Atlanta’s Spelman College Receives Historic $100 Million Donation

Spelman College, a private historically Black women’s liberal arts college founded in 1881, is set to receive a historic $100 million donation from philanthropists Ronda Stryker and William Johnston. This remarkable contribution marks the largest single financial gift ever made to a historically Black college or university.

Stryker, who has served as a trustee at Spelman College since 1997, is a distinguished businesswoman and philanthropist. Notably, she is also the largest individual shareholder at Kalamazoo-based Stryker Corp., a medical device company. Her husband, Johnston, serves as the chairman of Greenleaf Trust, a prominent wealth management firm based in Michigan.

The exceptional donation will play an instrumental role in advancing Spelman College’s mission of eliminating financial barriers to education. $75 million of the contribution will be allocated towards supporting endowed student scholarships, while the remaining $25 million will be utilized to develop an academic focus on public policy and democracy, enhance student housing, and provide flexible funding to address critical strategic needs.

Lovette Russell, chair of Spelman College’s board, expressed her deep gratitude for this “transformational gift” and emphasized its importance in shaping the future of the institution. President Helene Gayle echoed this sentiment, stating that Spelman College is immensely better because of Stryker’s selflessness and support.

Spelman College, located in Atlanta, boasts an impressive reputation as the top-ranked historically Black college or university according to U.S. News & World Report for 17 consecutive years. The college also holds the distinction of graduating the highest number of Black women who go on to earn doctorate degrees in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.

Ronda Stryker and William Johnston have a long-standing history of philanthropy, having previously donated $100 million to the Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, which was named after Stryker’s grandfather. Their contributions extend beyond academia, as they also actively support the Foundation for Excellence in Kalamazoo.

The impact of this substantial gift to Spelman College cannot be overstated. It secures the future for generations of young women aspiring to attend the college and paves the way for further advancements in education and research.

News Source: Crain’s Grand Rapids Business