WILLIAMSBURG — William & Mary announced it has received the largest-ever gift to a university in support of coastal and marine science education, research and solutions to establish the Batten School of Coastal & Marine Sciences.
The university received what it called a “transformational” $100 million gift from philanthropist Jane Batten which it said will position it and its Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) as the premier destination for developing solutions to the existential threats global changes pose to marine systems and to billions of people who live near coastlines.
W&M noted it is the largest gift in its 331-year history.
Through this gift, Batten is calling on the global community to unite in supporting the school’s groundbreaking research and innovation, it said.
“William & Mary has long been at the vanguard of research tackling urgent local, national and international challenges. No institution is better positioned to address global change,” said President Katherine Rowe. “By investing in bold ideas and new partnerships, the Batten School will power ‘science for solutions’ for Virginia and the world.”
Rapid global change — a term that encompasses more than just climate change — is greatly deteriorating ecological, economic, and social stability in coastal communities and marine systems, according to the university. It impacts approximately 3.2 billion people worldwide, including 128 million in the U.S. who live near coastlines. In Virginia alone, it affects nearly five million people who live in coastal regions.
“This gift propels us forward toward great promise and progress,” Batten said. “I am confident that it will spark significant change, building resilience in coastal communities in the Commonwealth and across the globe for generations to come.”
The university has set a goal of raising at least another $100 million from state, federal and private sources to realize fully the vision for the school, it said.
“I’m calling on fellow philanthropists, government leaders, alumni and friends to join me in taking action,” Batten added. “I’ve always believed that philanthropy is not just something you should do, it is something that is a privilege to do. I’m privileged to be able to give to something that will be a game-changer for the world.”
Batten, who is not a W&M alumna, believes that the best way to tackle some of the greatest global threats is by giving to and through William & Mary, it said, adding her confidence in the university’s leadership and vision underscores her commitment to seeing support grow and inspire others to join this crucial effort.
The Batten School will be located on the York River in Gloucester Point, offering it the ideal setting for coastal and marine research and education, surrounded by wetlands, marshes and coastal waters, the university noted.
“We have a geographical advantage, expertise advantage and historical presence in this area. We also have the breadth and depth in coastal and marine systems to allow us to take on very significant challenges that other places aren’t equipped for,” said Dean of the Batten School and Director of VIMS Derek Aday. “With this unprecedented gift, we will not only advance critical research and inform policy but also train the next generation of scientists, thought leaders and engaged citizens, preparing them to navigate the complexities of global change in this century.”
According to the university, the Batten School will focus on:
- Attracting Great Minds: Establishing a clear identity as the premier global institution for coastal and marine sciences, we will attract top students and scientists and engage stakeholders to maximize science for solutions.
- A Global Destination: Transformational changes at the Gloucester Point campus include new infrastructure that will build community, serve the public with engaging educational opportunities and present emerging solutions.
- Coordination & Partnerships: As the Commonwealth of Virginia’s hub and a global leader for coastal and marine sciences, we will provide responsive policy, innovative teaching and broad engagement with public and private partners across the world.
- Leading-Edge Degree Programs: Launching a new bachelor’s degree program, expanding graduate opportunities and alternative credentials across William & Mary’s diverse academic schools and research institutes.
- Interdisciplinary Reach: Recruiting outstanding interdisciplinary scientists to address urgent coastal and marine challenges.
As a state agency, VIMS has a legal mandate to conduct research and provide scientific advice to the Commonwealth. Working hand in hand with one another, the Batten School will be positioned as the nation’s preeminent school for coastal and marine sciences, with the goal of offering a B.S. in addition to the existing M.A., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees.
“I’m thrilled for William & Mary and its Virginia Institute of Marine Science — that helped me save oysters and blue crabs when I was Governor — to have the opportunity to expand the reach of the School of Marine Science by establishing the new Batten School of Coastal and Marine Sciences,” said U.S. Senator Tim Kaine. “Hampton Roads is the second most vulnerable region in the country to the effects of sea level rise, so I couldn’t think of a better place to establish this new school. I’m looking forward to helping this school be an innovator and problem solver to address issues of climate change and sea level rise and strengthen our efforts to improve coastal resiliency and biodiversity.”
The university also recently announced that it will seek to establish a bachelor’s degree in marine science, the first public undergraduate marine science degree in Virginia.
Jane Batten and her late husband Frank Batten served on William & Mary’s Board of Visitors in the 1990s, along with their children Dorothy Batten and Frank Batten Jr.
The Batten family has established the Batten Foundation Scholarship Endowment at the Raymond A. Mason School of Business and the Frank Batten Sr. MBA Investment Fund Endowment. They also created the business school’s Center for Online Learning to grow its portfolio of online graduate degree programs.
Jane Batten is actively involved with several local foundations, including the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the Hampton Roads Community Foundation.
“The Batten family legacy of giving continues to drive positive change worldwide. They are incredibly passionate about the Chesapeake Bay and other coastal systems, immensely knowledgeable about key issues and motivated to make a difference,” added Aday. “This gift is evidence of shared trust and mutual belief that together, along with our philanthropic partners, we can make a big difference in some of the most important systems on the planet.”
“Our work has positioned us as a global scientific leader, a respected educational partner and a trusted advisor on coastal and marine issues,” Aday added. “We are optimistic about our next chapter and hopeful that together, with partners across the globe, we can implement real change for the betterment of humanity.”
These focal points build on the university’s Vision 2026 water initiative, the university noted, elevating its commitment to innovative solutions that ensure the resilience of the world’s oceans, coasts and waterways.
