Washburn Endowment Association

The Investment Committee, chaired by Trustee Megan Lea Jones, directs the association's portfolio strategy. Committee members include representatives with banking and business backgrounds, notably Trustee John C. Dicus, who serves as CEO of Capitol Federal Savings Bank. The committee does not operate with a large dedicated investment staff, relying on oversight from Foundation executives and periodic input from strategic advisors like Greg Brenneman.

The $50 million commitment from CCMP Capital Chairman Greg Brenneman, announced in 2023, is one of the largest individual gifts to any Kansas public university. While the gift's distribution timing and purpose are set by donor agreement, it meaningfully increases the university's long-term capital base. As an alumnus and strategic advisor, Brenneman's ties may influence the endowment's access to private equity co-investment opportunities sourced through his CCMP Capital network.

Yes. The association holds direct real estate assets in Topeka, including a retail shopping center, 1709 SW MacVicar Avenue, and the Ross House residential property. These local holdings supplement global private equity and real asset fund commitments, reflecting a dual approach that anchors part of the portfolio in tangible, community-adjacent assets.

The entities are operationally integrated under a single leadership structure. Marshall Meek serves as President and CEO of both the Foundation and the Alumni Association, which jointly manage fundraising, donor relations, and the administration of endowment assets. This unified model streamlines gift processing and investment oversight for a university of Washburn's size.

The association maintains memberships in three core higher-education professional networks: NACUBO, the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges, and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. These affiliations provide benchmarking data, governance training, and peer exchange opportunities common among university endowments of similar scale.

The endowment holds the Mulvane Art Museum's permanent collection, the Rita Blitt Gallery and Sculpture Garden, and the 'I Dream A World' photographic portrait series. These assets serve a dual purpose — they are mission-aligned holdings that support the university's educational and community engagement goals while functioning as part of the association's long-term store of value.