July 25, 2024 — One of Virginia’s top universities will dedicate a $100 million donation to revamping its marine science school and attracting researchers to help students understand the evolving impacts of climate change.
The College of William & Mary announced Wednesday it i received the gift from philanthropist Jane Batten to rename its School of Marine Science at the Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences to the Batten School of Coastal & Marine Sciences and bolster its resources to study a range of topics including sea level rise, increased storm intensity, loss of agricultural land and impaired water quality, issues that especially impact Virginia.
“This gift propels us forward toward great promise and progress,” Batten said in a statement. “I am confident that this will spark significant change, building resilience in coastal communities in the Commonwealth and across the globe for generations to come.”