"William & Mary will expand its coastal and marine sciences research with the help of a $100 million donation from local philanthropist Jane Batten. The university announced its largest donation in its 331-year history Wednesday.

The donation toward the newly-named Batten School of Coastal and Marine Sciences will support William & Mary’s existing marine science program at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science. With the donation, the university will establish a Bachelor of Science degree in marine science, the first of its kind at a public university in Virginia, university officials confirmed.

The Batten School will be located along the York River in Gloucester Point, Va., nearly 20 miles from William & Mary’s main campus in Williamsburg. The school is surrounded by wetlands, marshes and coastal waters.

'There’s just such a high level [of interest] among young people in environmental issues across all disciplines, and this helps educate a whole new army of young people to go out and attack this very critical problem,' Batten said.

A portion of the donation will directly support students through scholarships, fellowships, internships and funding for research equipment, Aday said.

William & Mary currently offers graduate and doctoral degree programs in marine sciences. With the new gift, it plans to admit undergraduate marine science students starting in the fall of 2025," reported the Washington Post.

Photo: Jane Batten has donated $100 million to William & Mary to support its Batten School of Coastal & Marine Sciences. (William & Mary’s Batten School of Coastal & Marine Sciences)