Harvard University, the school of which Andrew Farkas is an alumnus, recently named Alan M. Garber as its next provost, effective Sept. 1. Garber, a professor of economics and medicine at Stanford University, will succeed Steven E. Hyman, who will step down at the end of this academic year.  Garber graduated from Harvard summa cum laude in 1976, and went on to also receive his Ph.D. in economics from the university. A press release from Harvard stated that Garber will focus on “leading the university’s efforts to define academic aspirations and achievable programs in the entrepreneurial space represented by Allston.” Until Garber’s appointment is effective, President Drew Faust will oversee all academic functions of the university.

Andrew Farkas, who also studied economics at Harvard, earned his bachelor’s degree in 1982. Farkas, now a prominent businessman and real estate magnate, is the founder, Chairman and CEO of Island Capital Group LLC, as well as the CEO of Anubis Advisors, which he founded in March 2010. Farkas also works with Centerline Capital Group and CIII Capital Partners. He currently lives in New York with his wife Sandi.