America's new 'anti-woke' university raises $200 million from billionaires frustrated with elite Ivy League schools
SUMMARY
A new university in Texas, the University of Austin (UATX), has raised $200 million from wealthy donors frustrated with perceived ideological bias at elite colleges. Founded in November 2021, UATX welcomed its first cohort of 92 students in September 2024, aiming to foster open debate and academic freedom while blending classical education with entrepreneurial skills. Notable contributors include real estate developer Harlan Crow and trader Jeff Yass, with Yass providing a significant $35 million donation. Crow criticized current higher education, saying, "Much of higher [education] today seems to want to reject Western accomplishments," while UATX's President Pano Kanelos referred to students and faculty as "pioneers" in reshaping education. The university is currently unaccredited, raising questions about its long-term appeal, but it offers full-tuition scholarships for its inaugural class, valued at $130,000.
