Humans and animals have lived side by side for tens of thousands of years, but we’ve only begun to scratch the surface in understanding our fellow inhabitants of Earth. Studying the ways animals behave, move, feed, breed, create communities and interact with their environments can allow us to access deeper insights into our world—ideas applicable to biomechanics, health, nutrition, neuroscience and so
much more.
Pet owners, of course, already know how much animals benefit us by sharing our homes and lives. Georgia Tech has a special relationship with the animal world, with creatures like Sideways the dog and Stumpy’s bear being a big part of our campus lore.
In this issue, we take a look at the relationship between humans and animals. We’ll meet alumni and students deeply involved in animal husbandry, training and care, such as Tech alumna and veterinarian Linda Ellington (pg. 50). We’ll take a look at some groundbreaking animal-related research efforts underway at Tech, including a world-spanning effort to use certain species of fish to save endangered coral reefs (pg. 14). And we’ll explore the long tradition of Tech students sneaking pets into campus dorm rooms, rules be damned (pg. 18).
I hope you enjoy this special animal-themed issue of the Alumni Magazine. Now, if you’ll excuse me, a certain husky needs a walk.
Joseph P. Irwin, IM 80
President & CEO
Georgia Tech Alumni Association
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