"They are simply in competition [for] a say of what is going on," Frye said. "That is what they are doing in academia. I think it is not a bad thing. I think it is not an attempt to get absolution but a competition."
Frye said the donations for Armenian chairs came from private sources, not government money, but he said the source of funding had no effect on determining who was chosen for the post.
"The universities do what they please as far as appointments are concerned," he said. "They have tried to please the people who have given the money and sometimes it has caused problems, but I don't see that happening with this type of donation."
Benhabib attributed the donations to a different source, however.
"I think that Turkey has always felt somewhat misunderstood by the West," she said.
"I think now there is a new generation," she said. "Our new prime minister Tansu Chiler is educated in America. She holds a degree in economics and I think her government is aware of the work they need to do in order to present Turkey's culture to the West."
Joe Wrinn, Harvard's spokesperson, declined to comment on the gift last night