In Memoriam: Bernie Marcus, Civic Leader and Philanthropist

Bernie Marcus, a visionary entrepreneur, philanthropist, and honorary alumnus whose financial gifts have had a transformative impact at Georgia Tech and the Atlanta community, has died.

“The Georgia Tech community mourns the passing of Bernie Marcus,” President Ángel Cabrera said. “His passion for health science and technology, coupled with his confidence in our research vision, has helped solidify Georgia Tech’s reputation in fields such as stem cell bioengineering, nanotechnology, and cancer research, as well as student innovation and entrepreneurship. His philanthropic legacy will continue to bolster the Atlanta community for generations to come.”

Marcus, co-founder of The Home Depot, was a passionate supporter of education, research, and innovation. Over nearly two decades, The Marcus Foundation provided strategic and significant support to Georgia Tech. His most visible contributions are the Marcus Nanotechnology Building, a state-of-the-art facility that features the largest cleanroom laboratory dedicated to the fabrication and assembly of biomedical and semiconductor devices in the Southeast, and the Marcus Center for Therapeutic Cell Characterization and Manufacturing, which has been pivotal in advancing the manufacturing process of cellular medicines, making them more accessible and affordable.

His support also extended to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship among students. The CREATE-X initiative, backed by an investment from The Marcus Foundation, has empowered over 17,000 students to launch more than 500 startups, powered Georgia Tech’s startup culture, and inspired entrepreneurial engagement both nationally and internationally.

In recognition of his profound impact, Marcus was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Philosophy degree by Georgia Tech in December 2015. This honor acknowledged his revolutionary contributions to the home improvement retail industry, his transformative philanthropy, and his advancement of Georgia Tech’s research enterprise.