Athens, Ga. – Forty new University of Georgia faculty members will embark on a five-day journey across Georgia Aug. 5-9. They will pass through 35 counties, stopping in nine cities to visit businesses, organizations and historical sites to learn more about the state’s people, culture, history and the economics.
The tour also will promote UGA President Jere W. Morehead’s economic development initiative, announced earlier this year. At each stop, the faculty members will hear from business leaders, state officials and local government representatives. The tour will give faculty an opportunity to identify ways their research can work to assist economic efforts in the state and will expose local leaders to some of the resources available through UGA as the state’s land grant institution. The initiative is jointly managed by the Office of the Vice President for Public Service and Outreach and the Office of the Vice President for Research.
The tour was organized and is led by Jennifer Frum, vice president for public service and outreach, and her staff. It is sponsored by the Office of the Provost and the UGA Alumni Association.
Schedule of tour stops and highlights:
Monday, Aug. 5
6:05-8 p.m.
Hall County Civic Center, 830 Green St. NE, Gainesville
Morehead and Carl Rogers, Georgia House of Representatives education committee chairman, will speak on the importance of a land grant university to the state and the importance of higher education, including public service programs, to Georgia’s prosperity. Members of the north Georgia business community and local government leaders will attend.
The reception begins at 6:05 p.m., with dinner at 6:40 p.m. and the program at approximately 7:30 p.m. Morehead, Rogers and Frum will be available during the reception for interview opportunities.
Tuesday, Aug. 6
6:50-8:45 a.m.
Jaemor Farms, 5340 Cornelia Hwy., Alto
Faculty will have breakfast and learn about agritourism from Gary Black, Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture. Mike Giles, from the Georgia Poultry Federation, will talk about the importance of the poultry industry to the state’s economy. Following the program, faculty will explore the farm.
10:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
Georgia Power Resource Center, 75 Fifth St., NW, Suite 150, Atlanta
Faculty will watch demonstrations of technology related to state economic development.
Lunch speakers will include Chris Cummiskey, department of economic development commissioner; Gretchen Corbin, department of community affairs commissioner; and Hank Huckaby, University System of Georgia chancellor. The speakers will discuss community development issues and how higher education can play a role in addressing challenges and building prosperity. Sean McMillan, recently named director of the UGA economic development office in Atlanta, will be at the event. The program is scheduled to start around 12:30 p.m.
1:45-3:20 p.m.
State Capitol, 206 Washington St. SW, Atlanta
Faculty will visit the Capitol and tour the senate chambers. Speakers will include Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, Secretary of State Brian Kemp, Carl Vinson Institute of Government Director Laura Meadows and Capitol tour manager and museum educator Tracie Murray.
3:45-4:40 p.m.
The King Center, 449 Auburn Ave. NE, Atlanta
Faculty will tour the King Center. Menia Chester, a Fulton County Extension agent, will provide an overview of the Civil Rights Movement, the King Center, Ebenezer Baptist Church and the redevelopment of the area.
Wednesday, Aug. 7
11:30 a.m.-2:20 p.m.
Fort Benning, 1 Karker St., McGinnis-Wickam Hall, Suite W-141, Fort Benning
Faculty will tour the National Infantry Museum and hear from Columbus Mayor Teresa Tomlinson and a base representative. They also will observe military exercises on the base.
3:45-5 p.m.
Welcome Center at City Hall, 101 W. Lamar St., Americus
Faculty will learn about the Archway Partnership in Sumter County from Americus Mayor Barry Blount and Mel Garber, director of the UGA Archway Partnership. University System of Georgia Regent George Hooks and Frum will make remarks. Local business, government and higher education leaders are expected to attend.
Thursday, Aug. 8
7:30-9 a.m.
UGA Tifton campus, 2360 Rainwater Road, Tifton
Faculty will visit the campus, receive an overview of the operations and visit the Future Farmstead-which includes an energy efficient house, a dairy farm and a peanut field. Experts in each of those areas will be on hand for presentations.
6-9 p.m.
UGA Marine Extension on Skidaway Island, 30 Ocean Science Circle, Savannah
Faculty will tour the UGA aquarium and take a reception trawl on the Sea Dawg with
Mark Risse, director of UGA marine outreach programs. Uga IX will be available for photos with faculty. Dinner will be a low country boil in the Skidaway cafeteria.
Friday, Aug. 9
Faculty will take a bus tour of historic Savannah and the Port Authority. No media opportunities will be available unless arranged in advance.