Spelman College, a top institution for Black women's education, has received a transformative $100 million donation from notable philanthropists Ronda Stryker and her husband, William Johnston. This landmark contribution is not only the largest in the college's history but also sets a new record for the most substantial single donation ever granted to any Historically Black College and University. The announcement comes as Spelman celebrates 100 years since it was formally named in 1924, marking a momentous occasion with a gift that promises to shape its future, as FOX 5 Atlanta reported.
The generous gift from Stryker, who has been on the Spelman College Board of Trustees since 1997, will allocate $75 million towards endowed scholarships, enabling the college to move closer towards its goal of becoming need-blind for students. The remaining $25 million is earmarked for enhancing student housing, bolstering academic programs focused on public policy and democracy, and, providing flexible funding to address the college’s strategic imperative needs. "We are invigorated and inspired by this incredible act of generosity," Spelman College President Helene Gayle expressed in a statement obtained by FOX 5 Atlanta.
This isn't the first time Stryker and Johnston, her husband and chairman of wealth management firm Greenleaf Trust, have put their wealth to work for the institution. In 2018, the couple donated $30 million toward constructing the Center for Innovation & the Arts on campus. Stryker's deep involvement with and commitment to Spelman college spans over two decades, reflecting her devotion to the advancement of women through education and her support for historically underrepresented groups.
Spelman sophomore Zoe Shepard, who also serves as a student trustee, has seen Stryker's dedication up close. "She's been one of the longest-serving board of trustees members, and so I know that it meant a lot for her to give the gift," Shepard said, according to a Atlantan News First interview. "She loves Spelman, and we love her." As a private, predominantly residential liberal arts college, Spelman stands as the nation's oldest institution exclusively dedicated to the education of Black women. The remarkable gift from Stryker and Johnston will undoubtedly help ensure the legacy of Spelman College continues to thrive for another century and beyond.
