2025 Alumni and Legacy Awards

Inaugurated in 2015, the Distinguished Alumni Awards celebrate excellence in the College community. We present three categories of awards: the Distinguished Alumni Awards, recognizing graduates from each of our six academic Schools and from each of our ROTC branches of service; the Ivan Allen Jr. Legacy Awards, honoring a faculty member and graduate and undergraduate students; and the Dean’s Appreciation Award, honoring steadfast friends and supporters of the College.

The Distinguished Alumni Awards honor graduates from each of the six academic Schools in the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts and from each of our ROTC branches of service.

John Wylder, ECON 1973

John Wylder graduated from Georgia Tech in 1973 with a B.S. in Economics, making him a part of the group called “the originals,” the first class awarded Economics degrees. He later received an MBA from Mercer University in 1983. Now retired, he had a long career with SunTrust Banks, Hewlett-Packard, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and Microsoft. He was a frequent lecturer at the FFIEC, an instructor for the Georgia Banking School, and co-editor of Economics for Bankers. He has written numerous technology articles and authored Strategic Information Security (Auerbach, 2004), an executive perspective on information security, held in over 100 libraries across 70+ countries. His wife, Lyn Wylder, CE 1975, M.S. CE 1978, was inducted into the Georgia Tech School of Engineering Hall of Fame and recognized in the Pathway of Progress installation.

Wilson Arnold Garrett, HTS 2024

Arnie Garrett is a former Georgia Tech CS major and retired Air Force systems analyst with decades of experience in various information technology industry spaces, working in roles such as IT director, project manager, business analyst, SQL developer, and software/hardware technician. His work has taken him to several global locations such as Panama, England, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, and Turkey. Arnie currently lives in Winder, Georgia with Amy, his wife of 47 years, having raised two grown daughters with four grandchildren. Garrett returned to Georgia Tech in 2022 not satisfied with his previous academic failure, to complete his “mission” of obtaining a B.S. degree in HTS from Georgia Tech. He also volunteers with his church’s service production team and the Northeast Georgia Humane Society.

Jesscica Cox, INTA 2000

Jessica Cox, a member of the Senior Executive Service, serves as director for defense plans and policy at the U.S. Mission to NATO. She is responsible for advocating U.S. defense policy within the NATO Alliance. A longtime official in the Office of the Secretary of Defense for Policy, she has held numerous roles, including chief of staff, acting principal director for East Asia security, director for Russia policy and arms control, and lead negotiator for the Open Skies Treaty. She also served as NATO’s nuclear policy director and as director for arms control at the U.S. National Security Council. Cox holds a Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center and a B.S. in International Affairs from Georgia Tech. She has dedicated her career to advancing U.S. national security and international defense cooperation.

Molly Williams Heacock, STC 2010

Molly Heacock is a wife, mother, and public health practitioner dedicated to integrating physical and spiritual care. She is the managing director and CEO-elect of Untold, a public health NGO supporting those affected by AIDS in East and Southern Africa. A Georgia Tech graduate, she received the President’s Undergraduate Research Award for her work on gender, personhood, and chronic homelessness. She earned a Master of Public Health with a global health certificate from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, focusing on HIV, maternal health, and spiritual practices in chronic illness. Heacock also holds executive certificates in nonprofit management from Georgetown and Duke. A certified cultural intelligence coach, she volunteers as a full-spectrum birth doula in Atlanta.

Yvonne Ploder, IAML-French 2015

Yvonne Ploder leads a Trust and Safety team at Snapchat, dedicated to maintaining platform safety and user protection in New York. At the Office of Eric Schmidt, she distinguished herself by developing technology products for social good and creating partnerships between private and public sectors including the United Nations, Mastercard, and KKR. In 2024, she worked on key organizing initiatives for the Kamala Harris presidential campaign in Georgia. Previously, Ploder led North American customer support at Uber and worked as a consultant with Boston Consulting Group in Atlanta, demonstrating versatility across seven industries and extensive international experience. Ploder holds a B.S. in International Affairs and Modern Languages (French). She completed her MBA at Stanford University and brings a unique global perspective as a native Spanish speaker born in Mexico to an Argentine family.

Lynn Austin, Ph.D. PUBP 2000

Lynn Austin held SES and managerial positions for 25+ years, including deputy director for management and operations at both the NIH/National Cancer Institute and the CDC/Office of Readiness and Response, and chief of staff to the CDC director. She managed operations for organizations with budgets up to $5 billion, 5,000 employees, and 125 buildings and facilities. Since retiring in 2016, she has provided executive coaching to more than 500 professionals, guiding leaders at various career stages. Austin holds a Ph.D. in Health Policy and Management from Georgia Tech and is a certified executive coach through the UGA/Sherpa Coaching Program. She has also served as an adjunct professor at Georgia Tech and Troy University. Passionate about leadership development, she continues to mentor and coach professionals across industries.

Major General Kelly McKeague, Air Force ROTC, IE 1981, M.S. IE 1987

Major General Kelly McKeague has served as director of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) since 2017, overseeing efforts to account for missing U.S. personnel from past conflicts. He leads research, recovery, and identification operations worldwide, ensuring the fullest possible accounting for families and the nation. A retired U.S. Air Force major general, McKeague’s 34-year military career culminated in key leadership roles before he retired in 2015. He began his service as a civil engineering officer after commissioning through Georgia Tech’s Air Force ROTC program. Throughout his career, he earned numerous awards and decorations recognizing his distinguished service. McKeague holds both a Master of Science and a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Georgia Tech. His work continues to honor and bring closure to military families.

Brigadier General Tom Blackstock, Army ROTC, CE 1987

Brigadier General Tom Blackstock was commissioned in June 1986 through the Army ROTC program. Over 38 years of service, his distinguished career included assignments in Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan, South Korea, Honduras, and the country of Georgia. In addition to a Bachelor of Civil Engineering from Georgia Tech, he earned an MBA from Touro University and a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College. A graduate of multiple military institutions, he also completed programs at the Air War College, the Marine Corps University, and the Joint Forces Staff College. Blackstock remains active in service organizations, including the Georgia Tech ROTC Alumni Network, the Ivan Allen College Alumni Board, and the Callahan Fund Board. His legacy of leadership continues to inspire future military and civilian leaders.

Major General Larry Taylor, Navy ROTC, IM 1962

Major General Larry Taylor served in Iraq in 2008-09 as a State Department contractor, managing a program for Civilian Police International. He attended Atlanta public schools and graduated from Georgia Tech in 1962 with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Management. Taylor is active with the Reserve Officers Association of the United States, the USO Council of Georgia, the Reserve Forces Policy Board, the Society for American Baseball Research, and is chairman of the Marine Corps Coordinating Council of Greater Atlanta. In civilian life, he retired in March 2001 as a 747-400 Captain with Northwest Airlines. The grandson of Russian Jewish immigrants to America, Taylor regards his highest honor is to hold the title of United States Marine.

The Ivan Allen Jr. Legacy Awards honor faculty and students whose lives and work embody the spirit of Georgia Tech alumnus Ivan Allen Jr. As stewards of Mayor Allen’s legacy, the College champions research, teaching, and service that encompass Mayor Allen’s visionary urban policies and his values of social courage, social justice, and ethical action.

The Legacy Awards are made possible by our generous supporters, Col. Stephen C. Hall and Mrs. Pamela Hall.

Jinxia Loo, B.S. History, Technology, and Society

Jinxia Loo is an undergraduate student majoring in History, Technology, and Society and minoring in Computer Science. They are involved in undergraduate research through the School of History and Sociology curriculum under Kate Pride Brown. Beyond academics, Loo dedicates their time to Delta Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc., serving as the vice president of finance and focusing their efforts on advocacy for Asian and Asian American issues, as well as through first-gen student Initiatives as a student assistant and peer mentor. Loo has also served as the president of the Asian American Student Association. They hope their passion for inclusivity and justice reflects in everything they pursue.

Sanghyun Han, Ph.D. International Affairs, Science, and Technology

Sanghyun Han is a Ph.D. student in International Affairs, Science, and Technology at Georgia Tech, focusing on emerging technology, statecraft, international security, and political economy. He co-founded the STAIR (Science, Technology, and International Relations) workshop at Georgia Tech’s Nunn School and was a research assistant at the Center for International Strategy, Technology, and Policy. He was part of the inaugural CSIS Korea Chair’s NextGen Young Leaders program and received the Korea Foundation Global Challenger Fellowship. He has worked with organizations including the Atlantic Council, National Bureau of Asian Research, Center for Foreign Policy Strategy, Institute of International Studies, and East Asia Foundation. Sanghyun holds an M.A. in International Relations from Seoul National University and a B.A. in International Studies from the Catholic University of Korea.

Janet Murray, Professor, School of Literature, Media, and Communication

Janet Murray is a pioneer researcher and teacher in the fields of women’s studies, digital humanities, interaction design, and game studies. Her focus throughout her career has been on how changes in cultural narrative can expand our understanding of what it means to be human. Her best-known work is Hamlet on the Holodeck: The Future of Narrative in Cyberspace, re-released in 2017 by MIT Press in a 20th anniversary updated edition. Her current research includes the Pickrick Project, an augmented reality reconstruction of a series of Civil Rights confrontations on what is now part of the Georgia Tech campus, and a book-length survey of magical thinking about computers including  current claims about the “metaverse” and consciousness in “super-intelligences.”

The Dean’s Appreciation Award signals the importance of teaching, research, and service in the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts and the value of an educational experience informed by the ideals of Mayor Ivan Allen Jr. The award honors individuals associated with the College who have made extraordinary contributions to its advancement, reputation, and mission. Recipients of the award, through their affiliation, work, or witness, have become notable members of the Ivan Allen College community.

Amy Phuong is vice president of government relations for the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena. Prior to joining the Hawks, Phuong spent nearly a decade in public service; serving as Atlanta’s Parks and Recreation Commissioner and its first Chief Service Officer. Phuong has volunteered on numerous boards, including Georgia Tech Alumni Association, Ivan Allen College Advisory Board, Sam Nunn School of International Affairs, Trust for Public Land, Food Well Alliance, Multi-Agency Alliance for Children, Chattahoochee NOW, LISC Atlanta, Atlanta BeltLine Partnership, Propel ATL, Hands On Atlanta, Outstanding Atlanta, Children’s Museum, and Dad’s Garage. Phuong was honored as “Atlanta’s 500” (2025—2020), “40 Under 40” by the Atlanta Business Chronicle and Georgia Tech, and “Inspiring Women” by the Atlanta Dream. She holds a B.S. in International Affairs and an MBA from Georgia Tech.  She served as student body president in her undergraduate senior year.