Renowned billionaire hedge fund manager Ken Griffin has made headlines by calling on Harvard University to uphold “western values” amidst the ongoing cultural revolution in US education. Griffin, the founder of Citadel, a $63 billion hedge fund, and a major donor to Harvard, expressed concerns about the current state of education in the US, stating that the focus on truth and knowledge has been lost over the past decade.
The turmoil on college campuses, including Harvard, Stanford, and MIT, has been fueled by protests against Israel’s actions in Gaza, leading to clashes between wealthy donors and student activists. Bill Ackman, another hedge fund billionaire, successfully campaigned for the resignation of Harvard’s president, while Marc Rowan of Apollo Global Management sparked a debate about governance at the University of Pennsylvania.
Griffin criticized the current state of American education, describing the protests on college campuses as “performative art” that does little to address real-world issues. He emphasized the importance of practical help in humanitarian crises, rather than symbolic gestures.
As one of Harvard’s largest donors, Griffin has been vocal about his concerns regarding the university’s handling of issues such as antisemitism and diversity, equity, and inclusion policies. With Harvard facing a leadership crisis and a $50 billion endowment, Griffin urged the institution to prioritize meritocracy and western values in educating future leaders.
Griffin’s stance on free speech and the role of wealthy donors in influencing universities has sparked a debate about the direction of higher education in the US. Despite the withdrawal of funding by some donors, Griffin emphasized the importance of Harvard serving as a beacon of truth-seeking and meritocracy in these challenging times.