![The new faculty tour crosses the Walnut Street Bridge. Photo by Angela Foster.](https://i0.wp.com/blog.utc.edu/news/files/2024/08/New-FacultyTour-24-6207.jpg?resize=880%2C573&ssl=1)
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.
“We focused the trip on ‘Chattanooga as Classroom,'” said Dr. Chris Johnson, senior instructional designer in the Walker Center for Teaching and Learning, and co-facilitator of the tour. “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.