The following story originally appeared on the website for William & Mary’s Batten School & VIMS. – Ed.

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 of Marine Science (VIMS). “By contributing to research that delivers science for solutions, these students will be exceptionally well-prepared for the future. I am deeply grateful to the university, the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia and the many faculty, staff, alumni and supporters whose vision and hard work made this major a reality, and to Dr. Todd Stravitz and Jane Batten for their partnership and tremendous generosity.”

A degree like no other

The program is the first undergraduate major in coastal and marine sciences at a Virginia public university, with the majority of the first cohort being in-state students. It offers undergraduates unprecedented access to the expertise and resources at the Batten School & VIMS. Because of VIMS’ unique state advisory role, students will be able to engage in science with real-world impact as they begin pursuing the major.

The major stands on a foundation of remarkable philanthropy, thanks to the Stravitz gift and Jane Batten’s HON ’17, L.H.D. ’19 historic $100 million donation, which funds student research opportunities, campus renovations and the hiring of new faculty. 

“This week marks a historic milestone for Virginia and William & Mary. The launch of this major is a defining moment in our Year of the Environment, underscoring the university’s commitment to a sustainable future,” said W&M Provost Peggy Agouris. “Consistent with William & Mary’s commitment to advancing knowledge as an R1 research institution, we are dedicated to ensuring that future generations of scientists will be ready to take on the most pressing challenges facing coastal communities and marine ecosystems.”

One hallmark of the new major is an immersion semester, which takes place in the first fall semester after students are admitted into the program. During this semester, they gain intensive field and lab experiences, critical thinking and quantitative skills through the unique coursework offered exclusively on the Batten School & VIMS campus. After completion of their immersion semester, each student is eligible to receive up to $5,000 in Active Learning Funds, allowing them to pursue research projects, study abroad opportunities or internships. 

Assistant Teaching Professor Sarah Black recently joined the Batten School & VIMS, her position supported by Batten’s gift. She will be teaching a course focused on field work and research methods. “If I could have written a description for my perfect job, it would’ve been this — a teaching-focused position at a research institution where I get to mentor students while collaborating with and learning from other faculty engaged in really impactful work,” she said.  “I’m excited to get to know the students; I just hope that I can be who they need me to be.”

Students will also be mentored by graduate students and faculty from the Batten School’s M.A., M.S. and Ph.D. programs, creating a learning environment that exposes them to advanced research and future pathways while developing a sense of community. 

‘A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity‘

Elias Mitrokostas and Naomi Heilen, both starting their third year at W&M, shared a sense of disbelief in the timing of the new major.

“It feels serendipitous – it’s so amazing to me that this program came to fruition just in time for me to be a part of it,” said Heilen, a resident of Northern Virginia whose lifelong passion for the ocean became a professional ambition after she discovered the interdisciplinary breadth of marine science in a high-school elective course. 

Mitrokostas’ interest in marine science stemmed from summers spent exploring tidepools in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. He described the opportunity as a dream come true: “I’m just a guy who loves the ocean and somehow stumbled into this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I’m grateful for every bit of it.”

Both students learned about the tuition support only after they applied to the major. 

“I was aware that a portion of Jane Batten’s gift would support our research endeavors, but I had no idea when I applied that tuition was fully covered thanks to Dr. Stravitz’s gift,” said Mitrokostas. “Knowing how much has been given to make this possible makes me feel so grateful. It’s profoundly generous.”

Heilen is hopeful that the major will cultivate future generations of experts empowered to create a better, more sustainable world. 

“One of the most important things we can do in life is to take care of what sustains us, and research is key to understanding how to do that,” said Heilen. “If I can convince people through my work that their actions matter, then to me that feels like making a difference.”