Bruce Wasserstein’s $25 Million Endowment to Harvard
There is no greater honor for a loyal and prominent Harvard alumnus like Bruce Wasserstein than to have an entire academic wing named after him. Lazard CEO Bruce Wasserstein’s largesse had a large portion of Harvard Law School’s Northwest Corner Complex renamed to Wasserstein Hall after he bestowed a $25 million donation to his alma mater. Bruce Wasserstein graduated from Harvard Business School’s MBA Class ‘71 and J.D. Class ‘70 of the Harvard Law School.
The 61-year old billionaire banker and businessperson is one of Harvard’s most prominent alumni; one who has been making waves in the financial industry for years now.
Since 1980, Bruce Wasserstein has orchestrated some of the most successful and profitable mergers and acquisitions (M&A) that now total to $250 billion, including KKR’s acquisition of RJR Nabisco, Stanley Morgan’s buyout of Dean Witter, and Time’s acquisition by Warner Bros. Prior to his work at Lazard, Ltd, Wasserstein launched a notable career in banking at First Boston Corp and co-founded Wasserstein Perella & Co before it was bought by Germany’s Dresdner Bank. Before he became engaged in M&A, he had a legal practice with the firm Cravath, Swaine & Moore.
At present, Bruce Wasserstein serves as chairman of Wasserstein & Co LP, and is a busy member of the board of directors of Harry & David Holdings, Inc.
