$50 million naming gift to business school from Greg and Ronda Brenneman
Washburn University received a historic birthday gift from alumni Greg and Ronda Brenneman.
As Washburn celebrates its 160th birthday, a record-setting gift of $50 million was made toward its vision and plan for the future, “Thriving Together.” Greg Brenneman and his wife Ronda announced the gift.
“Greg and Ronda Brenneman embody the very existence of Washburn University, exemplifying our values of creating extraordinary impact through incredible generosity and leadership,” said Dr. JuliAnn Mazachek, president of Washburn University.
“Since graduating from Washburn, the Brennemans have achieved remarkable success in their own lives yet have consistently returned to our campus to share their time, resources, wisdom and innovative vision for future leaders.
Their momentous gift adds even greater significance to this special day, Washburn’s 160th birthday, and ensures that Washburn continues to thrive and provide accessible, high-quality education for many generations to come.”
According to the university, the Brennemans have funded several projects, including the Brenneman Professor of Business Strategy and the Brenneman Leadership Series. The Brenneman Leadership Series is a seven-week program that aims to guide participants in leadership and philanthropy.
The lessons are laid out in Greg’s book “Right Away and All at Once: Five Steps to Transform Your Business and Enrich Your Life.” Washburn stated that more than 500 students have been through the program in the last seven years.
Washburn stated that the gift from the Brennemans adds to constructing a facility that brings health-related disciplines together that simulates real-world, integrated healthcare delivery.
“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.”
The gift 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.