William & Mary’s Batten School & VIMS: An Extraordinary Year for Coastal & Marine Sciences

This year marked a turning point for the Batten School & VIMS as we redefined what it means to educate the next generation of coastal and marine scientists. Historic philanthropic investments teed up the launch of Virginia’s first undergraduate program in coastal and marine sciences at a public university while strengthening our foundation and expanding opportunities for students to engage in solutions-driven science. Our students conducted research that contributed to our state advisory mandate while leading high-impact studies that expanded scientific knowledge and prepared them for careers in the public and private sectors.

From monitoring key indicators of the Bay’s health and discovering new species to advising policymakers on issues like coastal resilience and fisheries management, the Batten School & VIMS continued to deliver science with global impact and local relevance. Our researchers and advisory experts advanced understanding of critical issues while upholding our statutory mandate to provide unbiased, science-based guidance to the Commonwealth of Virginia – including integrating our expertise in environmental modeling into a new Center for Excellence in Environmental Forecasting to benefit coastal communities and civic planners. Each study, discovery and policy briefing reflects our enduring commitment to translating research into real-world solutions that protect and sustain coastal and marine ecosystems and the communities that depend on them.

Public education and outreach remained central to our mission this year as the Batten School & VIMS inspired curiosity and stewardship across generations. Through campus events, K–12 programs, public lectures and hands-on learning experiences, we engaged more than 30,000 people. From Marine Science Day and the “Waves of Wonder” arts collaboration to immersive summer camps for elementary and middle schoolers, we continued to connect science with society and empowered community members to understand, value and care for the coastal and marine environments that shape our world. Future campus transformations stemming from Jane Batten’s generous donation will greatly expand our ability to connect with the public in experiential ways.

The extraordinary generosity of our supporters was more important than ever as the landscape for scientific funding shifted in the second part of the fiscal year. Forward-thinking, transformative commitments in support of academics and public outreach will underpin future generations of coastal and marine experts while creating exciting new opportunities for community engagement. Whether our donors stepped up through unrestricted gifts to our Impact Fund, included the Batten School & VIMS in their estate plans, participated in One Tribe One Day, established new endowed scholarships or made directed gifts, they all played a vital role in advancing our mission. Through careful stewardship of these gifts, we will expand society’s understanding of coastal and marine ecosystems, develop practical solutions to tomorrow's problems, support coastal communities and train and inspire future stewards of our environment.

The Batten School & VIMS remain on a solid financial footing. In FY25, the Commonwealth of Virginia reaffirmed its commitment to coastal science and resilience through targeted investments in areas such as aquaculture, water-quality, fisheries, submerged aquatic vegetation, the Clean Marina Program, and coastal resilience modeling and environmental forecasting. Federal funding remained strong, supporting cutting-edge science tackling regional and global challenges. We will continue monitoring changes in federal funding priorities, routinely assess our strategic plans and steward our resources to ensure we carry out all facets of our increasingly-important mission.