The Gateway Program has become a remarkable example of the College’s commitment to educating Virginia’s best and brightest, no matter their ability to pay. Unfortunately, the Gateway Program also risked becoming a remarkable example of insolvency. Or at least it did until this week.
We applaud the Board of Visitors’ dedication to building the initiative’s endowment, beginning with its members’ $1 million pledge. Coupled with the $1.5 million already in the account and a $5 million pledge from Joan Jarret Woods ’40, the BOV’s goal of $10 million for the year seems imminently reachable. Although they’ll need another $70 million to fully fund the program, this is a good start — they’re acting on their promise to support what former College President Gene Nichol stood for.
