Former Gov. Rick Snyder Withdraws From Harvard Fellowship

MICHIGAN — Former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder will not be going to Harvard for his planned fellowship, he announced Wednesday on Twitter.

“I have informed the Harvard Kennedy School that I am turning down its offer...” Synder said in the post. Despite a legacy plagued by the Flint Water Crisis, Synder was accepted as a senior research 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,” Snyder said on Twitter. “I wish them the best.”

Harvard faced a major backlash over accepting Synder with many students, alumni and those affiliated with the university criticizing the move. Others, including “Orange Is The New Black” author Piper Kerman took to Twitter to express their frustration.

The hashtag #NoSnyderFellowship made waves in the social media world.

Snyder's fellowship was with the school's Taubman Center for State and Local Government.Center Director Jeffrey Liebman said in a statement about his appointment that the two-term Republican governor brings "expertise in management, public policy and promoting civility."