Major philanthropists have successful started universities before, e.g. Carnegie, Rockefeller, Vanderbilt. More recently, major institutes have been started, e.g. IAS, various think tanks. I agree there is a formidable “moat” of prestige that would be hard to overcome, but the prospect is not one to be ruled out entirely.
Major philanthropists have successful started universities before, e.g. Carnegie, Rockefeller, Vanderbilt. More recently, major institutes have been started, e.g. IAS, various think tanks. I agree there is a formidable “moat” of prestige that would be hard to overcome, but the prospect is not one to be ruled out entirely.