Southern Adventist University is holding a dedication ceremony for the Sabbath Trail, a 1.5-mile walking loop in the campus’ Fenton Forest, on Saturday, at 5:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend.
Southern was recently gifted 250 acres adjoining campus on Bauxite Ridge, opposite of White Oak Mountain. More than 12 miles of new paths have been created and are available for both students and community use. The donation, made by an alumni family, was part of a land trust ensuring new green spaces and a continued emphasis by the university on environmental stewardship. A highlight of these new paths is the Sabbath Trail. Plaques and stones containing both biblical and historical insights have been integrated along the loop, inviting participants to ponder God's great love.
Southern has 800 forested acres on its 1,300-acre campus and several park-like settings for students and the greater Chattanooga community to enjoy. In total, there are approximately 30 miles of hiking and biking paths on Southern’s Bauxite Ridge and White Oak Mountain trails that stretch from the lowest point of the valley to the ridge tops overlooking the university. Hikers, mountain bikers, and cross-country trail runners enjoy sections of varying difficulty. The pine and hardwood forest through which the trails wind is also a paradise for the nature enthusiast, with wildflowers, birds, and a creek habitat.
Parking for the Sabbath Trail dedication ceremony, or future use of the Bauxite Ridge trails, is available at 4883 Sunkist Terrace. Signs will direct participants from there.
Southern is a private institution run by the Seventh-day Adventist Church and accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Founded in 1892, the university is located in Collegedale, Tennessee, and currently enrolls 3,000 students pursuing a variety of undergraduate and graduate level degrees. Its mission is to nurtures Christlikeness, academic excellence, and a lifelong pursuit of truth, wholeness, and service.