Georgia Tech Athletics Donor Profile: Claude Petty

 • Alexander-Tharpe Fund Donor Profiles

A Georgia Tech basketball and football season ticket holder for the past 54 years, Claude Petty has seen it all.

"I've seen a lot of great basketball and a lot of mediocre basketball," he said. "I've seen a lot of mediocre football and a lot of great football. Whatever the result, I've always been proud of Georgia Tech."

Petty first became a fan as a youngster growing up in Atlanta. He attended nearby Boys High School, which later merged with Tech High to become Grady High School.

Upon graduating in 1945, he served in the Navy for two years. At that point, he enrolled at Georgia Tech, majoring in electrical engineering.

"I loved it," he stated. "My experience was so blessed because this was in 1946 right after the war. Tech was stressed to the gills with soldiers coming back and going to school on the GI bill. The focus was on learning, getting out, getting a job and taking care of your family. There was a high level of maturity."

As a student, Petty was active in a number of aspects of student life. A member of the Sigma Chi fraternity and the student council, he also was on the golf, cross country and baseball teams.

"At that time, the only real scholarship athletes were football players, a few basketball players and a few baseball players," he recalled. "Coach Dodd wanted the football players to play other sports. So some of us that weren't football players were stuck in the shadows. We'd play until football or basketball season was over, and then we have what we called a 'step-aside.' Those guys would come over, and we'd make room for them. Nevertheless, it was really a great time. If you loved athletics and sports, you had an opportunity then to participate."

After earning his electrical engineering degree in 1950, Petty landed a job as a refinery engineer with Standard Oil in Louisiana.

"It was a great job and a great opportunity," he noted. "It wasn't electrical engineering, but Standard Oil always believed that if you had an engineering degree, you had the ability to think clearly, progressively and positively."

He returned to Atlanta and Georgia Tech in 1956, assuming the role of director of physical plant for the school. He oversaw various aspects of campus operations, including construction, maintenance, grounds, campus security and the power plant.

During his tenure, several significant construction projects were completed, including Alexander Memorial Coliseum and the textile engineering building.

"I enjoyed it a great deal," he said. "I was really pleased with the responsibility since I was only 29 years old. I also taught some courses in electrical engineering and civil engineering, which was interesting and fun."

It was another prominent Georgia Tech alum that lured Petty away. Legendary developer and architect John Portman tapped Petty to run the Atlanta Merchandise Mart in the early 1960's. He served as general manager of the facility for seven years and helped it double in size.

After later working for Cousins Properties as the president of their multi-family housing division, Petty, with his friend Jim Caswell, started their own company, PC Associates, in 1971. Ever since, the firm has developed numerous properties around Atlanta and other parts of the southeast. He's still very active in his company day-to-day, in addition to spending time with his wife, Beth, three children, two stepchildren and grandchildren.

Over the years, Petty has shared his success and expertise with Georgia Tech. He was a major force behind the construction of the Bill Moore Student Success Center, and he's been a significant contributor to the Building a Competitive Advantage initiative that has funded the expansion of Bobby Dodd Stadium and the reconstruction of Chandler stadium.

A Golden Life member of the Alexander-Tharpe Fund, Petty has served on the fund's board of trustees, as well as the Alumni Association's board of trustees.

"Coach Dodd was so good to me that I've always seen my participation and support as payback," explained Petty. "I try to tell the presidents that for the Tech graduate far removed from Atlanta, we may have "world class" academics, but the only continuing relationship the graduate has is seeing Georgia Tech playing in a post season game or tournament.

"There should always be an emphasis on quality for the athletics program. That's what Georgia Tech graduates all over this country can relate to easily. They don't get back to the campus for academic programs, but they do have pride in the school and it's accomplishments. Pursuit of excellence in athletics matches the pursuit of excellence in academics…I'm proud of that!"