A group of seven Bainbridge College (BC) students recently enjoyed a field trip to some of Atlanta’s most historic venues.  The two-day tour of the state capital included visits to the CNN headquarters, the Cyclorama, the Martin Luther King, Jr. historic site, and the Jimmy Carter Library and Museum.  The students are members of the college’s Social Science and Political Guild clubs, which jointly underwrote expenses for the trip.  Students were accompanied on the trip by Bainbridge College associate professor John Vanzo. 

The seven students who made the trip started their excursion on June 22 with lunch and a tour of the CNN Headquarters facility.  Students rode the world’s longest free-standing escalator, eight stories tall, to witness how news is prepared and presented in a major international media outlet. 

The following morning was spent visiting the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site, which includes a museum dedicated to the civil rights leader, the Ebenezer Baptist Church where Dr. King served as pastor for several years, his birth home, and gravesite.  The students experienced some of the drama of the Civil War by visiting the Cyclorama, located next to Atlanta’s zoo, which houses the world’s largest painting - an enhanced 3-D portrayal of the 1864 Battle of Atlanta. 

The final day was spent touring the museum and grounds of the Jimmy Carter Library and Museum complex, which describes the former Georgia governor’s experiences as a youngster, naval officer, and politician, as well as his current activities in diplomatic and humanitarian work.  As a special treat, the students enjoyed their last meal in Atlanta at the Varsity drive-in restaurant, reputedly the largest fast food establishment in the world. 

“Everyone enjoyed the field trip immensely, and the first-hand experience of visiting these sites is a wonderful adjunct to the students’ classroom learning,” said club advisor and trip chaperone Vanzo.  “Aside from the attractions we toured, the mere act of visiting a major cosmopolitan city like Atlanta opens young peoples’ eyes to the wider world out there and the unlimited possibilities their futures hold for them.” 

For student Kendra Pickren, the twin highlights of the trip were the Carter Library and the King Historic Site.  “Both places were educational and inspiring.  The Carter displays really made history come alive, and it was very cool to walk through the church, or even just down the street, and know that Dr. King walked those same steps while inspiring the people of our country.” 

Fellow student Obediah Hall found the Statue of Gandhi in front of the King Site equally inspiring.  “The statue reminds people of the role Gandhi played in the life of Martin Luther King, Jr.  We all have a duty to work for liberty and justice, like those men did.  I also liked exploring the downtown area around Peachtree Street, with its art and architecture, the monoliths that make up Atlanta’s skyline, and all the historical markers and statues.” 

The field trip to Atlanta is an annual event for members of the Social Science Club and the Political Guild club, which aim to further interest and knowledge in their respective disciplines.

The mission of Bainbridge College is to promote an accessible, affordable, and excellent education for the diverse population of southwest Georgia and beyond, resulting in life-long learning, economic development, and graduates empowered for success in a global society. For more information, please visit www.bainbridge.edu. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bainbridgecollege