Georgia Institute of Technology. Archives and Records Management

The Georgia Tech Army ROTC began in 1917 with two authorized units, the Infantry and Coast Artillery. Two years later, a Signal Corp was established, and Air Service, Motor Transport, and Ordnance units were added by 1921. As of 2009, more than 7,000 lieutenants have received their commission from the Yellow Jacket Battalion. Georgia Tech serves as the headquarters and host institution for the Atlanta area. Students from Emory University, Agnes Scott College, Kennesaw State University, Southern Polytechnic State University, and DeVry University are able to enroll in the Georgia Tech ROTC. Georgia Tech alumni have served in all American campaigns since World War II.

The first two graduates of the Georgia School of Technology, George C. Crawford and Henry L. Smith, finished their degrees in 1890. Eight students graduated in the following year, eighteen in 1892, eleven in 1893, nine in 1894, and twelve in 1895. All of these early graduates received degrees in Mechanical Engineering. Printed programs for Commencement Day ceremonies appeared in the Georgia Tech Bulletin beginning with the program for June 1895. Commencement ceremonies were traditionally held in June. Following World War II the number of full-time students had increased to 5,000. After some declines in enrollment in the late 1960s and early 1970s, increases occurred again, reaching 11,393 students in 1982. By 2001, the total number of graduate and undergraduate students had reached 15,576. Georgia Tech awarded 2,035 bachelor's degrees, 1,080 master's degrees, and 255 doctorates in that year.

Graduation exercises at the Georgia School of Technology took place every June during Georgia Tech's early years. The ceremony apparently took place on the Georgia Tech campus until about 1902. From 1902 to 1916 the ceremonies were held at the Grand Opera House in Atlanta. Beginning in about 1970, graduation ceremonies began taking place three times a year, and in 1972 ceremonies began being held at the conclusion of every quarter. Ceremonies took place on the Georgia Tech campus in 1970, at the Alexander Memorial Coliseum. When Tech converted to the semester system in the fall of 1999, graduation ceremonies began being held in May, August, and December. As of 2009, the ceremonies continue to be held at a location on the Georgia Tech campus (frequently the Ferst Center for the Arts or the Alexander Memorial Coliseum). Because of the number of graduates, sometimes the spring graduations for masters and undergraduate degrees are held at a larger location such as the Georgia Dome.

Robert Lee ("Bobby") Dodd (1908-1988) served as head football coach at Georgia Tech from 1945 through 1966, and Athletic Director from 1950-1976. In 1988, the name "Bobby Dodd Stadium" was added to Georgia Tech's Grant Field.

When the Georgia School of Technology first opened its doors in 1888, classes were held in two buildings located on nine acres of land in midtown Atlanta. That first year, 129 students enrolled. Enrollment grew to more than 1000 by 1918, and nearly 6000 by the 1944-1945 school year. This type of growth prompted the continual need for more space and additional buildings. By 1960, approximately 65 buildings on 153 acres comprised the Georgia Tech campus which served about 6700 students. In 2008, the Atlanta campus encompasses 400 acres and approximately 150 buildings with a student enrollment of more than 18,000. The frequent changes in the physical layout, including new buildings, street closures, and building designations, require campus maps to be revised often.

The Georgia Tech Glee Club is the oldest student organization at Georgia Tech and is the oldest college Glee Club in the Southeast. It was founded in 1906 and has a rich tradition of singing, which includes national and international tours, as well as radio and television broadcasts and recordings. Music varies and includes works in the standard repertoire, vocal jazz, a cappella standards, popular music and barbershop.