A tranche of files released by the Department of Justice in January revealed that Bard College president Leon Botstein’s conversations with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein went beyond fundraising for the college. The two men had planned to purchase an expensive watch together and discussed Botstein visiting Epstein’s island. In response, the college opened a board investigation into Botstein’s ties to the financier, which wrapped late last month. A resulting two-page brief explained that the president did not commit any crimes but did minimize his relationship to Epstein.
Once the investigation ended, Botstein, soon to be 80, announced he will retire at the end of June after serving as president of the liberal arts college in Annandale-on-Hudson, N.Y., for 51 years. Over the past four months, Botstein has made few public statements and repeatedly declined or ignored requests for interviews from the media.
But over a Shabbat dinner at his home on Friday, Botstein addressed a range of topics with friends, family and any Bard students who chose to attend. In response to their questions, he talked about his upcoming retirement, the challenges and rewards of fundraising, his relationship to Epstein, the investigation, his opinion of the news media, and his lasting legacy at Bard.
