JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. (Story courtesy of WVLT) – A team of Carson-Newman University students, faculty and chaperones that was stuck in the Middle East during the Iran strikes has safely made it home.
A spokesperson for the university confirmed with WVLT News Monday that the team returned home safety early Saturday morning.
The team of five students, two faculty and two chaperones were in Jerusalem as part of a university-sponsored trip as a part of the archeology program when the strikes escalated. The team worked their way to Egypt before being able to fly back to East Tennessee.
Carson-Newman President Dr. Charles Fowler said the students exhibited an unbelievable amount of maturity as they had to navigate through five different airports to get home safely.
“We are thrilled to have this incredible group back home in East Tennessee,” Fowler said. “These students exhibited an unbelievable level of maturity. We are grateful, as well, for the leadership that helped navigate, via bus, van and five airports, getting them home safely. So many people, both friends of Carson-Newman and some who had never heard of our school, had a hand in assisting in their return. We are also grateful for the many prayers and support we have received in the last several days.”
Thousands of flights have seen cancellations since the U.S. and Israel began strikes on Iran, which created difficulties in getting the team back home.
