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The Les Wexner Football Complex at the Wood Hayes Athletic Center is seen Monday, March 30, 2026, in Columbus, Ohio.<\/p>\n
Patrick Aftoora-Orsagos\/AP<\/p>\n
Lauren Barnes, a student in the Kennedy School’s master’s program, stands in front of the Leslie H. Wexner Building at Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass., on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.<\/p>\n
Michael Casey\/AP<\/p>\n
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center is seen Monday, March 30, 2026, in Columbus, Ohio.<\/p>\n
Patrick Aftoora-Orsagos\/AP<\/p>\n
A sign is seen outside of the Les Wexner Football Complex at the Wood Hayes Athletic Center, Monday, March 30, 2026, in Columbus, Ohio.<\/p>\n
Patrick Aftoora-Orsagos\/AP<\/p>\n
A sign is displayed on Farkas Hall, which was endowed by Harvard University alum Andrew Farkas, Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, in Cambridge, Mass.<\/p>\n
Charles Krupa\/AP<\/p>\n
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) \u2014 In rain, snow and bitter cold, a steady drumbeat of small protests have been held in recent months on the Ohio State University main campus with a single goal in mind: removing billionaire retail mogul Les Wexner’s name from buildings where it’s emblazoned.<\/p>\n
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At issue \u2014 for union nurses at OSU’s Wexner Medical Center, for former athletes at the Les Wexner Football Complex, and for some student leaders who may walk past the Wexner Center for the Arts near the campus oval \u2014 is Wexner’s well-documented association with the late sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein.<\/p>\n
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Similar cries are arising over a Wexner-named building at Harvard University and others around the country named for different Epstein associates, including Steve Tisch, Casey Wasserman, Glenn Dubin and Howard Lutnick.<\/p>\n
It’s all part of the backlash across higher education against figures with ties to Epstein, who cultivated an extensive network including powerful people in the arts, business and academia. Scrutiny has landed on university donors as well as several academics whose emails with Epstein surfaced in the latest files, including some who have resigned.<\/p>\n
Wexner complaints cite Epstein association<\/p>\n
Wexner hasn’t been charged with any crime in connection with Epstein, the one-time financial adviser by whom he says he was \u201cduped.\u201d<\/p>\n
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But a group of former Ohio State athletes who survived a sweeping sexual abuse scandal at the school argues that the retired L Brands founder ‘s generosity to his alma mater is now tainted by the knowledge that Epstein was entangled in many of his family’s spending decisions, including around the football complex’s naming.<\/p>\n
\u201cOhio State University cannot credibly separate itself from these facts, nor can it justify continuing to honor Les Wexner with an athletic facility,\u201d their naming removal request read. It went on, \u201cTo do so is to ignore the voices of survivors, former athletes, and the broader community who expect accountability, transparency, and moral leadership.\u201d<\/p>\n
At Harvard, a group of students and faculty at the prestigious Kennedy School has targeted the Leslie H. Wexner Building and the Wexner-Sunshine Lobby. The renaming request submitted in March cites Wexner\u2019s \u201cstrong ties to Epstein\u201d and argues Epstein profited off Wexner, \u201cwhich enabled Epstein to use his wealth and power to traffic and abuse children and women.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Some Harvard students and alumni also want the Farkas name removed from Farkas Hall, which hosts the Hasty Pudding Theatricals Man and Woman of the Year. The building was renamed in 2011 following a significant donation from Andrew Farkas, graduate chairman of the Hasty Pudding Institute, in honor of his father.<\/p>\n
Farkas had a longtime personal and business relationship with Epstein, including co-owning a marina with him in the Caribbean. He also repeatedly asked Epstein to donate to Hasty Pudding. Between roughly 2013 and 2019, Epstein regularly donating $50,000 annually to secure top-tier donor status, for a total of more than $300,000.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs I\u2019ve said repeatedly, I deeply regret ever having met this individual, but at no time have I conducted myself inappropriately,\u201d Farkas said in a statement.<\/p>\n
Pressure building on campuses <\/p>\n
Pushback against buildings named for Epstein associates is growing on some U.S. campuses.<\/p>\n
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Just last weekend, the student body at Haverford College in Pennsylvania voted to urge President Wendy Raymond to forge ahead with the renaming process for the Allison & Howard Lutnick Library. The building is named for the U.S. commerce secretary who has faced resignation calls over his relationship with Epstein.<\/p>\n