Wichita State University (WSU) gets a lot of money from the Koch Brothers.
They're from Wichita so the philanthropy makes sense, but that generosity is being used to shape the policy of public institutions.
That's not charity. That's something else.
They're from Wichita so the philanthropy makes sense, but that generosity is being used to shape the policy of public institutions.
That's not charity. That's something else.
WSU recently made headlines after cancelling Ivanka Trump's virtual commencement speech. Koch surrogates were furious.
For people who pretend to distance themselves from Trump, the #KochNetwork sure seemed to care about this empty gesture.
kansas.com/news/local/edu…
For people who pretend to distance themselves from Trump, the #KochNetwork sure seemed to care about this empty gesture.
kansas.com/news/local/edu…
This was the first loyalty test for the new WSU President Jay Golden.
His predecessor, John Bardo, was quite the Koch ally before he retired for health reasons:
“The Kochs never had any real confidence in the presidents... Then we finally got John Bardo in there"
His predecessor, John Bardo, was quite the Koch ally before he retired for health reasons:
“The Kochs never had any real confidence in the presidents... Then we finally got John Bardo in there"
Bardo was hired in 2012, and the "money poured in from the billionaire family".
"We had Koch in the fold"
The #KochNetwork is transactional. Why do charity for free when you can get something out of it?
So, what kind of pull does this generosity buy?
"We had Koch in the fold"
The #KochNetwork is transactional. Why do charity for free when you can get something out of it?
So, what kind of pull does this generosity buy?
During Bardo's tenure, the #KochNetwork gave or pledged more than $15M for projects at WSU. I've attached the summary in images here.
Some of these may be worth paying attention to.
Some of these may be worth paying attention to.
Institute for the Study of Economic Growth - $3.6M RW Think Tank
"support of economic research centers at universities across the country raised concerns that the Kochs’ conservative, free-market politics would influence academic research."
apnews.com/bd809d77155e45…
"support of economic research centers at universities across the country raised concerns that the Kochs’ conservative, free-market politics would influence academic research."
apnews.com/bd809d77155e45…
Koch Global Trading Center
"Equipped with real-time quotes, international data feeds and analysis software, the trading center will help prepare business students for careers in the financial and commodity markets."
newswise.com/articles/koch-…
"Equipped with real-time quotes, international data feeds and analysis software, the trading center will help prepare business students for careers in the financial and commodity markets."
newswise.com/articles/koch-…
Wonder Private Elementary School
"Wonder does not plan to seek accreditation through the Kansas Department of Education, meaning it will not be required to follow state regulations, administer state tests, or hire licensed teachers."
thesunflower.com/28991/news/pri…
"Wonder does not plan to seek accreditation through the Kansas Department of Education, meaning it will not be required to follow state regulations, administer state tests, or hire licensed teachers."
thesunflower.com/28991/news/pri…
Remember that the #KochNetwork does nothing for free. These aren't donations, they're investments.
Investments they're willing to use as leverage to push for President Golden to resign.
That's how important it is to them for Ivanka to look legitimate.
Investments they're willing to use as leverage to push for President Golden to resign.
That's how important it is to them for Ivanka to look legitimate.
The donors were quite clear about their expectations.
They said they would “rescind all their financial support for programs at the University".
“These relationships can only be restored by Dr. Golden’s departure"
"There's no question. He needs to either resign or be fired."
They said they would “rescind all their financial support for programs at the University".
“These relationships can only be restored by Dr. Golden’s departure"
"There's no question. He needs to either resign or be fired."
The #KochNetwork wants WSU to be a proud Trump ally, and give Ivanka some legitimacy.
Their own words show how badly they need this.
"It's a fire. It's a fire. It's a five-alarm fire."
"In this one fell swoop, he has rebranded us as just another leftist university.”
Their own words show how badly they need this.
"It's a fire. It's a fire. It's a five-alarm fire."
"In this one fell swoop, he has rebranded us as just another leftist university.”
They seem to place a lot of importance on raising Ivanka's profile.
How alarmed should we be that Koch resources are pushing to elevate Ivanka?
Extremely.
How alarmed should we be that Koch resources are pushing to elevate Ivanka?
Extremely.
During the 2016 primaries, the Koch brothers didn't want Trump to be the Republican candidate.
If they had their full influence behind someone like Ivanka, she would be a major contender for 2024.
vanityfair.com/news/2016/02/k…
If they had their full influence behind someone like Ivanka, she would be a major contender for 2024.
vanityfair.com/news/2016/02/k…
@SarahKendzior and @AndreaChalupa have been calling out the plan for years.
Ivanka is being groomed to become the first female POTUS.
This is the way authoritarians operate. It's all about nepotism and dynasty.
Ivanka is being groomed to become the first female POTUS.
This is the way authoritarians operate. It's all about nepotism and dynasty.
WSU isn't alone either.
"In recent years, exposing college students to his libertarian ideology has been a major focus of Koch’s philanthropy, and there are now similar Koch-funded programs at some three hundred American colleges and universities."
newyorker.com/news/news-desk…
"In recent years, exposing college students to his libertarian ideology has been a major focus of Koch’s philanthropy, and there are now similar Koch-funded programs at some three hundred American colleges and universities."
newyorker.com/news/news-desk…
The #KochNetwork is turning higher education into a development program for their right-wing think tanks.
In the process, they're forcing public institutions to accept their political agenda.
An agenda working to elevate Ivanka Trump.
In the process, they're forcing public institutions to accept their political agenda.
An agenda working to elevate Ivanka Trump.
