Alumni Greg and Ronda Brenneman make historic $50 million gift to Washburn University
Washburn University is unwrapping an unprecedented gift on its 160th birthday – an investment of $50 million in its strategic vision and plan “Thriving Together” for the future. This gift puts the institution in elite and unique company among higher education institutions across the country.
Today, Greg Brenneman, bba ’84, h ’99, and his wife Ronda, b ed ’84, announced the record-setting gift to their alma mater, a public university in the capital city of Kansas, known for its steadfast commitment to academic excellence, making higher education accessible to all and providing a personalized approach to success for every student.
“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, 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.”
Long-time donors to Washburn, the Brennemans have funded several projects including the Brenneman Professor of Business Strategy and the Brenneman Leadership Series. The Brenneman Leadership Series 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.
Among the projects elevated by today’s gift is the construction of an innovative facility bringing all health-related disciplines together, simulating 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.”
In addition to base funding for a new healthcare education facility, today’s 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.
“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.
Today’s announcement follows the November launch of Forever Washburn, a fundraising campaign that is designed to support Washburn’s bold vision for the future. Nearly 80% of the $250 million goal is already committed, showing the deep dedication of donors and alumni to Washburn’s vision and its mission of providing educational pathways to success for everyone.
“It is difficult to adequately convey our gratitude to the Brennemans for this historic gift as well as their belief in Washburn,” said Marshall Meek, president, Washburn University Alumni Association and Foundation. “Through relationships with this family, and other remarkable donors and alumni, we are able to dream big and prepare the leaders of tomorrow in groundbreaking and innovative ways. As our campaign quickly progresses, we continue to be astounded at what Forever holds.”
About the Brennemans:
Greg holds a B.B.A. in Accounting/Finance from Washburn University, an M.B.A. with distinction from Harvard Business School and he was awarded an honorary doctor of commerce from Washburn in 1999. Ronda received a bachelor’s in education from Washburn in 1984 and went on to be a teacher. Greg currently serves as Chairman of CCMP and is a member of the firm's Investment Committee. He is also chairman of the Baylor College of Medicine Board of Trustees, chairman of the board of BGIS, lead director of The Home Depot and on the board of Baker Hughes. He has previously served as chairman, CEO or president for Continental Airlines, Burger King and PwC Consulting. He is also the founder of Turnworks, Inc., his personal investment firm that focuses on corporate turnarounds.
Greg and Ronda met while attending Washburn and married shortly after graduation.
