WILLIAMSBURG — William & Mary announced it has received a first-of-its-kind gift from alum Darpan Kapadia, chief operating officer of LS Power and incoming chair of the W&M Foundation, and his wife, Erica Olan, directly supporting enrollment.
Through a combined focus on admissions, marketing, scholarships and counselor engagement, the gift will strengthen recruitment of out-of-state students who may not be aware of all that William & Mary has to offer, the university said.
“This investment in future students is a game-changer. It enables us to spread the word nationwide that William & Mary is the place to come and grow as a discerning leader. We warmly thank Darpan and Erica for their farsighted generosity,” William & Mary President Katherine A. Rowe said.
The gift is the first of its kind supporting William & Mary admission efforts, the university said, and expands its presence nationally through increased outreach to high school counselors and students across the country, starting in the Northeast. The gift comes at a time when the population of 18-year-olds is projected to decrease dramatically, prompting concerns about an “enrollment cliff,” it added.
“This is a moment for William & Mary to play offense,” Kapadia (’95) told W&M News. “In a world dominated by a lot of noise and distraction, being grounded in a real community of people who genuinely care is incredibly important — and that’s exactly what William & Mary provides. We need to be out there telling our story in a powerful way and reaching students across the country. It’s a compelling story, and it’s easy to tell — because it’s true.”
William & Mary said it will initially expand recruitment efforts in Connecticut, New York and New Jersey. Plans include hosting high school counselors for a campus visit in the spring, with a more active regional presence beginning next fall. Over time, the effort will be rolled out nationally, including a marketing campaign and social media strategy, and includes scholarship funds to make William & Mary’s financial aid offers more competitive for out-of-state students and continued support for internships.
Representatives from William & Mary will also increase visits to high schools in the Northeast and other regions, attending more college fairs and admission events, and partner with the alumni network to increase awareness of the university.
The total amount of the gift has not been disclosed at the request of the donor.
