Harvard University faces a potential financial setback as billionaire hedge fund manager Kenneth C. Griffin has announced a pause in his donations to the university. Griffin, who previously donated $300 million to the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, made this decision during a keynote address in Miami. He expressed dissatisfaction with Harvard’s direction, calling for a return to educating young Americans to be leaders and problem solvers rather than endorsing what he views as a far-left progressive ideology, including Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs.
Griffin, the owner and CEO of Citadel, voiced his disapproval of what he referred to as “whiny snowflakes” and criticized the university for being lost in the “wilderness of microaggressions” and an indefinite DEI agenda. Notably, he emphasized that he won’t support Harvard until it clarifies its commitment to its original mission. Additionally, Griffin supported fellow billionaire Bill Ackman’s decision not to hire students who signed an open letter calling for a boycott of Israel after an attack by Hamas in October.
The billionaire donor, who graduated from Harvard in 1988, has contributed a remarkable $500 million to the university throughout his career. His decision to halt donations may have significant financial implications for Harvard, already facing donor backlash. Griffin is the second billionaire donor to suspend contributions in recent months, following philanthropist Leonard V. Blavatnik. The announcement comes amid controversies at Harvard, including the resignation of its far-left president, Claudine Gay, who faced criticism for not condemning calls for genocide by Harvard students and allegations of plagiarism.
It’s worth noting that the information is presented from a conservative perspective, emphasizing concerns about Harvard’s ideological direction and the potential financial impact of donor dissatisfaction.