Very strong thanks (save these for the people who helped you the most):

• I would like to express my deepest appreciation to my committee
• I’m deeply indebted to
• I would also like to extend my deepest gratitude to …..
• I’m extremely grateful to
• (Something—my success, the completion of my dissertation) would not have been possible without the support and nurturing of (person).
• I cannot begin to express my thanks to …., who ….

Less strong, but very appreciative:

• I would like to extend my sincere thanks to …/ I must also thank …
• I would like to thank… / I also wish to thank…
• I am also grateful to … / I’d also like to extend my gratitude to …. Many thanks to
• Special thanks to
• Thanks also to …
• Thanks should also go to …
• I very much appreciate…
• Especially/Particularly helpful to me during this time were , , and , who … I also had great pleasure of working with ….
• I cannot leave Georgia Tech without mentioning (person), who. ….

Less strong, but certainly adequate

• I’d like to acknowledge the assistance/help/effort of….
• I gratefully acknowledge the assistance/help/effort of …
• I’d like to recognize the assistance/help/effort that I received from …..

After you thank, say WHY you are thanking them in the following ways:

• Several people/someone played a decisive role in (doing something for you)
• Someone provided you with encouragement and patience throughout the duration of this project
• Someone was instrumental in (doing) something for you… Someone whose help cannot be overestimated….
• Someone extended a great amount of assistance… Someone always supported and nurtured you… Someone never let you down…
• Someone never wavered in their support..

Some adjectives/nouns to describe what these people gave you:

• valuable advice / invaluable contribution / suggestions / experience invaluable insight into (something) relentless/unrelenting/unparalleled support
• profound belief in my work/in my abilities useful/practice/helpful contributions practical suggestions
• helpful advice
• unwavering support/unwavering guidance constructive criticism/advice ingenious/insightful suggestions
• knowledge (extensive knowledge, unparalleled knowledge) patience that cannot be underestimated
• guidance