It is in this spirit that The Whistle presents the 1999 Year in Review. Although we know we cannot recognize everyone, we hope that the sampling on the following pages pays tribute to all. While the afterglow of the holidays and the excitement of a new century linger for a few more days, it's a good time to encapsulate some of what made this university special during the last year of the 20th century. Students make a difference As with everything here, students come first. This year, there were more of them than ever, as Tech's popularity continues to climb among almost all demographic groups and regions.
Diversity is a perpetual goal, and the numbers of females and non-white students rose again.
Total enrollment in the fall of '99 reached another record of 13,959 and kept Tech on track to meet the University System of Georgia's enrollment targets. We increased enrollments despite making the conversion to semesters, something no other school in the University System was able to do. Partially in response to climbing numbers, Tech took steps to improve the sense of community and ease the transition from high school to college by creating a pilot program in learning communities. Our students reflected a nationwide trend toward community service with the third annual TEAM Buzz, a record-breaking effort to improve the lives of people less fortunate throughout the metro Atlanta area. Nearly 2,000 students, faculty and staff volunteered at soup kitchens, nursing homes, community development projects and homeless shelters.