The academic community doesn’t generally view the University of Hawaii and University of Chicago as competitors. But the two are beginning to duke it out over who will host President Barack Obama’s library after he leaves office,
Politico reports.
The University of Hawaii is charging hard for the library. Both Obama’s parents and sister went to school there, and the president himself was born on the island. The school already has formed four panels to study the issue, including a site-selection committee and a museum and archives committee. Officials hope to decide on a location over the next few months and have 2019 or 2020 in mind as an opening date, assuming Obama wins a second term.
“The University of Chicago is playing like the cool front-runner,” Politico states. Obama lectured at its law school, and first lady Michelle Obama, who was born and raised nearby, served as a top executive there. Many of the first couple’s closest friends still live in Chicago.
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