Every year, the Georgia Tech School of Building Construction unites our vibrant community. This gathering not only celebrates our academic programs but also shines a spotlight on the trailblazers among us through awards such as the Outstanding Senior of the Year, Outstanding Graduate Students of the Year, Faculty Awards, and Outstanding Alumni Awards.

This occasion is more than just a celebration; it exemplifies the potential that arises from collaboration among visionary thought leaders in the construction industry, our innovative student body, and dedicated faculty researchers. Together, we foster an environment where groundbreaking ideas emerge, collaborations flourish, and the future of construction is shaped by our collective passion and expertise.

The 2026 School of Building Construction Banquet and Golden Hard Hat Celebration brought together students, faculty, alumni, and industry leaders on April 28 at Guardian Works in Atlanta for an evening focused on recognition, mentorship, and the future of the construction industry. The annual event celebrated graduating students across the School’s undergraduate, master’s, doctoral, and real estate development programs while highlighting the strong partnerships that continue to shape Georgia Tech’s construction community. 

Throughout the evening, industry partners, faculty, and alumni reflected on the importance of collaboration between the classroom and the professional world. In her welcome remarks, College of Design Dean Ellen Bassett emphasized the School’s growing impact on both Atlanta and the broader construction sector. 

“This is an incredibly important sector in not just the Atlanta economy, but the U.S. economy, and we are really proud to be producing the type of talent that will move this industry forward,” Bassett said. “We want to be an incredibly important partner for you.” 

The evening also recognized the School’s industry affiliates and supporters, whose partnerships provide students with experiential learning opportunities, scholarships, networking access, and mentorship. School Chair Georg Reichard highlighted the continued investment from industry partners, including MetroPower’s multi-year commitment supporting student travel, scholarships, competitions, and hands-on learning initiatives. 

One of the night’s signature traditions, the Golden Hard Hat Ceremony, honored graduating students as they prepared to enter the next chapter of their careers. Reichard described the ceremony as a symbolic “handover from us to you,” recognizing the transition from student to industry professional and future alumni mentor. 

Students, faculty, and guests also celebrated capstone competition winners, outstanding faculty and graduate teaching award recipients, and student achievement across the School’s programs. The event concluded with networking, photos, and a special appearance by Georgia Tech’s Ramblin’ Wreck, which joined the celebration as graduates received their golden hard hats. 

Photos from the evening, including award winners, graduating students, and event highlights, are featured in the slideshow below.

Not pictured: 
Graduate Student Instructor of the Year:
Marwan Shagar