Dr. Bryan Hampton and Dr. Christopher Stuart were recently honored with the dedication of model ships created by Frank Hill, a longtime lover of UTC. Hill has been associated with the University for forty seven years; thirty five years as an adjunct professor and twelve years as a student, auditing classes primarily in the humanities.
“I can’t think of a better way to christen the new school year than with this celebration of the great teaching that goes on at UTC, a fine campus made up of upstanding faculty and excited students,” said Dr. Joe Wilferth, Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, who presided over the dedication.
Hill dedicated a model of Half Moon, the Dutch ship sailed by Henry Hudson during his exploration, “To my friend and teacher, Dr. Bryan Hampton, who runs a tight ship.”
Hampton, who taught Hill in classes such as Survey of British Literature and Shakespeare, said, “Frank is among my best students. It’s really a testament to this lifelong learning here.”
To Stuart, who taught Hill in Survey of American Literature, Hill dedicated a model of Newsboy, a trading ship that undertook the triangular trade route.
“I am truly humbled. It’s just amazing the work that he’s done. It blows my mind. Frank was a complete pleasure in the classroom,” said Stuart.
Hill graduated with his Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering in 1953 and moved to Chattanooga in 1957. He retired in 1999 and was given his first ship building kit as a gift from his wife, Betty Sue.
“I’m a bit sad to realize that my time is winding down so fast at UTC. I have been associated with UTC for 47 years, teaching and taking classes. I am so thankful for the way UTC has allowed me to audit classes. I have come to love UTC and its people,” said Hill.
Hill has dedicated two other model ships to UTC faculty: one to Dr. Craig Lane, which is located in Brock Hall, and one to Dr. Gavin Townsend, which is located in the Fine Arts Center. Eight of his other completed ships are located in the Signal Mountain Library.
