In 2005 Governor Phil Bredesen recommended to the Tennessee General Assembly the appropriation of $2.5 million, which ORNL pledged to match, to begin a program to bring to joint appointments at UT and ORNL up to 20 world-class scientists who would have tenured professor appointments at UT and distinguished science posts at ORNL. The chair appointments include an ongoing discretionary research fund equal to 12-months’ salary.
Candidate identification began in 2006. In June 2006 UT President John Petersen and Governor Phil Bredesen jointly announced the appointment of the first Governor’s Chair, biophysicist Jeremy Smith. The Governor’s Chair program extends the distinguished scientist program of the Science Alliance and will over time supplant it.