By Lili Derkach
For more than 30 years, The University of Washington Faculty Field Tour has been an invaluable opportunity for new faculty members to become immersed in Washington state’s diverse communities, natural wonders and vital heritage. This year, a group of 35 faculty participants got a direct look at the UW’s impact across the state by taking a five-day bus tour, covering more than 1,000 miles.
The group’s journey began on June 15, as faculty members arrived at the UW’s Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture in Seattle before setting off that morning. The bus flooded with curiosity and a kaleidoscope of perspectives, eager about the possibility of connection and new knowledge.
“It meant so much to me to be on that bus and with everyone for those five days. The Faculty Field Tour gave me a much deeper understanding and appreciation of the diversity of our students and the communities we serve and changed the way I look at our beautiful state.”
Day one of the tour consisted of stops around the Port of Tacoma; the Washington State Capitol in Olympia, where the group met with Lt. Gov. Denny Heck; and the Mount St. Helens Interpretive Center, until reaching the Heathman Lodge in Vancouver, Washington.
As the day ended, faculty members sat down to have a conversation with UW Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Tricia Serio.
“People gain confidence in colleges and universities when they see them solving problems, partnering with communities and improving lives close to home,” Serio wrote in an op-ed about the Faculty Field Tour published by the Spokesman-Review. “While these new faculty come from a variety of backgrounds, interests and expertise, they share two things with each other and with everyone they meet along the tour — a belief in the possible and a commitment to making an impact now and long into the future.”
As the tour continued, the group made its way to the Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic (YVFWC). The UW remains essential to the agricultural heartland of Washington, and the YVFWC is no exception, being one of the largest community health centers in the nation. With a few more stops, the day concluded with an evening conversation with UW President Robert J. Jones.
As the tour resumed on day three, President Jones joined the group at Schoesler Farms, the Ritzville wheat farm owned by Sen. Mark Schoesler and his family. Jones reflected on what the University strives for and the role it plays within our nearby communities.
“The University of Washington is dedicated to serving communities across every corner of the state,” Jones said. “The Faculty Field Tour gave me a firsthand look at the people, industries and organizations that make Washington such a special place. From visiting Sen. Schoesler’s wheat farm and learning about the challenges facing farmers to meeting with students, alumni and community leaders in Spokane, I was reminded of the strong connections between the University and the communities we serve. For our newest faculty members, the tour emphasized how deeply their teaching, research and service are connected to the University’s public mission.”
“Every public university should have a program like this one.”
In the following days, other tour highlights included the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO), Grand Coulee Dam, the Colville Tribal Museum and more.
“The Faculty Field Tour is a truly special, once-in-a-lifetime experience for new faculty. Over the course of the trip, you learn about the history, geography and culture of Washington, and you experience it alongside an amazing group of colleagues who quickly become friends,” said Samantha Reznik, assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences.
“Along the way, you’ll connect with communities across the state, gain a deeper appreciation for the people and places that make Washington unique and help welcome the newest UW undergraduates from eastern Washington. It’s an unforgettable way to start your journey at the University of Washington.”
See more photos from this year’s tour below.
