WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — William & Mary just welcomed its first-ever class of undergraduates studying coastal and marine sciences, the only program of its kind at a Virginia public university.

The 11 students in the inaugural class will get hands-on fieldwork and research experience through the Batten School of Coastal & Marine Sciences and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS).

The program is backed by major donations, including $50 million from alumnus Dr. R. Todd Stravitz and $100 million from Jane Batten. Those gifts cover full tuition for students and fund research and faculty positions.

University leaders call the launch a milestone for Virginia and say it will prepare students to take on challenges facing oceans and coastal communities.

For students like Elias Mitrokostas a

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