Ken Griffin's $300 Million Gift To Harvard University Leads To The School's Renaming

In light of Ken Griffin's recent $300 million donation to Harvard University, which is among the largest gifts in the university's history, the school announced on Tuesday it will rename its Graduate School of Arts and Sciences after him.

‍

There are now three people in the history of the University, who have benefited by large donations to the university, who have been honored with a renaming of a school in their honor: Griffin, the CEO and founder of Citadel Securities as well as

‍

Who is Ken Griffin?

Among Griffin's many accomplishments, he is known for a couple things: his wealth and his ample contribution to Republican candidates and campaigns.

‍

He gave more than $60 million to federal Republican candidates last election cycle, according to Politico. According to Trade Algo, Griffin has the 35th highest net worth in the world.

‍

According to the news site, Griffin donated more than $5 million during the last election cycle to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' reelection campaign. DeSantis is regarded as a far-right candidate by conservatives for his far-right policies, and he has made headlines for suggesting he run for president in 2024.

‍

In spite of Griffin's cash flow, not only Republicans have been able to benefit. According to Harvard Magazine, he also contributes to a number of institutions, including the University of Chicago, the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry, and the Museum of Modern Art in New York; he also donates to universities and schools.

‍

Earlier this year, Griffin made headlines when he gave Harvard College the largest-ever gift, marking a major achievement for the university. As a result of this gift, primarily directed towards the university's financial aid program, Harvard College remains the place that has received the largest amount of money ever donated by a single donor to undergraduate financial aid and Harvard College.

‍

‍

Harvard University has received a major gift from Griffin

It is the first time Griffin has donated to Harvard without a restriction. His latest gift is an unrestricted gift to the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. According to the Harvard Gazette, the funds will enable researchers to conduct cutting-edge research and expand access to excellence and access to education no matter what their economic situation is.

‍

Griffin recently told USA Today, "I am excited to become a part of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Harvard, which is committed to such important work, as well as the advancement of ideas that will shape humanity's future, while providing important insight into its past. I look forward to being a part of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Harvard."

‍

There has also been a previous contribution from Griffin to the Harvard Graduate School of Education, Harvard Business School, Harvard Law School, and Harvard University.

‍

In a statement to the Gazette, Harvard President Larry Bacow said that “Ken has demonstrated exceptional generosity and steadfast commitment to Harvard’s mission of excellence and opportunity.” The choice he made to support FAS underscores that education can transform lives and can also expand our research reach across every field of study. The experience I have had with Ken during my presidency has been a great pleasure, and I am deeply appreciative of the trust he has placed in us during my tenure - and in our mission - as we strive to make the world a better place."

‍

The reaction to Griffin's donation has been mixed

People on both sides of the political spectrum are disdainful of Griffin's donation to Harvard, with people across political lines expressing their displeasure with his generosity.

‍

As a result of Griffin's donation, conservative commentator Mike Cernovich launched a Twitter attack against him.

‍

Cernovich, in a letter to his son, wrote that this amount could have been used to do many good things for the country, but instead, he financed communist parties.

‍

As a result, progressive activist Alejandra Caraballo, a Harvard Law School instructor, and social activist, has expressed concern about Harvard accepting this donation.

‍

She wrote that despite the size of her endowment, no amount of money can ever be enough to pay off the debts. This is exactly how the wealthy use power to capture institutions.