Ringling College of Art and Design celebrates a momentous day in the institution’s history with the announcement of the college’s single largest gift and the very first eight-figure gift since its founding in 1931.

Donated by the philanthropist pair of Drs. Joel and Gail Morganroth, the $15 million gift will support many aspects and functions of Ringling College, including scholarships, programming and projects like the Sarasota Museum of Art, but also the creation of the first endowed department head at Ringling College, and for its newest major—Virtual Reality Development. A member of the Ringling College Board of Trustees for three years, Dr. Joel Morganroth credits the leadership of Ringling College President Dr. Larry Thompson, and the transformation that the college has seen under his 19-year tenure, as the inspiration behind the gift.

“Under his leadership, the College has expanded and progressed along multiple axes, including curriculum, enrollment and capital building projects,” says Dr. Joel Morganroth. And seeing the college once again on the forefront, this time in virtual reality, he saw an opportunity to not only make a gift to the community, but invest in its future. “We wanted to make a significant contribution to something that we believe in,” he says. “We continue to want to be a part of an institution that is always looking to the future, to stay relevant and affect change. So it made sense to us to make a major investment in Ringling College.”

“Our vision is to be the preeminent art and design college in the world and we are on a very fast track to get there,” says Thompson. “Indeed, we are so close we can almost touch it. This gift from Joel and Gail brings us closer and closer to that goal.”