Len Blavatnik, Harvard Donors Express Support for Alan Garber’s Permanent Appointment as President

Updated August 3, 2024, at 11:11 a.m.

Harvard President Alan M. Garber ’76 will serve as the University’s fundraiser-in-chief for the next three years, after the Harvard Corporation stripped his interim tag on Friday.

The appointment demonstrates the governing boards’ faith that Garber can successfully continue his efforts to mend alumni relations and convince disillusioned donors that Harvard’s mission is still worth supporting. And it is already working.

Billionaire philanthropist Leonard V. Blavatnik, one of the most prominent Harvard donors to pause donations to the University over campus antisemitism, welcomed the Corporation’s decision in a statement to The Crimson on Saturday.

“I support Alan’s appointment,” Blavatnik said. “He has demonstrated a deep knowledge and love of Harvard. Just as important, he understands the serious and immediate need to address antisemitism on campus and has expressed his commitment to do whatever is necessary to change things for the better.”

Garber must now work to win back the support of Blavatnik, longtime Harvard donor Kenneth C. Griffin ’89, and other prominent philanthropists who have halted future contributions to Harvard until its leadership can demonstrate that it is committed to combatting antisemitism.

“I think this is a very important and deserved vote of confidence in Alan, in the work that he’s done over seven months,” said Paul A. Buttenwieser ’60, a longtime Harvard donor.

“He deserves it,” Buttenwieser added.

Earlier in his tenure at Harvard, Garber participated in one of the greatest fundraising feats in the University’s history as he assisted former Harvard President Drew Gilpin Faust with a successful $9.6 billion capital campaign.

But his interim presidency last semester also offered a glimpse of Harvard’s most significant fundraising struggles in modern history as some of the University’s biggest donors publicly cut ties with Harvard over former Harvard President Claudine Gay’s response to campus antisemitism.

Garber moved swiftly in an effort to mend ties with Harvard affiliates outside the campus bubble, traveling to London, Miami, and Washington during his first semester in office. The visit to London was particularly notable given the United Kingdom has long topped the list of Harvard foreign funding sources.

The decision to permanently appoint Garber as president will give him even more latitude to court back longtime supporters and demonstrate that Harvard’s top leadership has successfully stabilized the University.

Roni Brunn ’96, the Harvard Jewish Alumni Alliance’s vice president for media relations, said that the group is “really glad that Harvard has direction going forward.”

“Harvard desperately has been in need of firm leadership,” Brunn said. “We’re really happy that the Corporation is both empowering President Garber and taking its time to pick the next president.”

Peter L. Malkin ’55, another prominent University donor and the namesake of Harvard’s Malkin Athletic Center, also praised the decision to remove the interim tag.

“I congratulate Harvard on its wise decision, most well earned and deserved by President Garber,” Malkin wrote.

Still, some alumni voiced skepticism about the significance of Garber’s selection.

Monica M. Clark ’06, president of the Harvard Black Alumni Society, questioned whether the decision to keep Garber on until June 2027 was any different from simply extending his interim appointment. Until his announcement, Clark added, she didn’t expect Garber to remain in his role for so long.

“My initial reaction,” Clark said, “ is three years feels like kind of a long time.”

But overall, Harvard alumni groups appeared to be in agreement that Garber’s appointment was a positive development for the University.

Harvard Latino Alumni Alliance praised Garber’s “steadfast dedication to fostering an inclusive and diverse academic community” in a written statement.

“Dr. Garber’s presidency promises to continue building on these foundations,” the HLAA wrote. “His visionary approach is not only crucial for the University’s advancement but also serves as an inspiring model for educational institutions worldwide.”

The Harvard Christian Alumni Society similarly backed Garber.

“He has the steady hand, clear eye, and level head that the University needs during this time of transition - and turmoil,” the HCAS wrote.

—Staff writer Kyle Baek can be reached at kyle.baek@thecrimson.com. Follow him on X @KBaek53453.

—Staff writer Matan H. Josephy can be reached at matan.josephy@thecrimson.com. Follow him on X @matanjosephy.