College of Nursing and Health Professions to be named for Kinney family
During a press conference held Wednesday, September 11 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 and his 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) will be named the Kinney College of Nursing and Health Professions. The College is physically housed in USI’s Health Professions Center.
“Mr. Kinney is a USI alumnus with an accounting degree, like me. He and his wife, Beth, also have raised two children who are USI alumni,” said Bridges. “With a background in information technology and healthcare, the Kinney family is well positioned to recognize the impact the USI College of Nursing and Health Professions, and our alumni are making in the community. We are extremely grateful for their generous gift which will serve to deepen the College’s vital impact.”
The $6 million unrestricted gift will be used to address the greatest needs of the College, allowing the ability to plan strategically. Among planned uses are student scholarships; equipment and technology purchases and upgrades; faculty development opportunities; and innovative health initiatives to remain forward-looking in the College’s approach to healthcare education.
“We are excited to be making this gift and to be part of USI’s ongoing story of success,” said Kinney. “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 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.
The College of Nursing and Health Professions, one of four colleges at the University of Southern Indiana in Evansville, Indiana, has a global influence in health, healthcare and healthcare education. The College offers baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral programs in nursing, as well as programs in Dental Assisting, Dental Hygiene, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Food and Nutrition, Health Informatics and Information Management, Health Services, Health Administration, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Occupational Therapy, Radiologic and Imaging Sciences and Respiratory Therapy. Completion programs for practicing professionals include Radiologic Technology, Respiratory Therapy, Health Services, Health Administration, Health Informatics and Nursing.
The baccalaureate degree in nursing, master’s degree in nursing, doctoral degree in nursing practice and post-graduate APRN certificate are each accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Dental Assisting and Dental Hygiene programs are accredited by Commission on Dental Accreditation. Diagnostic Medical Sonography is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. Radiologic and Imaging Sciences is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. Dietetics is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics. Occupational Therapy Assistant and Occupational Therapy are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education. Respiratory Therapy is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care.
