Harvard University has appointed Sheryl WuDunn, the wife of New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof, as vice chair of the Board of Overseers' executive committee. The appointment comes amid ongoing scrutiny of the university's handling of antisemitism following Hamas's October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel.
WuDunn, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and former Goldman Sachs executive, will serve as vice chair for the coming academic year. The Board of Overseers, composed of 30 alumni, advises Harvard leadership on academic priorities and institutional direction. Harvard President Alan Garber praised WuDunn and newly elected board president Judge Raymond Lohier as 'distinguished alumni' committed to the university's mission.
The appointment has drawn criticism from pro-Israel activists, Jewish students, and alumni, who argue that Harvard is rewarding a family with a history of controversial commentary on Israel. Critics point to Kristof's May 11 column in the New York Times, which alleged sexual abuse by Israeli prison guards against Palestinian detainees. Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, condemned the column as a modern-day 'blood libel,' while the Times defended it as 'deeply reported' and 'extensively fact-checked.' WuDunn publicly supported her husband's reporting, calling it 'careful, meticulous, and courageous.'
Harvard has faced funding freezes, federal probes, and lawsuits over allegations of a toxic campus culture that equates anti-Zionism with the exclusion of pro-Israel students and staff. The university has also been roiled by protests in the wake of the October 7 attacks.
Supporters of the appointment argue that WuDunn's extensive experience in journalism and finance makes her a valuable addition to the board. They emphasize her commitment to Harvard's academic mission and student well-being. Critics, however, argue that the timing of the appointment is problematic given the ongoing debates over antisemitism and free speech on campus.