Grand opening week events planned to celebrate Maryville College Downtown Center
Sept. 17, 2024
For almost a century, the first impressions of Maryville College to passersby in downtown Maryville were the aging smokestacks atop the MC steam plant building on East Lamar Alexander Parkway. That changes in a dramatic way this month, as the College returns to the city center.
On Sept. 23, MC will make a grand return to downtown Maryville with the official opening of the Maryville College Downtown Center, first announced in May 2023 and now complete as a college hub for classes and collaboration, among numerous other possibilities. A week of grand opening events will begin on Monday, Sept. 23, and continue throughout the following weekend, all designed to showcase the newest building for Maryville College … and the first off-campus facility in its history.
“It’s always satisfying when a vision becomes reality. In this case, I can still recall walking through various neglected Downtown Maryville buildings, working to envision ‘what could be,’” said MC President Dr. Bryan Coker. “I am so grateful to everyone who helped us realize this vision, from our investors to our landlords, to the architects and contractors. The College is thrilled to have this presence downtown, just a few yards away from where it all began for us in the 1800s.
“We look forward to sharing this exciting new space and deepening connections between the College and the community. As I have said before, the fates of the College and the City are inextricably linked, and we must invest in one another. We remain committed to being the College ‘of and for this region,’ and to supporting and partnering with the local community in mutually beneficial ways.”
On May 4, 2023, Coker stood inside a cavernous empty shell of the old J&K Grocery store, located at 118 E. Church Ave., and announced that the future endeavor would serve as hub for the College’s newly created Hospitality and Regional Identity (HRI) program of study, funded through major gifts designated specifically for that program.
On Monday, Sept. 23, Coker — joined by the College’s new HRI coordinator, Dr. Angela Sebby — will gather again for an intimate thank-you dinner with donors of those major gifts, only the interior of the historic building will look far different than it did 16 months ago. When the 2024-25 academic year began last month, students taking HRI courses, as well as those offered for the Fermentation Sciences minor guided by Chemistry Professor Dr. Nathan Duncan, were welcomed into a facility set up for both classroom learning and public events.
“The students’ reaction on the first day was incredible — they were absolutely thrilled and in awe of the Downtown Center,” Sebby said. “Our guest speaker was just as impressed, which really added to the energy in the room. This space feels like a dream come true for any hospitality program; it’s a total game-changer. I love seeing how it’s already drawing students in and giving them hands-on experiences that go beyond a typical classroom.”
Already, Fermentation Sciences students have begun the process of brewing the first batch of Maryville College beer, which will be served at opening week functions.
“I’m very excited that things will be done in one location rather than piecemeal, as we’ve done in the past,” Duncan said. “I’m very excited that we have so many events that will highlight MC beer in the very near future, which means there will be several potential brewing demonstrations. Aside from beer, I’m also planning with the American Chemical Society student club a series of food fermentation/preservation events this fall and next spring.”
While continuing education classes for the larger community have yet to be scheduled, the opportunity for the public to utilize the Downtown Center space has been part of the planning process from the beginning. At the same time, workers with Joseph Construction went to great lengths to preserve the historic nature of the building, given MC’s own reverence for history and tradition.
Established in 1819 as the Southern and Western Theological Seminary, Maryville College was located in downtown Maryville until Anderson Hall was opened on the site of its current location in 1870. As the College continued to grow and expand, its association with the City of Maryville has always been a close one, albeit less so until Coker was installed as the 12th president in 2020. As the Downtown Center continues its opening week activities, the fulfillment of Coker’s vision is one welcomed by community leaders.
“The City of Maryville congratulates Maryville College and celebrates the opening of their new Downtown Center,” said Maryville City Manager Greg McClain. “This investment into our downtown reinforces and strengthens our centuries-long ‘Town and Gown’ relationship. We are committed to encourage and support Maryville College’s mission to educate young Maryville citizens as well as young students from around the world.”
“The opening of the Maryville College Downtown Center marks a significant milestone to further connect the College with downtown,” added Bryan Daniels, president and CEO of Blount Partnership. “As a hub for education, innovation, and community engagement, it will not only enrich the lives of students but also serve as a catalyst for the revitalization of downtown Maryville. By fostering collaboration and creativity, this center is a vibrant destination for both learning and growth.”
Opened in 1941 as the J&K Super Store, the original owners — Walker and Gussie Kidd Johnson, parents of local radio personality, musician and philanthropist Walker Johnson — “provided food and other necessary items to the Maryville community as well as Maryville College,” according to Amy Lundell ’06, MC archivist. “It was a favorite town night stop for students in the mid-20th century.”
As the community’s growth stretched outward, however, downtown Maryville ceased to serve as the hub of town social and commercial life. Strip malls and other businesses drove retail and foot traffic away from the city’s core, but work and dedication by the Downtown Maryville Alliance and Blount Partnership began a revitalization campaign several years ago that’s still ongoing. The Downtown Center will allow students to get more involved in downtown life, and act as an embassy for members of the community who may want to learn more about the College or continue their own education.
“The Maryville College Downtown Center is an exciting and innovative addition to campus life of the current and future MC students, as well as the ongoing revitalization of our downtown core,” said Amanda Baker Gillooly ’03, executive director of the Alliance. “As a Maryville College alumna, I could not be more excited for this connection that has been lacking for some time. It will be a benefit to us all to have the students within our downtown community, and for them to have more interaction with our downtown businesses. I look forward to seeing how this program will grow and how it will strengthen our relationship and communication with the College overall.”
“The Downtown Center is going to be a fantastic spot for everyone!” Sebby added. “It’s not just about the usual classes — there will be lifetime learning opportunities and community events for all. The place is set up for everything from workshops and guest speakers to fun events that get people involved. It’s also perfect for connecting with industry, so we expect some great networking and insights into hospitality and fermentation. What’s really exciting is teaming up with these partners to give students unique hands-on experiences and turn the Downtown Center into a lively community hub.”
Grand opening week activities at the Downtown Center will include:
Monday, Sept. 23
A “Thank You” intimate donor dinner will be held at 6 p.m. to acknowledge the efforts of donors, Center partners and potential partners, local officials, downtown business owners and others whose support helped made the Downtown Center a reality. An invitation-only event, it will feature a formal dinner created in-house by Chef Jack Townsend ’17 of downtown’s Diamondjack Wine Bar. The evening will begin with a social hour, featuring appetizers and bar service, including some of the first batches of beer brewed on-site by Fermentation Sciences students.
Tuesday, Sept. 24
Members of the public are invited to attend the Blount Chamber Ribbon-Cutting and Open House starting at 9:30 a.m. at the Center, where light refreshments will be served and tours of the facility will showcase the commercial teaching kitchen, fermentation lab and classroom and event space. Public parking is accessible via Founder’s Lot (a short walk down East Church Avenue) or on the lower level of the Church Street Parking Garage at 101 W. Church Ave.
Wednesday, Sept. 25
An open house for the Maryville College community will give MC students, faculty and staff an opportunity to explore the space from 3-5 p.m., when light refreshments will be served.
Thursday, Sept. 26
The Maryville College Student Government Association will hold its regular Thursday meeting at the Downtown Center, and members encourage other student organizations to join them and learn about ways the Center can be utilized for student-organized activities. An event for high school vocational counselors and community college/continuing education students who may be interested in the HRI program will take place in the afternoon.
In addition, weekend events will coincide with the College’s upcoming Family Weekend activities, including a continental breakfast on Saturday, Sept. 28.
“Having the opportunity to host multiple events over the course of the opening week demonstrates how the building may be utilized by the College and various external groups,” said Suzy Booker, vice president of Advancement at Maryville College. “Furthermore, it helps us to meaningfully recognize our key partners who helped to make this center possible. They can immediately see the potential impact of the Center and the community interest generated by Maryville College and the new Hospitality Program. We hope the Downtown Center serves as a front porch for our campus, a place to welcome friends and visitors and let them get to know Maryville College a little better.”
Moving forward, the Downtown Center will continue to evolve as both an extension of the College, and a front-facing embassy that further strengthens its ties to the downtown area. Providing students with an opportunity to assist in the mission of serving as an institution “of and for the region” will introduce them to a community they may choose to make their home after Commencement, Sebby pointed out, as well as open doors for even more local residents to explore Maryville College as an option for their own education.
“The Downtown Center really boosts awareness of Maryville College and what we’re all about,” Sebby said. “It shows our commitment to forward-thinking education and how much we care about our students, the local community, and our partners. It clearly demonstrates that we care about making a positive impact in the area.
“It’s not just a space — it’s a living learning lab where they can dive right into real-world scenarios. I’m confident this center is going to elevate our Hospitality and Regional Identity program, opening up amazing opportunities for practical learning and connecting with the community right in the heart of downtown!”
