As of yet, no major figures have come forward and the renovation has gone without an official opening reception. Gallatin’s renovation website attributes the funding as coming from “Gallatin alumni, parents, and other donors,” but 27 million dollars is hard to come by when it’s piecemeal. Both Gallatin and the Development Office declined to comment on the veracity of the claim.

Bloomberg’s daughter, Georgina, attended Gallatin and may still be studying sports management here at NYU so if it’s true, why would Bloomberg keep it quiet? The guy’s a billionaire – it certainly wouldn’t be a financially irresponsible decision to give a big chunk of cash to NYU.

Could it be a little backscratching? John Sexton went down to the term limit hearings last October and supported the move to a three-term limit, allowing Bloomberg to run again.

This is all conjecture, of course. And, I have to say, the Gallatin building looks great. So, perhaps, “thanks Mike!”

Photo: flickr courtesy of David Shankbone.