Rick Snyder withdraws from Harvard fellowship

Former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder (R) is turning down a Harvard research fellowship amid public backlash over the university choosing the governor, who was widely criticized for his handling of the Flint, Mich., water crisis. 

Snyder tweeted Wednesday that he notified the Harvard Kennedy School of his decision. 

“It would have been exciting to share my experiences, both positive and negative; our current political environment and its lack of civility makes this too disruptive,” Snyder tweeted. “I wish them the best.”{mosads}

I have informed the HKennedy Sch that I am turning down its offer as Snr Res Fellow. It would have been exciting to share my experiences, both positive and negative; our current political environment and its lack of civility makes this too disruptive. I wish them the best.

— Rick Snyder (@onetoughnerd) July 3, 2019

Harvard was criticized last week after it announced Snyder would be a fellow. 

Mari Copeny, the 11-year-old known as “Little Miss Flint” who gained attention after writing to former President Obama and convincing him to visit the town, led the call against the school on Twitter with the hashtag “#NoSnyderFellowship.”

“Harvard has to be smarter than this #NoSnyderFellowship #SnyderForPrison #FlintWaterCrisis,” Copeny tweeted. 

Others joined in with the hashtag, criticizing the university’s appointment. 

In its announcement, Jeffrey Liebman, a Harvard professor and director of the school’s Taubman Center for State and Local Government, where Snyder was appointed, said Snyder would bring “tremendous value to us and our students.”

“Governor Snyder brings his significant expertise in management, public policy, and promoting civility to Harvard Kennedy School,” Liebman had said.