ATLANTA, GA (WKZO AM/FM) – A Kalamazoo couple who previously donated millions to create the medical school at Western Michigan University has now donated $100 million to a college in Georgia.
Spelman College in Atlanta will receive the largest single financial donation ever made to a historically Black college or university.
Billionaires Ronda Stryker and William Johnston will donate $100 million to the women’s college. Stryker is a member of Harvard Medical School’s board of fellows and a member of the college’s board of trustees. She is also the granddaughter of the founder of Stryker Corp., a medical device company. Her husband, Johnston, is the founder and board chairman of Greenleaf Trust, a wealth management firm in Michigan.
According to a statement from Spelman College President Dr. Helene Gayle, the college is both “invigorated and inspired” by the donation.
Most of Stryker and Johnston’s donation, $75 million, will fund endowed scholarships for future students, while the remaining $25 million will be used to “develop an academic focus on public policy and democracy, improve student housing and provide flexible funding to meet critical strategic needs,” according to a statement.
Stryker has been a Spelman trustee since 1997. She and Johnston gave Spelman $30 million in 2018. They also gave $100 million in 2011 to create the Homer Stryker medical school at Western Michigan University.
Comments