Georgia Tech president Wayne Clough, the first alumnus to serve as head of the institute, will leave Tech to serve as Secretary of the embattled Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., officials announced Saturday.

Clough has been president of Georgia Tech since 1994 and has overseen dramatic changes at the school. During Clough's tenure, Tech has completed more than $900 million in construction projects. Research dollars have increased from $212 million to $425 million and the school has raised more than $1 billion in private gifts.

W.A. Bridges Jr./AJC file (ENLARGE)

Georgia Tech president Wayne Clough, shown here at 2005 graduation ceremonies, was the first alumnus to lead the university.

Clough, a civil engineer by trade, will now head the world's largest museum complex and research organization composed of 19 museums, nine research centers and the National Zoo.

He has often been in the national spotlight, serving on the National Science Board and the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology.

He will begin his job on July 1.

Roger Sant, chairman of the Board of Regents, said that Clough will usher in a new era at the Smithsonian, "bringing a unique combination of academic achievement, talent, leadership skills and experience in public service, science, management and development."

"In the 14 years Dr. Clough led Georgia Tech, he took the school from a very good regional engineering school to a great international university," he said at a press conference.

The troubled museum complex has been searching for a new leader since the former secretary, Lawrence Small, stepped down amid criticism in March of 2007. Small led the institution for seven years and was accused of mishandling Smithsonian funds, allegedly to support a lavish lifestyle.

Clough, who was in Washington on Saturday for the 11 a.m. announcement, said he looked forward to heading the national institution.

"This is a treasure for our country and it needs to more forward that we can make the most for our nation," he said.

Gary Schuster, the provost at Georgia Tech, called Clough "one of the greatest presidents in Georgia Tech's history."

"His leadership and vision have been responsible for the unprecedented and revolutionary advance in Georgia Tech's programs and stature during his tenure," Schuster said in a statement. "Although we are very sorry to see him depart, we wish him the best in his new endeavor. In the meantime, we will focus on finding a new president who can continue Georgia Tech's remarkable trajectory as we take our place among the truly best universities in the world."

Clough is the second president of a major Atlanta university to announce his departure in recent months. Carl Patton, president of Georgia State University, announced in November that he will retire this summer after 16 years at the helm.