Maryville College receives $12 million state gift to support Alexander Institute for Conservation Leadership and the Sciences
Oct. 22, 2025
Maryville College has received a $12 million gift from the State of Tennessee to support the development of the Alexander Institute for Conservation Leadership and the Sciences — a transformative new academic facility that will advance conservation, environmental education and interdisciplinary research in the Southern Appalachian region.
The state funding, approved by the Tennessee General Assembly in April for the state’s fiscal year 2025 budget and issued to the City of Maryville — working in partnership with the College on the Institute — before being transferred to the College in early October, was first announced by Gov. Bill Lee during his State of the State address on Feb. 10. Retired U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander and Maryville College President Dr. Bryan F. Coker were both in attendance for the announcement.
“I am beyond grateful to Gov. Lee and the entire Tennessee legislature for joining us in celebrating Sen. Alexander’s remarkable legacy, and in recognizing the transformative educational potential of this Institute for the people and the land of Tennessee,” Coker said.
Coker first met with Lee in Nashville to discuss plans for the facility in November 2024, and spent the following spring meeting with numerous elected leaders in Nashville to discuss plans for the institute and the proposed state contribution.
“Thanks to Gov. Bill Lee and the state legislature for this huge boost to Maryville College’s institute to preserve and celebrate the health of the people and land of Appalachia, I am delighted to help train the leaders who will make sure that future generations can use and enjoy the Great Smoky Mountain region as much as we do,” Alexander added.
Preserving a legacy
The Alexander Institute, projected at approximately 65,000 square feet and $80 million in total cost, will be built at the prominent intersection of Washington Street and Lamar Alexander Parkway on the Maryville College campus. Designed as a “public-facing, public-oriented and public-serving facility,” Coker said, the institute will link the College’s teaching, research and community engagement efforts to promote conservation leadership and preserve the natural heritage of the Southern Appalachians.
Named in honor of Alexander — former Tennessee governor, U.S. senator and U.S. education secretary — the institute reflects his lifelong commitment to protecting natural resources. Alexander authored the Great American Outdoors Act, signed into law in 2020, and previously chaired the Commission on the American Outdoors under President Ronald Reagan. A native of Maryville, Alexander’s parents met while students at Maryville College, and his sister, Jane Alexander Carl, currently serves on the College’s Board of Directors.
With the completion of the institute, the Divisions of Natural Sciences, Health Sciences and Outdoor Studies, and Mathematics and Computer Science will move from the Sutton Science Center, which has been the College’s home for STEM-related fields since 1969. In addition, several interdisciplinary programs, including Environmental Science and Neuroscience, will also relocate to the Alexander Institute.
A signature feature will be the Natalie Leach Haslam Center for Environmental Education, honoring the Knoxville philanthropist and community activist named as the East Tennessean of the Year in 2018 by the East Tennessee Historical Society. The Haslam Center will provide K–12 students and regional visitors hands-on experiences focused on conservation, environmental awareness, biodiversity and sustainability through indoor and outdoor classrooms, exhibits and educational programming.
The facility’s design is being led by Ennead Architects, with Denark Construction serving as general contractor and Partners Development providing project management. Construction is anticipated to begin in late 2026, dependent upon continued fundraising progress.
A collaborative affair
While the State of Tennessee’s $12 million gift provides a critical foundation, more than $60 million remains to be raised. To successfully complete it, the College has launched its most ambitious fundraising campaign in history, guided by the Alexander Institute Leadership Council, co-chaired by David Colquitt and Annie Haslam Colquitt. Dr. Bill Frist, retired U.S. Senate majority leader and current chair of The Nature Conservancy’s Global Board, serves as honorary chair.
“We are thrilled — and honored — to assist with the efforts to make the Alexander Institute of Conservation Leadership and the Sciences a reality,” the Colquitts said in a prepared statement. “From our involvement at RT Lodge, we have had a front-row seat to the amazing things happening at Maryville College under President Coker’s leadership. At the same time, we believe Sen. Alexander’s legacy of leadership, including his work in conservation and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, is worthy of honor.
“Like Sen. Alexander, we believe helping foster a spirit of conservation for the Smoky Mountains and this incredible place we call home is important work, and we are thankful that Maryville College will lead the way for generations to come through this Institute.”
Additional council members include Mary Celeste Beall (Blackberry Farm), Mark Cate (Stones River Group), Kevin Clayton (Clayton Homes), Bill Haslam (former Tennessee governor), Shameek Konar (Ara Partners), Sharon Pryse (The Trust Company), and John and Lee Ann Tolsma (Knowledge Launch and Knoxville Motor Company).
A separate Advisory Council, chaired by Maryville College alumnus Dr. Bob Mahley ’63, president emeritus and founder of the Gladstone Institutes in San Francisco, will advise academic and programmatic development. Members include Cassius Cash (Yosemite Conservancy), Lars Hedin (Princeton University), John Heidelberg ’87 (University of Southern California), Adam McCall ’99 (Prisma Renewable Composites), Katherine Medlock ’98 (The Nature Conservancy), Theresa Pierno (National Parks Conservation Association), and Holden Thorp (Science magazine).
“This gift from the State sets the stage for what will become a cornerstone of Maryville College’s future,” Coker said. “Through the Alexander Institute, we will prepare the next generation of conservation leaders, scholars and citizens committed to sustaining the land and people of our region.”
Questions about the project may be directed to Dr. Jay Clark ’96, director of environmental and sustainability initiatives at Maryville College. Those interested in supporting the initiative philanthropically should contact Suzy Booker, vice president for Institutional Advancement.
