The Batza Family Foundation donates $1M to Goucher College’s new Science Innovation Center

Goucher College is proud to announce a $1 million gift to the college from the Batza Family Foundation, which is founded by Patricia K. Batza ’91 and Michael J. Batza Jr. The leadership gift for the Science Innovation Center will support the construction and equipping of the new facility’s greenhouse, which will be named in the Batza family’s honor in recognition of their philanthropy.

With nearly every Goucher student having to take some form of a science course, the Science Innovation Center will support the success of future generations of students. Building the Science Innovation Center is the final stage of Goucher’s [UNDAUNTED] comprehensive capital campaign. The annex to the Hoffberger Science Building will offer state-of-the-art labs and learning spaces and create dynamic new interdisciplinary learning environments.

“Pattie and Mike are exemplary and cherished members of the Goucher community, and we are grateful for their generous and continued support,” said Goucher College President Kent Devereaux. “The new Science Innovation Center will be transformational for Goucher. It will profoundly impact our students and offer our faculty enhanced teaching and research opportunities.”

Pattie Batza has been a Goucher College Board of Trustees member for more than 20 years and has previously served the board as vice chair and secretary. She was named an inaugural charter trustee member and recognized for providing distinguished and meritorious service and leadership to the college.

In 2013, Pattie and Mike received the John Franklin Goucher award for their distinguished service to the greater Baltimore community and Goucher College. They established the Michael J. & Patricia K. Batza Foundation, and their service and philanthropy have benefited numerous educational, medical, and religious organizations throughout the region. In addition, the Batzas were recently recognized by The Baltimore Sun’s 2023 business and civic hall of fame for their decades of community leadership, philanthropic support, and service.

“The philanthropic spirit embodied by Pattie and Mike is inspiring—they lead by example and with their whole heart,” said Michele Ewing, vice president of advancement at Goucher College. “Their connection and commitment to supporting their greater community encourages others to consider giving back, regardless of the level, to enhance important causes and advocate for organizations they believe in.”

The Science Innovation Center will allow for the expansion of faculty research and student research opportunities like Goucher’s Summer Science Research program, which offers undergraduate students hands-on research experience in the lab under the supervision of esteemed faculty members. The facility will also allow for Goucher’s prestigious Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Program to expand and help prepare more students to study medicine. In addition, biology, chemistry, environmental science, physics, data analytics, cognitive psychology, and computer science classes will take place in the new space.

For more information on the Science Innovation Center, visit undaunted.goucher.edu.