Two Long-Term Nunn School Faculty Retire
Published 09/19/2024 - Peter Brecke, Seymour E. Goodman, Cheryl Leggon, and David Shook retired from the Ivan Allen College this summer after a combined 113 years of service to the Institute. Their teaching, research, and service work broadly impacted the IAC community, and their presence at the College will be missed.
Read more about the faculty members' long careers and legacies below.
Peter Brecke
Associate Professor
Sam Nunn School of International Affairs
Associate Professor Peter Brecke’s Georgia Tech career spanned five decades, during which he worked on myriad research projects, including historical data science, social global modeling, computer-aided conflict early warning systems, a taxonomy of conflict, the empirical origins of democracy, and creation of a novel and deeply historical database of international trade.
Brecke was the author of numerous articles and research reports on the computer simulation of worldwide political and economic developments, and war and reconciliation, as well as early warning of conflicts.
His mentorship and his commitment to integrating diverse fields of study enriched the academic environment, providing students with new and evolving tools to tackle complex global challenges, said Nunn School Chair Adam N. Stulberg.
"Peter was a pillar of interdisciplinary innovation and a stalwart for infusing new tools into cutting-edge research and education,” Stulberg said. “He was an invaluable colleague who wore many hats during his long and productive career. Given his many contributions to our school, students across the Institute and Georgia Tech writ large will definitely miss Peter," Stulberg said.
Seymour E. Goodman
Regent’s Professor
Sam Nunn School of International Affairs
Regent's Professor Seymour E. Goodman had a profoundly impactful career at Georgia Tech, especially in international affairs and computing.
Goodman joined Georgia Tech in 2000 and worked extensively on issues related to information technologies and related public policy and societal issues, as well as technological developments and their influence on the conduct and outcomes of large-scale conflicts. One of the final assignments of his career was helping lead development of the curriculum for Georgia Tech's School of Cybersecurity and Privacy.
The author of more than 150 publications, Goodman made significant contributions to the understanding of technology's role in global security and national policy, said Nunn School Chair Adam N. Stulberg.
"Sy Goodman’s work exemplified the best of Georgia Tech’s commitment to interdisciplinary excellence," Stulberg said. "His research into global technology policy, critical infrastructure and societal resilience, and cybersecurity has been monumental across our campus, leaving a legacy that will be felt for years to come."