicine (including mental health services), sports science and data analytics. The building will also include expanded and enhanced meeting, office and lounge space exclusive to Georgia Tech’s football program.
Updated renderings of the Thomas A. Fanning Student-Athlete Performance Center
Construction is scheduled to begin on the Thomas A. Fanning Student-Athlete Performance Center following the conclusion of the 2023 football season and is expected to be completed following the 2025 football season.
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