Press Release
Washington, D.C., August 29, 2023 – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) today praised the disbursement of $34 million from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology to Marion Military Institute (MMI) for the construction of a Math and Science Building on its Perry County campus.
The new classroom space will enable MMI to expand its course offerings in fields such as computer science, cybersecurity, and information technology. In addition, this investment will centralize all of MMI’s STEM classes and laboratories in a single state-of-the-art facility.
“Every Alabamian deserves the opportunity to live their American Dream, regardless of their zip code,” said Senator Britt. “Turning this dream into a reality starts with ensuring that each young person across our great state has access to a high-quality education. This targeted, strategic federal investment will not only provide a new facility for Marion Military Institute but will also allow the school to offer more courses to its students and better prepare them for the demands of a military or civilian career as they live out the institution’s mission of service.”
“We are excited at the prospect of this new building,” remarked MMI President Colonel David J. Mollahan, USMC (Ret). “It will provide us the classroom and lab space and capabilities to expand course offerings in STEM. This will allow MMI to serve as both a leadership and STEM center of excellence.”
The funding for MMI was initially secured by former Senator Richard Shelby (R-Ala.).
Earlier this year, Senator Britt met with Colonel Mollahan and MMI leaders and received an update on the campus and MMI’s goals for the future.
A member of the Alabama Community College System, MMI is one of only four military junior colleges in the United States that can commission students as officers in the U.S. Army after two years of study. It is also home to one of the nation’s top Service Academy Programs, with more than 600 MMI cadets receiving Academy appointments in the last seven years. The school counts more than 216 generals and admirals among its alumni.
MMI has an annual statewide annual economic impact of $25 million and supports 394 direct and indirect jobs.
Tracing its roots back to 1842, MMI is also the nation’s oldest military junior college. The institution uses an immersive military environment and a focus on the intellectual, leadership, character, and physical development of a student to prepare them for a military or civilian career while living by the school’s motto of “Truth, Honor, Service.”
