GLOUCESTER POINT — William & Mary’s Batten School of Coastal & Marine Sciences & VIMS embarked on a new chapter this week as they welcomed their inaugural class of undergraduate majors. Eleven students make up the first cohort, officially launching a unique coastal and marine sciences program combining classroom rigor with immersive field and research opportunities, backed by full tuition support thanks to a transformative $50 million donation from Dr. R. Todd Stravitz ’82 and the Brunckhorst Foundations.

“This new cohort of undergraduate majors will have unparalleled opportunities, learning side by side with our scientists as they tackle real-world challenges facing our oceans and coastal communities,” said Derek Aday, dean of the Batten School and director of the Virginia Institute o

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