During a press conference held Wednesday, September 11, 2024, in the Health Professions Center on the USI campus, USI Interim President Steve Bridges announced a $6 million leadership gift from Evansville business leader and USI alumnus Wayne Kinney, his wife Beth Kinney, and their family. The announcement was made to an audience of nearly 75 students, faculty, administrators and guests of the University and family.
To honor the Kinney family for its generosity to the University, the USI College of Nursing and Health Professions (CNHP) has been named the Kinney College of Nursing and Health Professions. The College is physically housed in USI's Health Professions Center.
Wayne is a 1977 accounting graduate of USI, and he worked full-time while attending. He later founded the Evansville-based Innovative Consulting Group, focused on flexible healthcare IT services and engaged with hospitals across the country. He and his wife, Beth, sold the company in 2023. They currently own JWK Management Group. Wayne serves on the USI Board of Trustees and USI Foundation Board of Directors.
Beth graduated from the University of Evansville where she majored in teacher education. She taught in Evansville schools for a number of years.
The Kinneys’ son, Jeff, received his MBA from USI in 2010. Their daughter, Julie Burczyk, graduated magna cum laude from USI in 2006 with a degree in elementary education and earned a master’s degree in education from the University in 2009. The Kinneys and their children and grandchildren reside in Evansville.
“We are excited to be making this gift and to be part of USI’s ongoing story of success.
We look forward to the many ways this investment will enhance the College of Nursing and Health Professions,
its students and faculty and, ultimately, our community.” –Wayne Kinney '77