The Marco Institute for Medieval and Renaissance Studies at The University of Tennessee will open Friday.

The institute is a new interdisciplinary study which is composed of different programs and departments, medieval studies being the main focus.

Along with the study, the institute allows for the exchange and trading of ideas to cross departments of study, Michael Kulikowski, professor of history and project director, said.

“The Marco Institute sponsors international symposiums where scholars from around the world can exchange ideas and talk to the public,” Kulikowski said.

The first lecture will be Maura Lafferty, professor of classics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

“She will discuss why Latin became the dominant standard learned language in Medieval Europe,” Thomas Burnman, professor of history, said.

The lecture will come from the book Lafferty is currently writing, which has topics about different versions of the life of Saint Patrick. The lecture and event is free to the public.

Donations and grants completely fund the institute each year.

The National Endowment for the Humanities gave a grant allowing the institute more space for classrooms. An endowment of $150,000 is given every year. A total of $3 million in donations have been given to the institute thus far, Kulikowsk said.

“We are increasing the quality of product at no addition,” Robert Bast, professor of history and director of the Marco Institute, said.

The opening will be held from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Tours will show the different art works and books from Medieval times.

UT Madrigal singers will sing at 3:30 p.m. and the ribbon cutting ceremony will take place at 4 p.m. Free food and music will follow the ribbon cutting until 6 p.m. Lafferty will give her lecture in Temple Court Room 203 at 7 p.m.

Information about the Marco Institute is available at the Web site http://web.utk.edu/~marco.