*Spelman College has received the largest gift from living donors in its 137-year history from long-standing trustee Ronda Stryker and spouse William Johnston. The $30 million gift will help build the Center for Innovation & the Arts, the College’s first new academic facility since 1996, according to the press release.
“As former educators who believe strongly in social justice, Bill and I have great appreciation for how Spelman provides a superior education for students that encourages them to be global change agents,” said Stryker.
“Spelman alumnae are leaders across every field imaginable, breaking new ground, while tackling some of the world’s most challenging issues from health disparities to the digital divide. We are thrilled to support a building that will encourage students to master technology, innovation and the arts.”
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Spelman College has received the largest gift from living donors in its 137-year history from Spelman trustee Ronda Stryker & spouse William Johnston. The $30 million gift will help build the Center for Innovation & the Arts. https://t.co/FgIz53bSu5 pic.twitter.com/VUK4I9DIGM
— Spelman College (@SpelmanCollege) December 13, 2018
Styker is director of the medical equipment company Stryker Corp., as well as vice chair and director of Greenleaf Trust, an investment bank chaired by Johnston. She joined Spelman’s board of trustees in 1997.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the largest donation Spelman ever received came in 1992 when the estate of Reader’s Digest founder DeWitt Wallace gave $37 million.
“With this historic gift, yet again, Ronda’s support will be transformational,” said Mary Schmidt Campbell, Spelman’s president. “Her contribution ensures that Spelman students will be prepared to tackle the challenges of our changing world through innovation, creativity and the dynamic intersection of science, technology, engineering, arts and math.”
Support from the Stryker family has benefitted numerous other Spelman initiatives, including the Spelman College Museum of Fine Arts, science initiatives, summer internships, the Annual Fund, the President’s Safety Net Fund, and renovations to Sisters Chapel and the Wellness Center at Read Hall.
“This grant to Spelman College and the Atlanta University Center will encourage and support greater diversity within the Arts, expand inclusion efforts in the museum community and inspire the next generation of art and museum leadership,” foundation board member Alice Walton said in a statement to The AJC.
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