Thanks to a $30 million gift from Ronda Stryker and her spouse William Johnston, the Spelman College will establish a Center for Innovation and the Arts.
The new academic facility, which will be set up at the current parking lot at Spelman at the corner of Westview Drive and Lee Street, will stimulate research using innovation and creativity through the dynamic intersection of science, technology, engineering, arts, and math.
“Ronda Stryker has been staunchly committed to the mission and ideals of Spelman College for more than 20 years. She has been an unstinting advocate for our students and has supported a wide range of strategic initiatives, critical to Spelman’s longterm sustainability and the success of our students,” Spelman president Mary Schmidt Campbell said.
“With this historic gift, yet again, Ronda’s support will be transformational. 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 (also known as STEAM).”
The college has estimated that building the center will cost $86 million and has raised more than one-third of the amount from other donors.
“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, who is a director of the medical equipment company Stryker Corp. and Spelman trustee.
The consistent support from Stryker has earlier helped the college in various initiatives, including science initiatives, summer internships, the Spelman college museum of Fine Arts, the Annual Fund, the President’s Safety Net Fund, the Wellness Center at Read Hall and renovations to Sisters Chapel.
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