Georgia Tech President G.P. “Bud” Peterson began his seventh annual tour of the state of Georgia Monday morning, kicking off a four-day stretch that will take him through west and north Georgia. Peterson will travel 650 miles during the Georgia Tour, visiting 30 counties and 13 cities and towns. He will meet with business people, lawmakers, alumni, donors and regents.

The summer tours are designed for Peterson to discuss Georgia Tech’s impact across the state and hear concerns from community members across the region.

“We started the Georgia Tour when I first came to the Institute from Colorado so that I could learn about the state,” said Peterson. “My initial thought was that we would do it for a year or two. But we’ve continued it every year because it’s such a great opportunity to meet the citizens of Georgia, current and prospective students and people whose businesses Georgia Tech has helped to improve.”

During the course of the previous six Georgia Tours, the president has traveled more than 4,500 miles, stopped in nearly 40 cities and traveled through almost every one of Georgia’s 159 counties.

This year’s tour includes Fayetteville, Newnan, LaGrange and Carrollton in west Georgia. The north Georgia segment features Cartersville, Ringgold, Chickamauga, Dalton, Big Canoe, Young Harris, Blue Ridge and Dahlonega.