If you walk across the campus of The Ohio State University, you can’t miss the name. It’s on the massive medical center tower that dominates the Columbus skyline. It’s on the world-class arts center near the Oval. It’s even on the football complex where the Buckeyes prep for Saturdays in the Shoe. Les Wexner Ohio State isn't just a donor-university relationship; it’s an era.
But lately, that legacy feels kinda heavy.
While the buildings are shiny, the conversations in the faculty lounges and on Reddit threads are anything but. You've got a billionaire who literally helped build the modern version of OSU, now facing subpoenas and protests from survivors of one of the school's darkest scandals. It’s a weird, complicated mess of money, power, and a very long shadow cast by the late Jeffrey Epstein.
The Man Who Bought the Skyline
Les Wexner graduated from Ohio State in 1959. He didn't just move on to start The Limited and build a retail empire that included Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works; he stayed obsessed with his alma mater.
Honestly, the sheer scale of his giving is hard to wrap your head around. Since his first $5 check in 1962, he’s poured over **$200 million** into the school. In 2011 alone, he and his foundation pledged a record $100 million. That's "put your name on everything" money.
Why the Wexner Medical Center Matters
It wasn't just a vanity project. Before the rebranding in 2012, the medical center was a respected regional hospital. Wexner’s cash—and his seats on the Board of Trustees—helped turn it into a research powerhouse. We’re talking about:
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- The Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital, which is one of the top facilities in the country.
- The new 26-story medical tower that just had the Wexner name hoisted to the top.
- A massive expansion that basically turned a slice of Columbus into a mini-city dedicated to healthcare.
He didn't just write checks. He was the Chair of the Board of Trustees from 1996 to 1997 and has chaired the Medical Center Board for years. He was the ultimate insider.
The Strauss Scandal: Where Wexner Fits In
This is where things get uncomfortable. For decades, a team doctor named Richard Strauss abused hundreds of male student-athletes. It’s a horrific story that Ohio State has been trying to settle for years, paying out over $60 million to nearly 300 survivors.
But the survivors aren't done. They want to know who knew what, and when.
Because Wexner was on the Board of Trustees during the height of Strauss’s tenure (1988–1997), lawyers for the survivors have been trying to get him to sit for a deposition. As of early 2026, an Ohio judge finally granted a motion to serve Wexner with a subpoena through "alternative means" because traditional process servers couldn't get to him.
The university has actually tried to shield him from this. Their legal team argues that Wexner doesn’t have specific info relevant to the claims. But for the guys who were abused in the 90s, seeing the name of a man who was literally in charge while it happened plastered on every building feels like a gut punch.
The Epstein Connection That Won't Go Away
You can’t talk about Les Wexner Ohio State without mentioning the "money manager" in the room.
For years, Jeffrey Epstein was Wexner’s right-hand man. He had power of attorney over Wexner's billions. He even helped facilitate some of the donations to OSU. In fact, a 2020 review by the university found that Epstein-linked foundations sent about $336,000 to the school.
The 2007 Cutoff Claim
Wexner has always said he cut ties with Epstein in 2007 after the first round of allegations surfaced. But recent reports—including emails from June 2008—suggest they were still talking after that. One email allegedly shows Wexner telling Epstein, "You violated your own number 1 rule always be careful."
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Then there’s the 2003 "birthday book." Photos released by the House Oversight Committee show Wexner with his arm around Epstein, alongside a lewd message. It’s these images that Strauss survivors hold up at board meetings, asking "Where’s Wexner?"
Does the Name Stay or Go?
There is a growing movement in Columbus to "strip the name." Petitions have circulated to remove the Wexner branding from the football complex and the hospital.
But it’s not that simple.
When you give $100 million, the contracts usually have ironclad "naming rights" clauses. Unless there’s a specific "morality clause" that Wexner breached—and remember, he hasn't been charged with any crime—the university might actually have to buy back the naming rights to change them. It’s a legal nightmare.
What This Means for You (The Actionable Part)
If you're a student, alum, or just someone following the news, the Les Wexner Ohio State saga is a masterclass in the "High-Net-Worth Donor" trap. Here is how to process the current state of play:
- Watch the Subpoenas: The next few months of 2026 are critical. If Wexner is forced to testify in the Strauss litigation, we might finally get a look at how much the Board of Trustees actually knew about the abuse in the 90s.
- Follow the House Oversight Committee: They are currently digging into the financial links between Wexner and Epstein. This isn't just "celebrity gossip"; it’s a federal investigation into how Epstein built his wealth.
- The "Separation" Trend: Notice how the university talks about him now. In the past, he was "our greatest benefactor." Today, the statements are much more formal, focusing on the "generosity of the Wexner family" while distancing the institution from his personal legal battles.
The reality? Les Wexner built the modern Ohio State University. But as the legal walls close in regarding his past associates and his time on the board, the school is finding that his legacy is a lot more expensive than the $200 million he paid for it.
Keep an eye on the court filings in Franklin County. That’s where the real story of the Wexner era will finally be written—under oath.
Next Steps for Following the Story:
- Check the Ohio State Board of Trustees meeting minutes for updates on the Medical Center Board leadership.
- Monitor the U.S. House Oversight Committee website for newly unsealed documents regarding the Epstein-Wexner financial relationship.
- Follow The Lantern (OSU’s student paper) for the most boots-on-the-ground reporting on campus protests and name-change petitions.