June 10, 2025
By Chloe Arrington

For the Blevins family, Georgia Tech isn't just a school; it's a shared legacy and a bond built on academic curiosity, perseverance, and faith. This Father's Day, the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering is sharing the story of four mechanical engineers, three sons, two generations, and one proud father whose journey began with a dream and continues through his children.

For Steve Blevins, ME 1985, choosing Georgia Tech wasn’t just about picking a college–it was one of the most influential decisions of his life. What led him to become a Yellow Jacket was a dream to take his career beyond the stars. "I have always been very good at math, and I loved science," Steve recalled. "I had dreamed of becoming an astronaut, and I knew the only route for me to make that possible was through Georgia Tech."

His time at the Institute was filled with unforgettable moments, from lifting weights alongside powerlifting champion Dave Pasanella to conquering the infamous Drownproofing class. The now-retired course was introduced during World War II to prepare students for military service, following high numbers of water-related combat deaths. Simply, it trained students to float for as long as they could, and for most, this was well over 24 hours. Today, it’s hard to imagine a required course with a midterm that involves floating for an hour with hands and feet bound. Grueling? Absolutely. But for Steve, it was a badge of honor.

Yet, it wasn't just academics or athletics that shaped him. His involvement with the campus ministry Cru laid the foundation for a lifelong faith. "Christ is vital to my life, and we need him, even beyond test-taking," he said. That spiritual grounding became a cornerstone he would later pass on to his sons.

His time at Georgia Tech left an indelible mark and instilled a can-do attitude he carries with him to this day. "Never give up and stay the course were hammered into me from my time there," said Steve. "These have played out in great ways since graduation."

Though his career didn't take him into orbit, that didn't keep him from reaching greater heights. Steve took his first-rate education and the life lessons he learned as a Yellow Jacket to grow his career as a successful engineer in several sectors. He now operates an extensive e-commerce system and is helping manage the publishing division of a large-scale non-profit.

That spirit of faith, grit, determination, and Yellow Jacket pride has taken root in his three sons: Tyler, B.S. ME 2017, M.S. ME 2019; Jacob, B.S. ME 2020, M.S. ME 2021; and current undergraduate student Isaac. Each has carved their own path through the Woodruff School in honor of their father.

For eldest son Tyler, a specific dream guided his decision to attend the Institute. "Ever since I decided I wanted to design roller coasters, I knew I wanted to go to Georgia Tech. Not only because it's a great engineering school, but also because my dad went there," he said.

He remembers long hours spent studying in the library and attending events like the Mini 500, which he considers the greatest Georgia Tech tradition.

Tyler is currently designing pediatric care items, including playpens and bassinets. Since graduating, he has had only one regret: "I wish I had the opportunity to take Drownproofing!"

Jacob, associate academic professional in the Woodruff School, admits that his father's path initially guided his own. But mechanical engineering wasn't a given. "I eventually grew into it," he said.

He may have gambled on mechanical engineering, but the decision to attend Georgia Tech was never in question. "I've been cheering for them since I was born. It was always my top college choice," Jacob said. However, pragmatism called for more than one college application. "I almost vomited when I applied to the University of Georgia (UGA) as a backup school," he continued, laughing.

His path led him to a career in academia, but his time at Tech echoed his father's in many ways. "Making fitness and campus ministries a core part of my college experience was heavily motivated by my father's involvement in the Barbell Club and Cru,” he said. “Weightlifting kept me sane during ME 2110!"

Isaac, the youngest, is entering his second year at the Woodruff School. He was drawn to mechanical engineering and design because of his childhood love of Legos, and was raised with the understanding that the only thing less acceptable than skipping college was attending UGA.

Like his father, Isaac has made faith a central part of his college life. He found his spiritual community at Georgia Tech through the Baptist Collegiate Ministry. "Since Cru became such a central part of his experience, I knew I wanted to join a campus ministry," he explained. After witnessing the impact the Institute had on his father and brothers, he’s eager to see where the journey will lead him.

The shared Georgia Tech experience has created a unique camaraderie among the Blevins men. "It means we can yell 'to hell with Georgia' together at the TV during Thanksgiving," Jacob joked.

Tyler is grateful to share the experience with his family. "I have a lot of pride knowing that most of my family has walked the same hallowed campus and shared many parallel experiences," he said.

Isaac agrees: "It’s pretty special knowing the Blevins name has a place in the Woodruff School," he said.

Though the campus has changed over the years, the values they learned as Yellow Jackets remain. As each Blevins moves forward, he carries the strength of their shared legacy.

Looking ahead, the family hopes future generations will continue the tradition. Steve's advice is timeless: "Pray and ask for help from Christ, then start working hard." Jacob offers a practical tip: "Go to office hours. I always tell this to Isaac, but I don't know if he listens." Isaac has already learned the importance of balance: "Keep everything in a healthy medium outside of academics, like spending time with friends and being involved in extracurriculars and clubs."

While their advice may vary, they all agree on one thing: Once a Yellow Jacket, always a Yellow Jacket–and never UGA.