Spelman College receives $100 million donation, another historic donation for Atlanta HBCUs

Spelman College recently received a $100 million financial gift from Trustee Ronda Stryker and her husband, William Johnston. (Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder)

Early on an unforgivingly cold January morning, hundreds of young women rolled out of bed and packed the Sisters Chapel at Spelman College to capacity. 

The students were told that the morning assembly was a celebration of a landmark; 2024 marks 100 years since the Spelman Baptist Seminary became Spelman College. But the gathering was also the setting for a surprise announcement. 

“As a student, I experienced the powers of this historic institution and how it transforms the futures of talented young women,” started Lovette Russell, a Spelman graduate from the class of 1983 and the College’s board chair.