USI receives $1 million endowed scholarship gift to support graduate nursing, names Health Professions Center auditorium
January 12, 2026
The University of Southern Indiana has received a $1 million leadership gift from Larry Rutledge to support graduate nursing education within the Kinney College of Nursing and Health Professions.
The gift will create an endowment providing scholarships in perpetuity for USI graduate students enrolled in the family nurse practitioner or acute care nurse practitioner programs within the Master of Science in Nursing program. The gift reflects a long-term investment in the preparation of advanced practice nurses who will serve communities throughout the region.
In recognition of Rutledge’s generosity, the new auditorium in the renovated USI Health Professions Center will be named Rutledge Auditorium.
“Mr. Rutledge will have a lasting impact on our graduate nursing students and the patients and communities they will serve,” says Steven J. Bridges, USI President. “Endowed scholarships like this one help remove financial barriers for students while strengthening the future of healthcare.”
The Kinney College of Nursing and Health Professions prepares highly skilled healthcare professionals through innovative academic programs, hands-on clinical experiences and strong community partnerships. Support from donors like Rutledge plays a critical role in advancing student success and meeting the growing demand for healthcare providers.
For more information about supporting USI, contributing to this scholarship or establishing an endowed scholarship, visit USI.edu/giving.