A group of 40 new University of Georgia faculty members departed Monday on a whirlwind tour of the state. The idea is to expose them to parts of the state they may not have a chance to visit on their own.

Jennifer Frum is UGA’s Vice President of Public Service and Outreach. She said the tour is highlighting the state’s economic development, a key focus for the university’s new president.

“The new faculty are really going to see the various aspects of economic development from several perspectives – manufacturing, agriculture, technology – and how those tie together and how they create jobs and prosperity for the state,” said Frum.

The tour will take the faculty to the Plant Vogtle nuclear power plant near Augusta, the Kia plant north of Columbus, the state Capitol, the Port of Savannah and other places.

It’s the first such tour in five years.

Tags: economic development, University of Georgia, tour, new faculty, Jennifer Frum