MARYVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Maryville College has officially received $12 million gift from the State of Tennessee towards the construction of a new 65,000-square-foot science center on campus.

The funds were approved by the state lawmakers earlier this year and first announced by Gov. Bill Lee during his State of the State Address in February. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2026, depending on fundraising efforts to cover the remainder of the $80-million project.

The Alexander Institute for Environmental Education and the Sciences will house several academic departments and "advance conservation, environmental education and interdisciplinary research in the Southern Appalachian region."

“This is really going to be an institute that is really focused on our region,” Maryville Coll

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