Spelman College receives historic $100 million gift 

Spelman College recently received its largest single donation, a groundbreaking $100 million gift from Ronda Stryker, the longest-serving member of Spelman’s Board of Trustees, and her husband, William Johnston.

Stryker, a philanthropist and co-vice-chair of the Spelman College Board of Trustees, has a long history of supporting the institution, having previously donated about $70 million, including a $30 million gift in 2018 for the Center for Innovation & the Arts. Stryker sits on the board of directors of Stryker Corp., a Michigan-based medical technologies firm founded by her grandfather. Johnston is chairman of Greenleaf Trust, an investment banking firm.

A compelling statement was released by Stryker, who expressed a deep conviction in the transformative power of education, particularly for women. She stated, “I have seen first-hand the enormous impact financial investment has generated for Spelman’s highly talented students. It’s important to me that all women be provided an opportunity to explore their talents, challenge their self-doubts and realize the power of achieving individual success.”

Dr. Helene Gayle, Spelman’s president since 2022, described the gift as “transformational” for the women’s college, which enrolls nearly 2,600 students. The funds will help remove financial barriers for students and support need-based scholarships. About 40% of students are eligible for federal Pell Grants, and 80% receive some form of need-based aid. Gayle said, “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.” 

This donation is a significant moment for historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), as they have historically received less philanthropic support than their non-HBCU counterparts. Dr. Gayle expressed hope that this generous gift would send a message about the value and importance of investing in HBCUs.

Spelman College plans to use part of the donation to enhance academic work in public policy and democracy, with further details in the planning stage. Additionally, the funds will be used to update residence halls and improve student housing facilities.

The $100 million gift coincides with the 100th anniversary of the college’s name, marking a historic moment in Spelman’s legacy.

The $100 million donation will be allocated as follows:

• $75 million for endowed scholarships to support future students.
• The remaining funds will be used to renovate dormitories, develop an academic focus on democracy and public policy, and provide flexible funding for other needs.