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Spelman College, a renowned private women’s college in Atlanta, is on the brink of receiving a transformative $100 million donation from philanthropists Ronda Stryker and William Johnston. This monumental gift not only marks the largest in the college’s 143-year history but stands as the most substantial single donation ever made to a Historically Black College or University (HBCU).
Dr. Helene Gayle, president of Spelman College, expressed profound gratitude for the unprecedented act of generosity. She stated, “We are invigorated and inspired by this incredible act of generosity. This gift is a critical step in our school’s mission to eliminate financial barriers to starting and finishing a Spelman education.”
Ronda Stryker, a distinguished businesswoman and member of Harvard Medical School’s board of fellows, along with her husband William Johnston, the chairman of Greenleaf Trust, is the driving force behind this historic donation. With an estimated net worth of $7.4 billion, Stryker is the granddaughter of orthopedic surgeon Homer Stryker, founder of medical equipment manufacturer Stryker Corporation.
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The generous donation, announced on January 18, is set to be allocated strategically to propel Spelman’s mission forward. The lion’s share, $75 million, will be directed towards endowed scholarships, ensuring future generations of students have access to the unparalleled education Spelman offers. The remaining $25 million will fund initiatives ranging from student housing improvements to academic programs focused on public policy and democracy, as well as addressing other critical college needs.
The couple, known for their commitment to philanthropy, founded the Stryker Johnston Foundation in 1995, dedicated to ending intergenerational poverty in Kalamazoo County. Over the years, their foundation has made substantial contributions to local organizations, including $57.7 million to Kalamazoo’s Foundation for Excellence in 2019, addressing systemic challenges in the area.
Stryker and Johnston have also been steadfast patrons of educational institutions. In 2011, they donated over $100 million to establish a new medical school at Western Michigan University, followed by a $20 million pledge in 2016 to Harvard’s Department of Global Health and Social Medicine. Spelman College has previously benefited from their philanthropy, receiving a $30 million donation in 2018 and the establishment of a $2 million matching fund in 2020.
The timing of this remarkable donation coincides with Spelman College’s centennial anniversary of its official naming, adding an extra layer of significance to the generous gift. This historic contribution to Spelman mirrors a broader trend of increased support for HBCUs, as evidenced by the United Negro College Fund receiving a separate $100 million donation from the Lilly Endowment Inc. on January 11.
“I feel strongly that education can be both powerful and transformational, especially for women,” said Stryker, who has been a trustee of Spelman College since 1997. “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.”