I was responding to @JHS’ comment about how we typically say “the University of []”, @JBStillFlying. Yes, in the U.K., they have, for example, Saïd Business School at Oxford.
That said, I do find it odd to name an academic department after someone - it feels a little creepy, like that person might have an ideological influence on the department’s teaching and research, particularly in a discipline like economics. I guess in principle it’s not really different from naming a school after a donor, or having a named, endowed chair, though.
^^@DeepBlue86 - agreed about the creepiness. Perhaps if it was the division of social sciences instead of just one department it would seem less creepy. I guess a lot depends on the terms of the donation. My understanding is that donors and potential donors are always scouting around trying to inject their own philosophies and business practices into an academic setting (including having a say in hiring decisions!) so that’s nothing new and the wise university, school or department will steer clear of any quid-pro-quo, but Griffin did/will affect at least a few decisions, at least indirectly. He’s on the board, after all (the same board that re-appoints Zimmer).
According to Griffin: "“I have an economics degree from Harvard,” Griffin said in an interview. “If you think about the amount of critical thinking that has come into the field of economics, two universities have dominated the landscape in my life, Chicago and Harvard. Innovation has been won by Chicago.” “The success story at Citadel has been written by a number of people who have backgrounds from the University of Chicago,” he said.
What smog do you all think there is in New Haven? There’s not enough productive economic activity there (outside of Yale labs, etc.) to create meaningful air pollution. Maybe the wood-fired pizza ovens on Wooster Street? Traffic jams on I-95? Second-hand sinsemilla wafting from the Bones Tomb? Still not enough.
@Chrchill, where are you finding the stat that 84% of UChicago grads are placing into the T14 law schools? Just really curious about the source for this data point.