Alumni Greg and Ronda Brenneman make historic $50 million gift to Washburn University



Alumni Greg and Ronda Brenneman make historic $50 million gift to Washburn University

 Topeka, Kan. – Exceptional healthcare happens when professionals work together. Washburn University is ensuring the next generation learns the same way through an innovative new healthcare institute that integrates disciplines in a simulated, real-world setting. Today, Washburn alumni Greg and Ronda Brenneman brought this vision to life with a historic gift – an investment of $50 million – that will fuel this project and other initiatives in Washburn’s strategic framework and plan “Thriving Together.”

“After years of leading high-profile corporate turnarounds, Greg and Ronda Brenneman quickly grew excited about reimagining the delivery of healthcare education and taking it in a bold, new direction,” said Dr. JuliAnn Mazachek, president, Washburn University. “The Brenneman’s transformative gift, the largest in Washburn’s 160-year history, enables us to begin the design of a facility that simulates integrated healthcare delivery. It will be instrumental in training every healthcare professional, preparing them to become high-quality care partners and meeting workforce needs throughout the Midwest.”

Washburn, a public university in the capital city of Kansas, is known for its steadfast commitment to academic excellence and providing a personalized approach to success for every student. Already a strong draw in business, nursing, healthcare and legal education, through Washburn’s School of Law located in the Robert J. Dole Hall, the institution is experiencing unprecedented enrollment growth. Through visionary leadership, collaboration with regional partners and support from donors and alumni like the Brennemans, Washburn is taking steps boldly into the future. Forever Washburn, a $250 million dollar campaign just launched in November, has already hit nearly 80% of its goal.

“Washburn has been a cornerstone of the Topeka community, the State of Kansas, and of our nation for 160 years. It has played a pivotal role in shaping lives, including ours. The University has great leadership, is growing and has incredible momentum,” said Greg Brenneman. “We are honored and humbled to be able to make this gift to, among other things, turbocharge Washburn’s ability to reimagine healthcare education using state of the art technology in a new building.”

Greg, bba ’84, h ’99, and his wife Ronda, b ed ’84, have funded several projects at their alma mater including the Brenneman Leadership Series that guides participants through a seven-week program in leadership and philanthropy, based on the career and life lessons laid out in Greg's book "Right Away and All at Once: Five Steps to Transform Your Business and Enrich Your Life". More than 500 students have been through this program in the last seven years.

In addition to base funding for a new healthcare education facility, today’s gift also transforms the business and nursing schools. Washburn School of Business is now the Gregory D. and Ronda K. Brenneman School of Business. Washburn School of Nursing now becomes the Harmony J. Hines School of Nursing in honor of Ronda Brenneman’s late sister, a Washburn Nursing graduate who dedicated her life to caring for others before losing her battle with cancer.

“Harmony represented the very best of Washburn by serving the Topeka community as an innovative healthcare leader in mental health, elder and palliative care. We are excited to be able to honor Harmony’s contribution for the benefit of future generations in this way,” said Ronda Brenneman.

“The Brennemans embody the very existence of Washburn University, exemplifying our values of creating extraordinary impact through their generosity and leadership,” said Marshall Meek, president, Washburn University Alumni Association and Foundation. “We are incredibly grateful to all our donors and alumni who share their time, resources, wisdom and innovative vision. We continue to dream big and prepare the leadership of tomorrow in groundbreaking and innovative ways. It is astounding to realize what Forever holds.”

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