George P. Burdell

Last updated
Burdell's, a store in Georgia Tech's student center Burdell's Store.jpg
Burdell's, a store in Georgia Tech's student center

George P. Burdell is a fictitious student officially enrolled at Georgia Tech in 1927 as a practical joke. Since then, he has supposedly received all undergraduate degrees offered by Georgia Tech, served in the military, gotten married, and served on Mad Magazine's Board of Directors, among other accomplishments.

Contents

At one point, Burdell had led the online poll for Time 's 2001 Person of the Year award. [1] He has evolved into an important and notorious campus tradition; all Georgia Tech students learn about him at orientation. [2]

History

Origins

George P. Burdell was created by William Edgar "Ed" Smith (BS in Ceramic Engineering) in 1927. Smith conceived the idea for Burdell when he mistakenly received two Georgia Tech enrollment forms. [3] [4] 50 years later, in a 1977 Atlanta newspaper interview, Smith said that he originally intended to enroll his Academy of Richmond County principal, George P. Butler, but instead changed the last name to Burdell, the maiden name of his best friend's mother. [3] [5]

After enrolling him, Smith signed Burdell up for all the same classes he had. With the help of friends, Smith would do all schoolwork twice, changing it slightly to avoid professors catching his sham. When he had a test, he would take it twice and then turn it in under both names. [6] By 1930, the school had awarded Burdell a bachelor's degree, [3] and a few years later awarded the fictitious student a master's degree. [3] The college listed him as an official alumnus, even though his name has remained on the active student rolls. [7] In 1930, the ANAK Society, Georgia Tech's oldest secret society, offered Burdell membership. [8]

An early prank using Burdell's name came after someone was snubbed by a fraternity he had intended to join. "That irritated [him]. He ordered a truckload of furniture to be delivered C.O.D. to that fraternity. Of course, the order was made by George P. Burdell." [9]

World War II

During World War II, service members continued the hoax, with Burdell's name appearing on various fronts. For example, he was listed on the flight crew of a B-17 bomber, flying 12 missions over Europe with the 8th Air Force in England, until a Georgia Tech graduate became the new operations officer, recognized the name on the flight log, and ended the charade. [5]

Postwar

In 1958, members of the senior class of Agnes Scott College announced the wedding engagement of Burdell and fictional Agnes Scott student Ramona Cartwright in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution . [10] The 50th wedding anniversary of "Mr. and Mrs. George P. Burdell from Atlanta" was acknowledged on the September 23, 2006 broadcast of A Prairie Home Companion . [11] A recording can be found at a time of 1:13:55.

To this day, George P. Burdell is listed as a letterman in the official media guides of two Tech sports: from 1928 to 1930 in football [12] and 1956 to 1958 in basketball. [13] [14] In 1969, Georgia Tech computerized its class registration, believing it had successfully found a way to keep students from registering Burdell for class that semester. As it turned out, hackers registered him for every class at the school that quarter, over 3,000 credit hours. [5] He was subsequently re-enrolled several times, including in 1975 and 1980. [7]

George P. Burdell is listed as Georgia Tech Swimming & Diving's team captain of 1988 on their record board, even though there was no team that year after the demolition of the Heisman Gym. [15]

The publishers of Mad magazine listed Burdell as a member of its board of directors from 1969 until 1981. [2] In 1991, a check from Kraft Foods bore the signature "George P. Burdell". [16] When Time magazine was attempting to select their Person of the Year for 2001, George Burdell was the leading candidate (holding at least 57 percent of the votes) until the magazine removed him from the running. [1] [2]

WREK, [17] the Georgia Tech student radio station, lists him as a staff member, and he is credited for playing baritone on the 1995 album Jesus Christ Superstar: A Resurrection, which was made in Atlanta by musicians from the local alternative rock scene. [18] In 2000, Burdell was named an alternate delegate to the Democratic National Convention from Georgia. [19] Burdell was credited as a member of the choir of the 2006 album There is a Place. [20]

George's fictitious son, George P. Burdell Jr., has been a proctor for several classes at Georgia Tech. [21]

Modern era

With the introduction of Georgia Tech Online Master of Science in Computer Science in 2013, George P. Burdell has been a presence in its social media, with students attempting to stake a claim of his legacy in Reddit.

On November 27, 2014, George P. Burdell allegedly hacked into the University of Georgia's online master calendar to post a new event titled "Get Ass Kicked by GT" during the time of the annual Georgia Tech football game . [22] [23] This prank was meant to celebrate the 100-year-old tradition of Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate. While the author of the new calendar event was marked as George P. Burdell, undergraduate Computer Engineering student Ryan Pickren was ultimately arrested and indicted for the crime. [24]

During a speech made by US President Barack Obama held at Georgia Tech in the McCamish Pavilion on March 10, 2015, [25] the president jokingly indicated that he was supposed to be introduced by George P. Burdell, but no one could find him. [26] [27] [28] [29] [30]

On June 25, 2019, George P. Burdell's name flew engraved on the Prox-1 satellite mission designed and built by the Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering at Georgia Tech. His name is listed along with all the other students who worked on the mission. The satellite was part of the Space Test Program 2 (STP-2) launch on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy Rocket. [31]

Legacy

Burdell has been a campus icon at Georgia Tech. [32] [33] Georgia Tech students or alumni have often used the name as an alias when they do not want to disclose their real name. [34] In 2006, there was a store in Georgia Tech's student center named Burdell's. [35]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WREK</span> Radio station at the Georgia Institute of Technology

WREK is the radio station staffed by the students of the Georgia Institute of Technology. It is also located on channel 17 on the Georgia Tech cable TV network, GTCN. Starting as a 10-watt class D, WREK currently broadcasts a 100,000-watt ERP signal throughout the Atlanta metropolitan area, making it among the ten highest-powered college radio stations in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">G. Wayne Clough</span> President Emeritus of the Georgia Institute of Technology (born 1941)

Gerald Wayne Clough is an American civil engineer and educator who is President Emeritus of the Georgia Institute of Technology and former Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. A graduate of Georgia Tech in civil engineering, he was the first alumnus to serve as President of the Institute.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buzz (mascot)</span> One of the two official mascots of the Georgia Institute of Technology

Buzz is the current official mascot of the Georgia Institute of Technology. Buzz is usually represented as a stylized yellowjacket with yellow-and-black fur, white wings, a yellow head, and antennae. Buzz is almost never drawn with six legs, but rather with arms, legs, hands and feet, like a human. Invented in 1972 and restyled in 1979, Buzz reflects the tradition of referring to Georgia Tech students as "Yellow Jackets." Buzz is also one of Georgia Tech's emblems and trademarks, one that they defended in a 1998 legal conflict with the Salt Lake Buzz.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ramblin' Wreck</span> One of two official mascots of the Georgia Institute of Technology

The Ramblin' Wreck from Georgia Tech is the 1930 Ford Model A Sport coupe that serves as the official mascot of the student body at the Georgia Institute of Technology. The Wreck is present at all major sporting events and student body functions. Its most noticeable role is leading the football team into Bobby Dodd Stadium at Historic Grant Field, a duty which the Reck has performed since 1961. The Ramblin' Reck is mechanically and financially maintained on campus by students in Ramblin' Reck Club.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Georgia Tech Cable Network</span> TV provider in Atlanta, Georgia, USA

The Georgia Tech Cable Network (GTCN) is the on-campus television provider of the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Established in 1995, GTCN serves the on-campus buildings, especially Georgia Tech Housing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tech Tower</span> Historic building of the Georgia Institute of Technology

The Lettie Pate Whitehead Evans Administration Building, commonly known as Tech Tower, is a historic building and focal point of the central campus of the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Traditions of the Georgia Institute of Technology</span> Aspect of Georgia Tech culture

Numerous Georgia Tech legends and traditions have been established since the school's opening in 1888, some of which have persisted for decades. Over time, the school has grown from a trade school into a large research university, and the traditions reflect that heritage. One of the cherished holdovers from Tech's early years, a steam whistle blows every weekday at various times to mark the changing of classes. It's for this reason that the faculty newspaper is named The Whistle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of the Georgia Institute of Technology</span>

The history of the Georgia Institute of Technology can be traced back to Reconstruction-era plans to develop the industrial base of the Southern United States. Founded on October 13, 1885, in Atlanta as the Georgia School of Technology, the university opened in 1888 after the construction of Tech Tower and a shop building and only offered one degree in mechanical engineering. By 1901, degrees in electrical, civil, textile, and chemical engineering were also offered. In 1948, the name was changed to the Georgia Institute of Technology to reflect its evolution from an engineering school to a full technical institute and research university.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clark Howell</span> American politician

Clark Howell was a Pulitzer Prize winning American newspaper man and politician from the state of Georgia. For fifty-three years, he was editorial executive and owner of The Atlanta Constitution.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Klaus</span> American technology entrepreneur (born 1973)

Christopher W. Klaus is an American technology entrepreneur. He was founder and CTO of Internet Security Systems (ISS), a company which he started in the early 1990s, and then sold to IBM in 2006 for $1.3B.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WGKA</span> Talk radio station in Atlanta

WGKA branded AM 920 The Answer is a commercial conservative talk radio station licensed to Atlanta, Georgia, serving primarily the Atlanta metropolitan area. Currently owned by Salem Media Group, WGKA serves as the Atlanta affiliate for the Salem Radio Network and the Clemson Tigers football radio network. WGKA's studios are located on Peachtree Street in Atlanta, while its transmitter is located near the Morningside Nature Preserve.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Georgia Tech Savannah</span> Branch campus of Georgia Tech, USA

Georgia Tech Savannah is a satellite campus of the Atlanta-based Georgia Institute of Technology. It is located in Savannah, Georgia, near Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport. The campus is the institute's hub for professional and continuing education and is home to the regional offices of the Georgia Tech Enterprise Innovation Institute, the Savannah Advanced Technology Development Center, and the Georgia Logistics Innovation Center.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket Marching Band</span> Marching band of the Georgia Institute of Technology

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket Marching Band is the official marching band of the Georgia Institute of Technology. Founded in 1908 by a group of 14 students, the Georgia Tech Band is one of the school's oldest student organizations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Georgia Tech Glee Club</span> Musical artist

The Georgia Tech Glee Club is an a cappella singing group founded in 1906 at the Georgia Institute of Technology. It is a student-run glee club currently directed by Dr. Erika Tazawa as of 2024. The Glee Club sings many original arrangements and compositions arranged by former director Dr. Jerry Ulrich and by members of the group, as well as other pop music and music genres.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glen P. Robinson</span> American Founder of Scientific Atlanta

Glen Parmelee Robinson, Jr., called the "father of high-tech industry in Georgia", was an American businessman and founder of Scientific Atlanta, formerly a subsidiary of Cisco Systems. Robinson was the first employee of Scientific Atlanta, where he remained CEO then Chairman of the company until he retired.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Georgia Tech</span> Public university in Atlanta, Georgia, US

The Georgia Institute of Technology is a public research university and institute of technology in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Established in 1885, it has the largest student enrollment of the University System of Georgia institutions and satellite campuses in Savannah, Georgia and Metz, France.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2015–16 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets women's basketball team</span> Intercollegiate basketball season

The 2015–16 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets women's basketball team represented Georgia Institute of Technology during the 2015–16 NCAA Division I women's basketball season. Returning as head coach was MaChelle Joseph entering her 13th season. The team played its home games at Hank McCamish Pavilion in Atlanta, Georgia as members of the Atlantic Coast Conference. They finished the season 20–13, 8–8 in ACC play to finish in a tie for seventh place. They advanced to the quarterfinals of the ACC women's tournament, where they lost to Louisville. They were invited to the Women's National Invitation Tournament, where they defeated Mercer in the first round before losing to Tulane in the second round.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016–17 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets women's basketball team</span> Intercollegiate basketball season

The 2016–17 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets women's basketball team represented Georgia Institute of Technology during the 2016–17 NCAA Division I women's basketball season. Returning as head coach is MaChelle Joseph entering her 14th season. The team played their home games at Hank McCamish Pavilion in Atlanta, Georgia as members of the Atlantic Coast Conference. They finished the season 22–15, 5–11 in ACC play to finish in tenth place. They advanced to the second round of the ACC women's tournament where they lost to Miami (FL). They were invited to the Women's National Invitation Tournament where they advanced to the championship game where they lost to Michigan.

References

  1. 1 2 "George P. Burdell for Time's Person of the Year". BUZZwords. Georgia Tech Alumni Association. 2002-01-02. Archived from the original on 2013-10-29. Retrieved 2007-03-05.
  2. 1 2 3 Amick, Daniel (2004-08-20). "George P. Burdell: the legend lives on" (PDF). The Technique . Retrieved 2012-03-16.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Edwards, Pat (2000-02-25). "George P. Burdell-the man, the myth, well, the myth". The Technique . Archived from the original on 2014-05-18. Retrieved 2014-05-17.
  4. ↑ Schneider, Caitlin (2015-09-05), "Meet the Georgia Tech grad who never existed", Mental Floss, MSN, retrieved 2015-09-05
  5. 1 2 3 "The TBook: George P. Burdell". Archived from the original on 2005-10-31. Retrieved 2007-03-02.
  6. ↑ "Traditions". RamblinWreck.com. Georgia Tech Athletic Association. Archived from the original on 2007-12-26. Retrieved 2007-03-02.
  7. 1 2 "George P. Burdell: A student of mystery, a student of legend—the forever student remains alive somewhere at Tech". Stay Informed. Spring 1998. Archived from the original on 2007-12-18. Retrieved 2007-03-02.
  8. ↑ "ANAK Graduates, 1930-1939". The ANAK Society. Archived from the original on 2007-12-24. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
  9. ↑ Dunn, John (Winter 1996). "Burdell's Pal: Colonel Drennon to receive Alumni Distinguished Service Award". Tech Topics. Archived from the original on 2007-12-18. Retrieved 2007-03-02.
  10. ↑ "Agnes Scott - Student Life - Traditions". Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2007-03-02.
  11. ↑ "A Prairie Home Companion for September 23, 2006". American Public Media. 2007-09-23. Retrieved 2007-03-02.
  12. ↑ "All-Time Letterwinners" (PDF). Georgia Tech Football 2016 Media Guide. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. p. 136. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 24, 2017. Retrieved March 24, 2017.
  13. ↑ "Georgia Tech Basketball History". Georgia Tech Basketball Yearbook. 2002.
  14. ↑ "Tech Letterwinners" (PDF). 2017–18 Georgia Tech Basketball Information Guide. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. p. 92. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 6, 2018. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
  15. ↑ "GTSD record board". 22 March 2016. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
  16. ↑ Goettling, Gary (Winter 1991). "Isn't that George on the Horn?". Technotes. Georgia Tech Alumni Association. Archived from the original on 2011-07-26. Retrieved 2010-11-17.
  17. ↑ "WREK website staff listing". WREK. 6 June 2011. Retrieved 2012-05-30.
  18. ↑ Jesus Christ Superstar: A Resurrection, bn.com. Retrieved 5-30-2012
  19. ↑ "Index to Politicians: Burcham to Burdette". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved 2007-03-02.
  20. ↑ "There Is a Place". bn.com. Retrieved 2012-05-30.
  21. ↑ "Burdell Jr.'s course surveys". SGA Course Critique. Archived from the original on January 3, 2008. Retrieved 2007-03-02.
  22. ↑ "Screenshot of Hacked UGA Calendar" . Retrieved April 13, 2020.
  23. ↑ "How Pranking An Online Calendar Almost Sent This Student To Prison". 18 March 2019. Retrieved April 13, 2020.
  24. ↑ "Georgia Tech student hacks Georgia's computers, gets pretrial diversion". 26 February 2015. Retrieved April 13, 2020.
  25. ↑ "President's Schedule - March 10, 2015". whitehouse.gov . Retrieved 2015-03-10– via National Archives.
  26. ↑ "Remarks by the President Announcing Student Aid Bill of Rights". whitehouse.gov . 10 March 2015. Retrieved 2015-03-10– via National Archives.
  27. ↑ "Full remarks from President Obama's Atlanta speech". Archived from the original on 2015-03-11. Retrieved 2015-03-11.
  28. ↑ "#POTUSatGT: Seven Memorable Moments from President Obama's Speech" . Retrieved 2015-03-11.
  29. ↑ "GT Admission on Twitter" . Retrieved 2015-03-11.
  30. ↑ "Students Pack McCamish for Presidential Pep Talk" . Retrieved 2015-03-11.
  31. ↑ "SpaceX STP-2 Mission". Archived from the original on April 19, 2019. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  32. ↑ Edwards, Pat (2000-09-15). "Faces at Georgia Tech: Profile on George P. Burdell". Technique . Archived from the original on 2007-12-13. Retrieved 2007-02-04.
  33. ↑ Ritz, Anthony (2000-09-22). "Burdell's birthday bash becomes tradition". Technique . Archived from the original on 2007-12-13. Retrieved 2007-02-04.
  34. ↑ Bisher, Furman (2006-02-24). "GT gauntlet thrown down". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . Archived from the original on 2007-06-09. Retrieved 2007-02-04.
  35. ↑ "Georgia Tech Student Center". Georgia Tech. Archived from the original on 2006-09-01. Retrieved 2007-03-02.[ non-primary source needed ]

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.