Spelman College Receives Record Breaking 100 Million Dollar Donation
Photo Credit: UNCF.org
By: Joshua Martin
On Thursday, January 18th, One of the leading Black women’s institutions in science, engineering, mathematics, and technology, Spelman College, announced that it will be receiving the largest donation any HBCU has ever received. According to sources, the generous $100 million contribution was donated by Ronda E. Stryker and her husband William D. Johnson. Both are pillars in the Atlanta community as she has served as a Spelman trustee since 1997 and as a Greenleaf Trust chairman.
Stryker, the billionaire businesswoman who for several decades helmed her family’s namesake medical equipment company, is one of the longest-serving board members at Spelman. While her husband, Johnston, has given significant donations to the college before, with the latest being the largest.
Spelman immediately took to social media to share the historic news by releasing an official statement of gratitude towards the married couple for the funds and pictures of faculty, students, and alumni reacting to the monumental announcement.
“Yesterday, we were excited to share news of a historic donation to Spelman College by longtime Trustee Ronda Stryker and her husband, William Johnston. The Spelman community was joined by members of our board of trustees and other special guests to celebrate the generous contribution during a spirited event in Sisters Chapel. #100for100Spelman”
Spelman Board Chair Lovette Russell addressed the hundreds in attendance, initially breaking the news to the ladies in the audience, calling the moment “transformational.”
“Let me share with you that this $100 million gift is the largest in Spelman’s history. It is also the largest single donation to any HBCU. Honestly, it’s a transformational gift to any institution, period. We are so grateful, proud, and inspired by this phenomenal gift. ”
Spelman College announces a record-breaking $100 million donation — the largest-ever single donation to any HBCU: “Today is a major step to ensure more young women can achieve their dreams.” pic.twitter.com/5Hqv7ixqR8
— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) January 18, 2024
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that the vast majority of the donation will be allocated to scholarship funds. At the same time, the remaining monies will be used to improve campus conditions, which will include improved and renovated dormitories and a stronger emphasis on public safety and democracy. Spelman President Dr. Helene Gayle elaborated on their plans to use these huge financial commitments to create better experiences for future Jaguars.
“The ability to secure the future for the kinds of young women that I see every day on campus was just awe-inspiring and incredibly, deeply emotional and deeply moving. I hope this is a message that says HBCUs that already punch well above their weight are worth investing in. We know that there’s a huge return in investment.”
The National Science Foundation has ranked Spelman among the top U.S. higher education institutions whose students go on to earn their Ph.D. and has ranked it specifically as the leading producer of Black women who subsequently earn their doctorates in STEM fields, according to the college.
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