Education

Princeton Investment Chief Gets ‘Sparky’ Adieu in Mega Bond Sale

  • Golden is an adherent, acolyte of Yale’s David Swensen
  • Endowment gains account for two-thirds net operating revenue

Students walk on campus at Princeton University in Princeton, New Jersey. 

Photographer: William Thomas Cain/Getty Images
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Princeton University’s renowned investment chief received an unusual send-off buried within the school’s bond documents ahead of his June retirement.

Andrew Golden, who grew the school’s endowment nearly tenfold over his almost 30-year tenure, is referred to by his nickname in a brief biography included in the documents for this week’s $812 million borrowing. “Before shifting his focus to investing, ‘Sparky’ Golden (aka ‘The Commodore’) was a professional photographer,” according to the deal’s preliminary official statement.