Philanthropic Gesture: Kalamazoo Couple’s $100 Million Donation to Spelman College Marks a Milestone
A Legacy of Generosity
In an extraordinary act of philanthropy, Kalamazoo businesswoman and philanthropist Ronda Stryker and her husband, William Johnston, the chairman of Greenleaf Trust, have bestowed upon Spelman College, a historically Black women’s liberal arts college in Atlanta, a transformative gift of $100 million. This donation stands as the largest in the institution’s history and sets a new benchmark for historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs).
Ronda Stryker, a dedicated trustee of Spelman College since 1997, is also a director at Kalamazoo-based Stryker Corp., where she holds the distinction of being the largest individual shareholder. Her commitment to philanthropy extends to her role as vice chair and director at Greenleaf Trust.
Spelman College: A Beacon of Academic Excellence
Spelman College, a beacon of academic excellence since its founding in 1881, has nurtured the intellectual growth of approximately 2,300 students. The college’s unwavering dedication to empowering young women has earned it the distinction of being ranked number one among HBCUs for an impressive 17 consecutive years by U.S. News & World Report. Furthermore, Spelman College holds the remarkable distinction of graduating the most Black women who go on to pursue and attain doctoral degrees in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM).
Transformational Gift to Empower Young Women
This monumental gift, hailed as a “transformational gift to any institution, period” by Lovette Russell, the college’s board chair, will be judiciously allocated to support endowed student scholarships ($75 million) and an array of initiatives aimed at developing an academic focus on public policy and democracy, enhancing student housing, and providing flexible funding to address critical strategic needs ($25 million).
President Helene Gayle of Spelman College expressed her profound gratitude for this extraordinary act of generosity, acknowledging its profound impact on the institution’s mission to eliminate financial barriers and ensure that every deserving student has the opportunity to pursue and complete a Spelman education. She extolled Ronda Stryker’s unwavering selflessness and support, both as a trustee and a cherished friend, emphasizing that Spelman College has been indelibly enriched by her involvement.
A Legacy of Philanthropy
The Stryker-Johnston duo has a long and distinguished history of philanthropic endeavors, consistently demonstrating their commitment to making a positive impact on their community and beyond. In 2013, they made a significant $100 million donation to the Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, named after Stryker’s grandfather. Their Stryker Johnston Foundation further exemplified their philanthropic spirit with a $57.7 million donation to the Foundation for Excellence in 2019, followed by an additional $28.2 million in 2020. The Foundation for Excellence was established in 2017 with the noble mission of fostering collaboration between philanthropy and municipal finance in Kalamazoo.
Ronda Stryker’s remarkable generosity has earned her a prominent position on Forbes’ 2023 list of the wealthiest Americans, ranking 128th with an estimated net worth of $7.4 billion.
Investing in the Future of Young Women
The Stryker-Johnston donation to Spelman College is not merely a financial investment; it is an investment in the future of young women, empowering them to pursue their academic aspirations and make meaningful contributions to society. The impact of this transformative gift will reverberate for generations to come, shaping the lives of countless young women and fostering a more just and equitable world.