Gift to expand William & Mary's enrollment reach

Support from LS Power COO Darpan Kapadia launches a bold enrollment initiative to elevate the university's national presence and attract top students from across the country

WILLIAMSBURG, Va., Sept. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Darpan Kapadia and his wife, Erica Olan, are making a first-of-its-kind gift to William & Mary directly supporting enrollment. Through a combined focus on admissions, marketing, scholarships and counselor engagement, the gift will strengthen recruitment of exceptional out-of-state students who may not be aware of all that William & Mary has to offer.

"This investment in future students is a game-changer. It enables us to spread the word nationwide that William & Mary is the place to come and grow as a discerning leader," said President Katherine A. Rowe. "We warmly thank Darpan and Erica for their farsighted generosity."

These efforts continue Kapadia's support for the university's priorities of national preeminence and career development. The gift also comes at a time when universities are preparing for a decline in the population of college-age students nationally.

Initially, William & Mary will expand recruitment efforts in the tri-state area of Connecticut, New York and New Jersey with this new investment. Plans include hosting high school counselors for a campus visit in the spring, with a more active regional presence beginning next fall. Over time, the effort will be rolled out nationally. The initiative will include scholarship funds to make William & Mary's financial aid offers more competitive for out-of-state students and continue support for internships.

"With this new initiative, we can share William & Mary's value proposition with a broader audience, do so more intentionally, amplify our national presence and unlock the full potential of this great university. It's exciting to think about," said Kapadia, who is incoming chair of the W&M Foundation and a member of the Class of 1995.

Lisa Keegan, William & Mary's inaugural vice provost for enrollment strategy, emphasizes that reaching Virginia students will continue to be an important focus for the university, long considered a "public ivy."

"We're always going to be working on our recruitment and enrollment strategy in the Commonwealth," she said. "This gift will provide resources for us to expand our recruitment efforts outside Virginia."

Additional quotes and background are available in an expanded release on the university website.

SOURCE William & Mary