Congressman Chuck Fleischmann Applauds $2.5 Million for Tennessee Wesleyan University’s Health Science, STEM Education

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03) is proud to announce that he has secured $2,500,000 in federal funding for Tennessee Wesleyan University to enhance its Health Science and STEM education programs. The funding will support major renovations, and equipment upgrades at the university's Fisher Hall of Science in Athens, Tennessee.

"This $2.5 million investment is about building a brighter future for East Tennessee," said Congressman Fleischmann. "Modernizing Fisher Hall of Science empowers our students, including many from first-generation and underserved backgrounds, to excel and launch successful careers right here at home. These graduates are essential to meeting the workforce needs in advanced manufacturing, nuclear technologies, and artificial intelligence, vital to our region's economic growth. This is a win for our students and for our region's future."

The project will modernize the 30,000-square-foot Fisher Hall of Science, which has not been significantly updated since its completion in 1968. Planned improvements include new flooring, laboratory countertops, HVAC system upgrades, network cabling, and advanced scientific equipment. The initiative will also provide faculty training and implement systems to track student progress from enrollment through job placement.

With these enhancements, Tennessee Wesleyan University aims to increase student enrollment and research participation in biology, chemistry, and environmental science, while also improving student outcomes such as graduation rates and job placements. The upgrades will particularly benefit first-generation and low-income students who rely on the university's science programs, as well as regional employers seeking a pipeline of highly skilled graduates.