Tower Fellows Alumni Explore Malta, Sicily UNESCO Sites
- Jul 7, 2026
In May 2026, alumni from The University of Texas at Austin’s Tower Fellows Program embarked on a global education experience across the Mediterranean. Fellows visited historic and cultural sites in Malta and Sicily and learned how even ancient cities can be shaped by innovation.
The Tower Fellows Program, established in 2018, is a two-semester experience for a small community of highly accomplished late-career individuals who want to pursue unique interests while exploring the next chapter of life.
Cohorts take undergraduate and graduate classes and receive a “backstage pass” to many UT Austin experiences and programs, further benefited by the support of experienced faculty mentors and close-knit community of Fellows and alumni.
“University education should not be limited to just young adults,” said Isabella Cunningham, former faculty director of the Tower Fellows Program, in the Alcalde alumni magazine. “People are changing careers now more frequently and are still active much later in life. This place is a fertile environment for exploration and self-fulfillment, and this program will provide people with the platform for an exciting period of discovery and reinvention.”
On their trip, the alumni visited several UNESCO World Heritage sites and engaged with the layered histories of the regions. Visits included the 16th-century fortifications in Valletta, Malta; the megalithic temples of Hagar Qim and Ġgantija, some of the oldest freestanding structures in the world; and Taormina’s Greek theater overlooking Mount Etna. At each stop, participants gained perspective on how geography and conquest shape societies, and how innovation and resilience transcend time.
That spirit of exploration also reflects the alumni who participate: Since the program’s inception, Tower Fellows have ranged from CEOs to Emmy winners, each making an individual impact and coming together to learn from the faculty and forces that make campus a special place. The trip highlighted how learning can continue even long after their time on campus.
For more information, visit the UT Tower Fellows Facebook page.
