Roane State dedicates Knox Regional Health Science Education Center courtyard to philanthropist Natalie Haslam
By Deborah Robbins, Roane State Communications Specialist
Roane State and Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) Knoxville leadership, Roane State Foundation board members and staff, former and current state government officials, and Haslam family members and friends recently gathered at the Knox Regional Health Science Education Center – Covenant Health Campus to recognize the legacy of one of East Tennessee’s most dedicated philanthropists, Natalie Haslam.
She devoted her life to nature, music, the arts, and education. Inspired by a deep love for East Tennessee, she shared her time and talents with many of the region’s cultural and civic organizations, serving on the boards of the Knoxville Symphony Society, East Tennessee Foundation, East Tennessee Historical Society, the Knoxville Garden Club, Friends of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and others.
Natalie Haslam was a 1952 liberal arts graduate at the University of Tennessee and supported many initiatives there. Most recently, the university named its College of Music in her honor.
Following her death earlier this year at age 94, Roane State leadership began an effort to recognize her legacy and the Haslam family’s extraordinary commitment to the college.
Through gifts totaling more than $1.6 million to the Thrive Campaign, the Haslams helped complete the first and busiest phase of construction for the new health science campus in Knoxville and played a key role in helping the Foundation exceed its goal of $5 million in philanthropic support for the facility.
To date, $14 million in charitable funding has been raised to bring the shared Roane State and TCAT Knoxville campus to life, with the Haslam family’s combined gifts representing the largest private monetary contribution to the Thrive Campaign.
The campaign exists to ensure East Tennessee has the qualified healthcare professionals it needs to meet the region’s workforce shortage across dozens of disciplines. In order to address that need, both colleges must ensure students have adequate facilities and space to be trained.
The new Knox Regional campus opened its doors in late 2025 and held its first classes along with a grand opening in January 2026. Operating inside the 130,000-square-foot facility is the Roane State Simulation Center, the flagship feature of the new campus which serves Roane State and TCAT Knoxville health science programs as well as healthcare industry partners. The center provides realistic learning environments including a fully equipped simulation hospital, EMS education ambulance, two-story apartment, and immersive space.
Members of the Haslam family and special guests were invited to tour the Simulation Center and the rest of campus on October 2, 2026, as Roane State held a special ceremony recognizing their role in bringing the project to life. The college chose to honor Natalie Haslam, the family’s late matriarch, by naming the campus courtyard in her memory.
“We know healthcare education is demanding, and students need places to rest, recharge, and connect,” Roane State President Chris Whaley said. “This courtyard was designed with that intention, and it needed a name reflective of its purpose to care for others. That’s why we are honored to officially dedicate this space as the Natalie Haslam Courtyard, in appreciation of the Haslam family’s support and in tribute to Natalie’s enduring legacy.”
Roane State has served as a primary healthcare workforce pipeline in East Tennessee for many years. Now, with the increased space provided by its second location in Knox County, the college is equipped to make an even greater impact on the lives of its students and the collective health of the communities it serves.
Lt. Gov. Randy McNally and wife Jan McNally – both honorary co-chairs of the Thrive Campaign – joined former Governor and Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam and businessman Mr. Jim Haslam II at the recent courtyard naming ceremony where they expressed equal gratitude for the recognition.
“I appreciate Mr. Haslam and Natalie’s work with helping graduates, as they have dedicated their hearts and souls to education all the way from pre-K to college and beyond,” Lt. Gov. McNally said. “Soon you’ll see the students congregate out here, and they’ll talk about their coursework and how they did on tests. And you’ll see comradery develop as classes become closer together and they move toward graduation, and Natalie is such a big part of that.”
The Haslams have long emphasized the importance of a high-quality education. As governor, Bill Haslam, with strong support from the state legislature, helped create the Tennessee Promise program – a last-dollar scholarship that has made college possible for hundreds of Roane State graduates and more than 150,000 students across the state since 2014.
Tennessee was first in the country to implement a college promise program for students to access free tuition. It can be used at any of Tennessee’s community and technical colleges. The program began as part of Governor Haslam’s Drive to 55 initiative, which set the statewide goal of 55% of Tennesseans possessing a college degree or certificate.
“Our secret is our community colleges and technical schools, and they are huge assets in Tennessee,” Gov. Haslam stated at the event. “Roane State, in particular, trains one third of all the health workers that get trained in East Tennessee. Natalie was one hundred percent convinced that East Tennessee was the center of the universe, and she thought the mountains were her mountains. She died nearly nine months ago, and we miss her every day. This was a perfect way to acknowledge her and remember her, and I thank you all and Roane State for this designation.”
Roane State installed a special monument to Natalie Haslam titled “A life well lived,” which was unveiled as part of the ceremony on October 2. Themed after her favorite flower, a yellow rose, the monument notes that above all else, Natalie was a kind and gracious woman who believed in the power of education to transform lives. The college also installed signage on the campus façade and courtyard exit permanently designating the space as the Natalie Haslam Courtyard.
As the Thrive Campaign comes to a close, Roane State Foundation is working to raise the final $1.5 million needed to complete the total $2.5 million goal for student support. These funds will assist health science students facing emergency expenses, textbook costs, and other financial challenges not covered by traditional aid. Learn how to get involved at thrive.roanestate.edu. (Photos courtesy RSCC)
