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A legacy in motion: Celebrating 150 years of the Maryville College Alumni Association

June 1, 2026

maryville college alumni association 150 year anniversary logo

For a century and a half, the Maryville College Alumni Association has been more than an organization — it’s been a living, breathing network of Scots bound by shared experience, purpose and a belief in something bigger than themselves.

And over the past year, that legacy has been celebrated not just with reflection, but with momentum. The 150th anniversary of the MCAA, officially marked on May 27, 2025, unfolded as a yearlong tribute to connection — past, present and future.

In the fall, alumni and College leaders gathered to honor that history, raising a glass to generations of service and unveiling the Alumni Future Fund, a new initiative designed to empower current students through alumni support. What began as a modest goal quickly grew, fueled by the same spirit of generosity that has sustained the College for decades.

“This milestone year would not be possible without the generations of leaders who have given their time, talent and passion to the Maryville College Alumni Association,” wrote MCAA President Pat Moyer ’85. “We are standing on strong shoulders — and we are deeply grateful.”

The celebration carried into a Homecoming for the ages — nearly 10,000 strong — where stories were shared, traditions renewed and the enduring bond between Maryville College and its alumni was felt in every corner of campus. From commemorative touches like anniversary brews crafted by students to a heartfelt toast recognizing 150 years of service, the past was not simply remembered; it was experienced.

By spring, the focus turned outward. Through the Scots Storytelling Project, alumni were invited to share the moments that shaped them, while KT Global called on Scots around the world to give back through 150 minutes of service — a collective act of purpose echoing across communities far beyond campus.

“This year has been about honoring where we’ve been while creating new traditions that will carry us forward,” said Jennifer Phillips Triplett ’07, director of Alumni Affairs. “At its heart, it’s a celebration of connection — and a reminder that the strength of this College has always been its people.”

And 150 years in, that connection shows no signs of slowing down.

Maryville College is a nationally-ranked institution of higher learning and one of America’s oldest colleges. For more than 200 years we’ve educated students to be giving citizens and gifted leaders, to study everything, so that they are prepared for anything — to address any problem, engage with any audience and launch successful careers right away. Located in Maryville, Tennessee, between the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the city of Knoxville, Maryville College offers nearly 1,200  students from around the world both the beauty of a rural setting and the advantages of an urban center, as well as more than 60 majors, seven pre-professional programs and career preparation from their first day on campus to their last. Today, our 10,000 alumni are living life strong of mind and brave of heart and are prepared, in the words of our Presbyterian founder, to “do good on the largest possible scale.”