It’s Time for Ohio State to Remove the Wexner Name

Les Wexner is stepping down as chair of The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center Board. After decades of influence, philanthropy and a deep connection between the Wexner name and Ohio State, this should be an opportunity for the university to make a much bigger change. Ohio State should remove the Wexner name from the buildings and institutions in Columbus that carry it.

This is not about pretending Wexner never contributed anything meaningful to Ohio State. His philanthropy has been enormous, and his financial support has helped the university in significant ways. That history should be acknowledged. But there is a difference between recognizing someone’s generosity and permanently attaching that person’s name to some of a public university’s most prominent institutions.

A name on a building is an honor. When someone’s name appears on a medical center, athletic facility or other major university building, that person becomes part of the institution’s public identity. Ohio State has every right to reconsider whether that honor should continue, especially as scrutiny surrounding Wexner and his longtime relationship with Jeffrey Epstein continues.

Wexner has denied knowing about Epstein’s criminal conduct and has not been convicted of crimes connected to Epstein. That distinction matters. But Ohio State does not need to prove criminal wrongdoing to decide whether it still wants to honor someone with his name on university facilities. Removing a name is not a declaration of guilt. It is a decision about whom an institution chooses to celebrate.

Ohio State Doesn’t Need Another Name

Perhaps the simplest argument is also the strongest: Ohio State does not need Les Wexner’s name.

The Ohio State University Medical Center is a powerful name on its own. Ohio State has more than 150 years of history and is one of the most recognizable universities in America. Its reputation was built by generations of students, physicians, nurses, researchers, professors, employees, athletes and alumni. None of that changes because a donor’s name comes off a building.

Philanthropy matters, and major donors deserve recognition. But gratitude should not mean permanent naming rights. Otherwise, universities create a dangerous precedent where donating enough money can make someone’s name essentially untouchable.

Ohio State is bigger than any donor.

Removing the Name Doesn’t Erase History

Taking Wexner’s name off buildings would not erase his contributions. Ohio State can continue acknowledging his philanthropy and documenting his influence on the university and Columbus. His accomplishments, contributions and controversies can all remain part of the historical record.

But history and honor are not the same thing.

Universities preserve history. Names on buildings bestow honor. Ohio State can do the first without continuing the second.

Wexner’s decision to step down gives the university an opportunity to finally make that distinction. Thank him for what he contributed. Preserve his place in Ohio State’s history. Acknowledge the impact his philanthropy had on the university.

Then remove his name from the buildings.

Ohio State already has the only name it needs