Which notable Republicans attended Harvard?
I'm doing some research on politicians and noticed that a lot of people talk about Ivy League influence. Does anyone know which prominent Republicans actually went to Harvard? I'm mainly interested in recent political figures, but I'd also appreciate hearing about any historical ones if people know those too.
I'm trying to understand if the stereotype about 'liberal Ivy Leaguers' is totally accurate or if it's a mix, so any insight or even personal stories about conservative students at Harvard would be awesome. Thanks in advance!
I'm trying to understand if the stereotype about 'liberal Ivy Leaguers' is totally accurate or if it's a mix, so any insight or even personal stories about conservative students at Harvard would be awesome. Thanks in advance!
6 months ago
•
154 views
Luis Nario-Malberg
• 6 months ago
Advisor
Harvard’s alumni network definitely includes a good number of notable Republicans, both among recent figures and in American political history. For example, George W. Bush earned his MBA from Harvard Business School in 1975, making him the only U.S. president with an MBA, and Mitt Romney, a former Massachusetts governor and 2012 Republican presidential nominee, earned both his JD and MBA from Harvard through the joint program in 1975.
Other prominent recent Republicans with Harvard ties include Tom Cotton, the U.S. Senator from Arkansas (Harvard College ’99, Harvard Law ’02), and Mike Pompeo, former CIA Director and Secretary of State, who went to Harvard Law and graduated in 1994. Ted Cruz, although more associated with Princeton for undergrad, graduated from Harvard Law School in 1995.
Going further back, historical Republican figures like Theodore Roosevelt (Harvard College ’1880) are good examples, although the party’s ideology was quite different in his era. Likewise, Henry Cabot Lodge, a U.S. Senator and ally of Roosevelt, went to Harvard as well.
The stereotype about Harvard and other Ivies being overwhelmingly liberal certainly has some truth in terms of campus culture and faculty political leanings, but there have always been active conservative groups and communities.
To sum it up, while most people might view Harvard as left-leaning, many prominent Republicans have graduated from the university and left a significant mark on national and global events. If you’re interested in specific stories or student experiences, looking up op-eds from The Harvard Crimson or testimonies from Harvard Republican Club leaders can give even more insight into the conservative experience at the school.
Other prominent recent Republicans with Harvard ties include Tom Cotton, the U.S. Senator from Arkansas (Harvard College ’99, Harvard Law ’02), and Mike Pompeo, former CIA Director and Secretary of State, who went to Harvard Law and graduated in 1994. Ted Cruz, although more associated with Princeton for undergrad, graduated from Harvard Law School in 1995.
Going further back, historical Republican figures like Theodore Roosevelt (Harvard College ’1880) are good examples, although the party’s ideology was quite different in his era. Likewise, Henry Cabot Lodge, a U.S. Senator and ally of Roosevelt, went to Harvard as well.
The stereotype about Harvard and other Ivies being overwhelmingly liberal certainly has some truth in terms of campus culture and faculty political leanings, but there have always been active conservative groups and communities.
To sum it up, while most people might view Harvard as left-leaning, many prominent Republicans have graduated from the university and left a significant mark on national and global events. If you’re interested in specific stories or student experiences, looking up op-eds from The Harvard Crimson or testimonies from Harvard Republican Club leaders can give even more insight into the conservative experience at the school.
Luis Nario-Malberg
Mooresville, North Carolina
Harvard College, Class of 2018, A.B. in Philosophy
Experience
5 years