William & Mary Receives $30 Million Donation for Transformational Academic Facility
In an extraordinary act of generosity, an anonymous trustee and alumna of William & Mary Foundation has pledged $30 million toward the renovation of a nearly century-old residential building into a cutting-edge, multidisciplinary academic facility aimed at addressing global challenges. The facility will be named Gates Hall, in honor of William and Mary alumnus and current chancellor, Robert Gates, a former Secretary of Defense under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama.
Gates, reflecting on his own experiences at William & Mary, emphasized the institution’s enduring commitment to public service and making a difference in the world. Gates Hall is envisioned as a vibrant hub where future generations of students and faculty will gather to spark innovative ideas and solutions with a global impact.
The renovated building will bring together three pivotal centers under one roof: The Global Research Institute, the Institute for Integrative Conservation, and the Whole of Government Center of Excellence. These centers, already collaborating on various international projects, will benefit from a shared space designed to foster synergy and advance their collective mission of global research and education.
The chosen site for Gates Hall has a rich historical tapestry. Brown Hall, the 94-year-old building set for transformation, has served various roles—from housing for Methodist women to accommodation for Army soldiers, and most recently, a freshman dorm before its closure in 2021. Notably, the building also occupies the historical site of Williamsburg’s Bray School, attended by both enslaved and free Black children in the 1700s. The new Gates Hall will incorporate exhibits to honor and recount the stories of the Bray School’s students, adding a profound historical dimension to its modern mission.
Slated for completion in the first half of 2026, Gates Hall stands as a testament to William & Mary’s ambitious vision for the future—a future where education and research converge to solve the pressing issues facing our nation and the world.