Members of the new faculty tour cross the Walnut Street Bridge. Photo by Angela Foster.
On Wednesday, Aug. 14, new faculty members at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga embarked on a bus tour, exploring various historical Chattanooga landmarks.
The tour allowed the faculty to learn about the place they now call home while discovering the educational opportunities offered by Chattanooga.
The day began with a ride on the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway and a walk to Point Park Battlefield, where UTC Experiential Learning Coordinator Bengt Carlson shared a topographical, geographical and historical overview of Chattanooga and the Tennessee River region.
Faculty members also got the opportunity to walk across the Walnut Street Bridge to the Passage—a landmark that marks the beginning of the Trail of Tears—with a presentation on the Ed Johnson project. After, they visited the Edney Building to discuss Chattanooga’s renaissance and future.
Dr. Sainand Jadhav, a participant of the tour, is joining UTC as a mechanical engineering lecturer.
It was Jadhav’s first time exploring downtown Chattanooga.
“One of the most interesting things I learned during the tour was about the city’s rich history and its strong ties to both industry and the arts,” Jadhav said. “I was particularly fascinated by the story of how the city has transformed over the years, especially the revitalization of the downtown area.”
He said that what he learned from the tour will help him this upcoming semester and with his new life in Chattanooga.
“What I learned from the tour will definitely enhance my connection with the local community, which I believe is crucial for creating relevant and engaging course material,” he said. “Understanding the city’s economic and cultural landscape will help me bring real-world examples into the classroom.
“Additionally, knowing more about the city’s amenities and opportunities will help me settle in and make the most of my time here.”
Dr. Chris Johnson, a senior instructional designer in the Walker Center for Teaching and Learning, was a co-facilitator of the tour.
“We focused the trip on ‘Chattanooga as Classroom,'” Johnson said. “All the amazing new and returning faculty who got on the bus made that a reality, as we all learned together from Chattanooga and with each other.
“We are grateful for the support of the Walker Center and Academic Affairs, as well as initial conversations with Bryant Fairley. The experience came together beautifully.”
Other speakers included Vice Provost for Academic Outreach Shewanee Howard-Baptiste, Assistant Provost for Student Success Delight Yokely, Associate Professor and Associate Department Head Susan Eckelmann, Vice Chancellor for Research Reinhold Mann and Vice Chancellor of Advancement Kim White.
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Photo gallery by Angela Foster
