UF announces $5.5 million gift from Citadel Founder and CEO Kenneth C. Griffin to Hamilton School for Classical and Civic Education

Press release from Griffin Catalyst and the University of Florida

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Today, the University of Florida announced a $5.5 million gift from Kenneth C. Griffin, founder and CEO of Citadel and founder of Griffin Catalyst, to the Hamilton School for Classical and Civic Education. The gift — the largest in the Hamilton School’s history — will expand opportunities for students and accelerate UF’s vision of providing an Oxford- or Cambridge-style education with small, discussion-driven classes taught by world-class faculty. 

Established in 2022 by the UF Board of Trustees, with the support and approval of Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature, the Hamilton School immerses students in the classic texts that have shaped civilization, fostering critical thinking and equipping them to engage with enduring questions across history, philosophy, law, and politics. This philanthropic donation builds on Griffin’s partnership with UF, which began in 2021 with a $5 million gift to expand the university’s K–12 computer science education program. 

“We are deeply grateful to Ken Griffin for his extraordinary gift and his enduring commitment to education. His continued support for education throughout the state of Florida and the nation has been nothing short of remarkable. I want to also thank Gov. DeSantis and the Legislature for their continued support of UF and the Hamilton School,” said Mori Hosseini, UF Board of Trustees Chair. “Ken’s investment strengthens UF’s position as a leader in shaping the future of public higher education for the entire nation. UF is preparing leaders who can think critically, communicate effectively, and tackle complex challenges with integrity. Those skills will serve our students and the great state of Florida for years to come.” 

Investing in the next generation of leaders 

The $5.5 million gift will establish the Griffin Fellows, graduate fellowships that will attract exceptional doctoral candidates to UF who are committed to teaching and scholarship in the Western tradition, and the Griffin Scholars, merit-based undergraduate scholarships. This support will provide students with enrichment opportunities such as studying abroad at top global universities or engaging in faculty-mentored research and internships in law, public policy, and related fields. 

The latest gift from Griffin will ensure that UF’s most talented students have access to the kind of personalized, rigorous education typically reserved for elite, private, liberal arts universities. It will also foster an environment of free inquiry at the Hamilton School, where students are encouraged to engage deeply with diverse ideas and perspectives. 

“America’s future depends on preparing the next generation to think critically, reason clearly, and lead with integrity,” said Griffin. “The Hamilton School for Classical and Civic Education stands as a beacon of excellence — fostering rigorous scholarship, open inquiry, and a steadfast commitment to the principles that sustain a free and flourishing society.”

Advancing UF’s national leadership 

As the state’s top-ranked public research institution, UF is nationally recognized for academic excellence and significant economic and societal impact. The university conducted a record $1.33 billion in research in fiscal year 2025, driving innovations and discoveries in key industries that are shaping the future of Florida and the nation. 

Within that context, the Hamilton School is creating a national model for how a top-tier liberal arts and civics-focused college can thrive within a great American public university. The curriculum is rooted in the classics, yet built to solve the challenges of the future, blending rigorous study of history, philosophy, literature, and political thought with the skills needed to succeed in a complex, interconnected world. 

In less than three years, the school has recruited more than 50 faculty members from some of the most prestigious institutions in the world, including Princeton, Harvard, Stanford, and Vanderbilt. These scholar-teachers bring global expertise spanning disciplines including political science, history, literature, economics, international relations, and philosophy. They are committed to mentoring students, promoting rigorous scholarship, and shaping leaders committed to the principles of a free society. 

“Every challenge in life is multidisciplinary,” said Robert Ingram, professor and interim director of the Hamilton School for Classical and Civic Education. “By engaging with the greatest works and ideas, alongside some of the finest minds in academia, our students gain the intellectual agility to address problems from every angle — and the moral courage to do so with integrity. We are grateful for how Ken’s generosity will propel us forward and ensure even more students can join us in our quest for truth.”