University of Tennessee System President Randy Boyd announced the members of the recently established nonpartisan Institute of American Civics Board of Fellows today.

Last spring, Governor Bill Lee and Tennessee lawmakers appropriated $6 million to support the institute in the FY22–23 state budget. The institute is located in the Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy at UT Knoxville, the state’s flagship university campus. It will support statewide efforts to advance civic education and constructive debate and to foster deeper understanding of American government and the principles that contributed to the country’s founding.

Names from across the national political spectrum make up the 13-member Board of Fellows advising the Institute of American Civics at the Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy. The appointed board reflects the spirit of bipartisanship that defines the institute after legislation creating it passed with overwhelming bipartisan support.

By statute, the Board of Fellows must consist of 13 members. At least nine members must be, or have been, tenured professors, administrators, or professors of practice at an institution of US higher education; two members must be distinguished former elected or appointed US officials who, while serving in their former elected or appointed position, must have been affiliated with different political parties; and two members must be members of the Baker Center board.

To learn more about the Institute and view the Board of Fellows, click here.