Elon Musk has announced his intent to acquire Stanford University for a staggering $139 billion. This development follows Musk’s previous acquisition of X (formerly Twitter) for $44 billion in 2022, a deal that has left him seeking new ventures.
If the purchase goes through, Musk plans to rename the prestigious institution “X, formerly known as Leland Stanford Junior University,” which would be abbreviated as X-fka-LSJU. Known for his entrepreneurial spirit, Musk has a net worth of $213.1 billion, making him the richest person in the world as of 2024.
Musk’s vision for education is ambitious. He intends to refocus the university’s School of Engineering toward innovative projects, including creating autonomous USB drives that could insert themselves into people’s computers to distribute information more effectively. In a playful twist, he has even suggested renaming the Engineering Quad to the “Elon Quad.”
The tech mogul’s connection to Stanford is not new; he briefly enrolled in 1995 to pursue a PhD in applied physics and material science but left after just two days. Musk transferred to the University of Pennsylvania, quickly realizing that the internet offered greater potential for impact than academic research. This decision eventually led him to create his first startup, Zip2, which he sold for over $300 million.
Musk’s approach to governance appears consistent with his corporate strategies. Known for making drastic layoffs within his companies, such as at Tesla, he seems to think this experience gives him a unique advantage in higher education. However, his plans are not solely rooted in business. Rumour has it that Musk wants his children to attend Stanford, and he believes owning the university would enhance their admissions prospects.
In a recent visit to the campus, Musk expressed his intentions to university officials, including the incoming president, Jonathan Levin. During their conversation, Levin made it clear that Musk should not expect to take control of the university easily. Musk, feeling confident in his wealth, even suggested offering Levin 5% of his Tesla shares.
“I’m the richest person in the world, so it doesn’t matter what you say,” Musk reportedly declared. This bold statement reflects his characteristic confidence, but it raises questions about the implications of such power in the realm of higher education. He even joked about erecting statues of himself around the campus if the deal occurs.
While this announcement is in jest—a satirical piece meant for entertainment— it draws attention to Musk’s larger-than-life persona and the ongoing debates surrounding the intersection of wealth, education, and influence in society. The humour in this scenario reflects concerns among academics regarding the state of free speech and governance at one of America’s leading universities.
As Musk continues to make headlines and redefine industries, many will be watching closely to see if this fantastical vision of owning a university could ever truly become a reality. The idea, though comedic, speaks volumes about the changing landscape of education and the roles that influential figures play in shaping its future.
Shivam Verma, a participant in The Daily’s high school journalism workshop, highlights this topic with a humorous yet thought-provoking approach. His piece serves as a reminder of the ongoing conversation about the responsibilities of wealth and influence in contemporary education.
