Ohio State's Wexner naming question remains
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Protests and public outrage over Les Wexner's ties to Jeffrey Epstein have quieted since spring, but the future of his name at Ohio State remains in limbo.
The latest: Wexner "stepped back" as chairman of the board of his namesake OSU Wexner Medical Center last week.
- The last time he attended a meeting was May 2025, per news reports.
- He'll remain on the hospital system's board with a "chair emeritus" honorary title. But it's unclear if or when the university will decide whether Wexner's name stays.
What they're saying: Approximately 500 requests to remove it from campus buildings "remain under review," Ohio State spokesperson Ben Johnson tells Axios — as they have for months.
- Wexner's changed role "is not related to the renaming requests," Johnson says.
Flashback: This spring, when the controversy peaked, we asked our readers whether they thought Wexner's name should be removed. A majority did.
What you're saying: Respondents in favor of removal cited moral concerns and noted the potential for reputation damage.
- Those opposed noted Wexner has not been criminally charged and his contributions to the university.
What's next: Ohio State president Ravi Bellamkonda "hopes to have a resolution by the end of the year," the Dispatch reports.
Meanwhile, a university committee opted not to change the name of the Thompson Library this month, following a request submitted in 2022.