$150 million in gifts from Jane Batten and Dr. R. Todd Stravitz drive record-breaking giving at 332 year old college

In the first seven months of 2025, William & Mary experienced a historic wave of philanthropy, helping the university surpass $240 million in fundraising for fiscal year 2025 — the most successful year in its 332-year history.

At the center of this unprecedented momentum were two transformational leadership gifts.

Jane Batten made a $100 million commitment — the largest gift in William & Mary’s history — to establish the Batten School of Coastal & Marine Sciences.

The new school, developed in partnership with the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, will position W&M as a global leader in coastal resilience, equipping scientists and policy leaders to respond to the urgent challenges of climate change, sea-level rise, and environmental degradation affecting billions of people worldwide.

Building on that landmark moment, Dr. R. Todd Stravitz and the Brunckhorst Foundations pledged $50 million to create the R. Todd Stravitz Scholars Program.

Their gift will provide full tuition support for students pursuing W&M’s new bachelor’s degree in coastal and marine sciences, making it one of the only programs of its kind in the nation to be fully tuition-free for future generations.

It is the most significant scholarship gift in the university’s history, ensuring that the field will be accessible to the most promising minds, regardless of their financial circumstances.

Together, the Batten and Stravitz gifts account for more than half of the total funds raised during the fiscal year, setting a powerful tone for William & Mary’s future: a university increasingly recognized not just for its heritage, but for its bold commitment to innovation, equity, and real-world impact.