Ernest "Ernie" Scheller Jr. graduated from Georgia Tech in 1952 with a bachelor's degree in Industrial Management. Mr. Scheller gave a $50 million gift that led to the renaming of the business school from the Georgia Tech College of Management to the Scheller College of Business in 2012.
In the fall of 2009, an anonymous donor gave $25 million to the school, $20 million of which was a dollar-for-dollar challenge grant designed to inspire other donors. The man behind the gift was a closely guarded secret until summer 2012, as the challenge grant edged closer to completion. Then suddenly, the news broke. With an additional $25 million commitment, the College gained its Scheller name. Furthermore, the $20 million challenge grant was completed in early 2013, tripling the College's endowment through the creation of faculty chairs and professorships, student scholarships and fellowships, and other opportunities.