Forty new faculty members, including senior vice president for academic affairs S. Jack Hu, embarked on the University of Georgia's 35th annual tour of the state on Monday, Aug. 5.
Tour participants, who represent 18 university departments, will pass through 16 cities in 41 of Georgia’s 159 counties by Friday afternoon, Aug. 9.
Destinations include Amicalola State Park in north Georgia, the State Capitol and National Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta, Pinewood Studios in Fayetteville, the UGA Griffin and Tifton campuses and more. On the coast, the tour will stop at the Pin Point Heritage Museum, UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, Gulfstream Aerospace and the Georgia Ports Authority.
“Our new faculty always learn something about Georgia on this tour that they didn’t know before coming to UGA,” said Jennifer Frum, vice president for public service and outreach. “Many discover similarities in their teaching and research, which can lead to great interdisciplinary partnerships.”
New faculty members will learn about Georgia history, culture, demographics and economic drivers at each stop. Along the way, they’re encouraged to look for opportunities to use their teaching and research to address challenges across the state.
“Over the years, this tour has provided opportunities for our faculty and students to take their academic knowledge into communities and apply it to address a real-world situation,” UGA President Jere Morehead said. “Participants on the tour come back to campus with a solid understanding of UGA’s role as the state’s land-grant and sea-grant mission.”