MARYVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – Maryville College announced a major commitment from former U.S. Senator Dr. Bill Frist and his wife, Tracy, to help advance plans for the Tracy and Bill Frist Center for Appalachian Wellness and the Outdoors.
The new center will be part of the proposed Alexander Institute for Conservation Leadership and the Sciences.
According to Maryville College, the Frist Center will focus on how human health and the health of the planet are connected in Southern Appalachia, one of the most biodiverse regions in the country.
The center is expected to house academic programs including Maryville College’s Division of Health Sciences and Outdoor Studies, with majors such as exercise science, nursing, health and wellness promotion, outdoor studies and tourism, and physical education/health.
Maryville College President Dr. Bryan Coker said the school has long seen the link between the region’s environment and community health, given the college’s history in the Great Smoky Mountains area.
“We couldn’t be more grateful for — and excited about — the Frists’ commitment to the Center for Appalachian Wellness and the Outdoors,” Dr. Coker said. “As a college rooted in the Great Smoky Mountains for over 200 years, we have long recognized and directly witnessed the environment’s undeniable influence on human health and wellness.”
Plans for the center include indoor and outdoor classrooms, a human performance and exercise science lab and a terrace overlooking teaching gardens.
Maryville College said the broader Alexander Institute is projected to be about 65,000 square feet with an estimated total cost of $80 million. It is planned for the intersection of Washington Street and Lamar Alexander Parkway on the Maryville College campus.
The institute is named for Maryville native Lamar Alexander, a former Tennessee governor, U.S. senator and U.S. education secretary known for his conservation efforts. The State of Tennessee previously provided a $12 million gift to support the project.
Those interested in learning more or contributing can contact the Maryville College President’s Office at 865-981-8102.
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