College Saviors Not Being Saved - Leon Botstein and More

 In academia, fundraising takes on a high-minded tone. Or it did. Now, at least if it's associated with Jeffrey Epstein Anything, it can catapult you out of your noble calling serving the life of the mind.

The latest to lose a job is Bard College president Leon Botstein. His signature had been "savior" of that out-of-the-box liberal arts institution. The Wall Street Journal reports:

"WilmerHale [law firm contracted to investigate Epstein connection] stated that Botstein had argued that Bard’s needs for funds were paramount and quoted him saying, 'I would take money from Satan if it permitted me to do God’s work.'”

The specific reason for being nudged into retirement is that the investigation turned up that Botstein wasn't forthright in describing the extent of his relationship with the master manipulator.

Botstein has plenty of company in being a savior who doesn't get saved. Pursuing the funding of poetry, Harvard's Elisa New also received amazing funding from Epstein. She is the wife of Larry Summers who also has been penalized for being a Friend of Jeffrey's. New is no longer with the Arizona State University or PBS.

Is the message society is delivering to saviors: The end doesn't justify the means?

In addition, do the saviors tend to take on a sense of being special?

In coaching, I have to keep hammering that no one chasing the money, even in the mundane cause of earning a living, should assume anything is "due" them. "Genesis" in the Old Testament introduces the meme of economically surviving by the sweat of our brow.

Earning a Good Living in 2026 Involves Mental Combat. The enemy is usually your own thinking.

Complimentary consultation. No Pressure. Solid Guidance. Contact Jane Genova janegenova374@gmail.com.



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