Roane State Community College and TCAT Knoxville dedicate Knox Regional Health Science Education Center courtyard to Natalie Haslam

Roane State Community College and Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) Knoxville have dedicated the courtyard of the Knox Regional Health Science Education Center to Natalie Haslam, a dedicated philanthropist who gave generously to Roane State Community College. 

According to an article on Roane State Community College’s website, Roane State President Chris Whaley was quoted as saying at the dedication ceremony, “We know healthcare education is demanding, and students need places to rest, recharge, and connect. 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.”

The Haslam family toured the Knox Regional Health Science Education Center on October 2, 2026. Roane State Community College held a special dedication ceremony during the family’s visit to recognize Natalie and her contributions to the college, and the naming of the courtyard in her honor. The college installed a monument in tribute to Natalie titled “A life well lived.” The monument is themed after a yellow rose, which was her favorite flower, and special signage permanently dedicates the courtyard as the Natalie Haslam Courtyard. 

Natalie Haslam graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1952. She supported the university with generous financial gifts, and the university recently named its College of Music in her honor. She was dedicated to supporting various initiatives around Tennessee, having been on the boards for projects like the Knoxville Symphony Society, East Tennessee Foundation, East Tennessee Historical Society, the Knoxville Garden Club, Friends of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and more. She passed away earlier this year at age 94.

Joining the Haslam family at the dedication ceremony was Lt. Gov. Randy McNally and his wife Jan McNally, both of whom were honorary co-chairs of the Thrive Campaign, and former Governor and Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam and businessman Mr. Jim Haslam II.

When he was Governor, Bill Haslam was involved in creating the Tennessee Promise program, which was the first program in the country that allowed students to access free tuition.

Speaking at the dedication event, he said, “Our secret is our community colleges and technical schools, and they are huge assets in Tennessee. 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.”

Lt. Gov. McNally said, “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. 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 Knox Regional Health Science Education Center was opened in late 2025 with the first classes being held in early 2026. The Haslam family was instrumental in the project, having given the largest private monetary contribution to the Thrive Campaign that funded the building’s development and construction.

For more information about Roane State Community College, visit the school’s website.

For more information about TCAT Knoxville, visit the school’s website.