Funding From Charles Koch Foundation Raises Concerns at WCU

A proposal to create a new center at Western Carolina University using $2 million from the Charles Koch Foundation is generating concern among some faculty at Western Carolina University.

The proposed Center for the Study of Free Enterprise would be funded, in part, with money from the foundation created by Charles Koch, CEO of Koch Industries. The Koch brothers have gained attention for their donations to a number of conservative causes.

According to the Charles Koch Foundation website, the foundation “supports more than 250 universities across the country.”

“The foundation supports scholars and universities interested in advancing an understanding of the link between free societies and well-being,” according to the website.