The history of global education at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga begins in 1977, when the Institute for International Studies was established under the administration of Chancellor James Drinnon. The Institute was headed by Professor Merilee Banoun and focused on both international students at UTC and courses of an international nature. Two years later, the Institute for International Studies expanded further with the addition of a dedicated International Studies track of the Humanities Bachelor of Arts Degree. This interdisciplinary program focused on economics, political science, history, and foreign language. The Center for Global Education as it is known today began taking shape in 2016, when the University re-prioritized study abroad opportunities, on-campus ESL programming, and services for international students on campus as part of its 2015-2020 Strategic Plan.
Take a tour of the history via entries from the campus newspaper and yearbook 40+ years ago:
“International Studies Program Announced,” University Echo, 1977 February 11.
Merilee Banoun, Merilee Banoun faculty photograph, 1980 Moccasin yearbook.
