BREENE

Some of the most meaningful gifts arrive without warning. In early 2026, Rodney “Rod” Breene (B.S. ’76, finance) contacted the UW Foundation with a simple idea. He wanted to support students in UW’s MBA Program.

Breene grew up in North Dakota and came to Laramie to study finance. He went on to a successful career and now lives in Florida. Through the decades and the miles, he held on to fond memories of his time at UW. Those memories led him to make the university part of his estate plan.

Working with Katie Kern, senior director of development, Breene moved quickly. Within weeks, he asked for help drafting language for his estate trust to fund an endowed MBA scholarship. Drawing on his financial expertise, he chose to give real estate instead of cash, a strategy that maximizes the gift’s impact. His documentation was so thorough that it set the standard for future donors.

By spring, Breene had signed his endowment agreement and legacy gift notification. The scholarship will help future students in a program that has grown significantly in recent years. Breene also is considering adding funds during his lifetime so he can support students now. “Education opens doors, but it’s the willingness to keep learning and challenging yourself that moves you forward,” Breene says.

A single unexpected message has become a commitment that will open doors for Wyoming MBA students for generations.