Griffin Peterffy Institute for Advanced Studies

Governor DeSantis recently boasted the quality of Florida’s public university education, specifically the University of Florida. DeSantis also boasted about efficiently preparing young people to be productive, such as by teaching them to be nurses and truck drivers. But there is a missing component, a top 5 research institution in Florida.

300 years ago the Mathers promoted the founding of Yale College, to educate the types of men necessary to perpetuate their vision for society. DeSantis is forever complaining about indoctrination and education, and is also forever blowing money on pet projects all over the place. Starting a research institution seems like a natural fit in a program for the advancement of Florida.

I don’t know about the structure of universities. But if it is practical, I would propose a graduate-only institution, serving only masters and phd students. If not, then it might somehow have to be geographically associated with the University of Florida. Otherwise there is plenty of empty land in places like Okeechobee, Polk, Lake, and Marion Counties.

I propose this graduate institution be funded initially for studies in one or more of the following six areas. Biotechnology research might have to be physically located near a university hospital or something.

physics and rocket propulsion

economics and monetary theory

law, sociology, and human behavior

quantum computing and artificial intelligence

robotics, architecture, and industrial design

biotechnology and medical research

The best faculty would have to be attracted with cash. I don’t care if they are marxists, so long as they are the top of their field. They can debate marxism with other faculty. And the best students would have to be attracted with scholarships, and the chance to work on great projects.

I think of the University of Chicago, where Hayek was better friends with Keynes than with Friedman. This also produced the Fermi Institute. And the first web browser was invented at the University of Illinois.

If Ken Griffin and Thomas Peterffy really want to be mavericks and shape society in their vision like Walt Disney, and to bring it south from the states where they made their money, this is their best opportunity to do it. Maybe they get Larry Ellison or who knows to drop in a couple billion.