Wendi Heinzelman (University of Rochester photo / J. Adam Fenster)
Historic commitment to academic leadership
This transformative gift establishes permanent funding for the dean, one of the most essential leadership roles in shaping an academic institution. For generations to come, the Brunings’ gift will provide stable, dedicated resources to strengthen the Hajim School’s ability to attract and retain distinguished leaders—those who will uphold academic quality, steward resources, and sustain the institution’s mission and culture.
“The Brunings’ generosity is thoughtful and strategic—born out of their wish to honor, advance, and celebrate excellence while growing programs that are of importance to them and the University,” says University President Sarah Mangelsdorf. “We are indebted to them for this exceptional leadership gift, and we are thrilled that Wendi Heinzelman will be appointed the first Bruning Dean.”
Mangelsdorf emphasizes the gift’s lasting impact, noting that as the endowment grows, it will provide a steady source of flexible funding for high-priority initiatives and strengthen long-term financial stability across the institution—benefiting students, faculty, and the broader community.
“We feel very fortunate to make this gift,” says John Bruning. “For us, it is a wonderful way to honor someone who deserves it, and we are pleased to know that it will help recruit and retain the best students and faculty. Wendi is a great example of this—she is a fantastic person and a magnificent leader. We also have many personal and professional connections with her, and it is especially meaningful to us that she will be named to the deanship.”
Barbara Bruning adds that the For Ever Better campaign inspired the timing of this gift: “We know that faculty leadership is a major priority of the campaign, and it matters to us as well. We care deeply about science, engineering, and education, and we have great confidence in the Hajim School’s leadership—in what Wendi has already accomplished and will continue to do, and in what future holders of this deanship will achieve to advance learning and discovery.”
In the summer of 2025, Heinzelman was reappointed for a third five-year term as dean of the Hajim School. During her tenure, she has successfully advanced strategic initiatives that have enhanced the school’s national reputation, increased research expenditures, expanded academic offerings and experiential opportunities for students, and promoted interdisciplinary collaboration.
Leadership poised for impact
“I am tremendously grateful to John and Barb for this incredible investment in our school, and I am beyond proud to be the first Bruning Dean,” says Heinzelman. “The Brunings model excellence—they live it, they embody it. They wholeheartedly believe in our mission. They share our values, and they steadfastly promote, support, and champion academic rigor. They are visionaries with big ideas, and I am confident that we—as a school, University, and broad community—will honor them by continuing to address some of our world’s biggest challenges and significantly advancing engineering, education, and research in the process.”
Heinzelman emphasizes, “I am thrilled that this endowed deanship carries the Brunings’ name. Through their generosity of resources and spirit, they remind us of what it means to create impact, to have the highest integrity and character, and to make the world a better place.”
About the Brunings
John Bruning, University of Rochester trustee emeritus, is a leader in optical engineering and precision manufacturing. Early in his career, he worked at Bell Laboratories, advancing high-accuracy interferometry. During his time there, he got to know Heinzelman’s father, Lawrence Rabiner, an electrical engineer and signal processing expert.
In 1984, John joined Tropel and later became its president and CEO, guiding the company’s growth and merger with Corning. A member of the National Academy of Engineering and a fellow of IEEE, OSA, and SPIE, he holds 26 patents and is credited with the development of excimer laser lithography, a foundational technology in modern microchip manufacturing.
John has served as a volunteer leader for many University initiatives, including the Hajim National Council, the Technology Development Fund Executive Committee, and The Meliora Challenge campaign. He has served on the boards of many community organizations, including the Rochester Museum & Science Center, and on RIT President’s Roundtable and several startups. He earned a bachelor’s degree at Pennsylvania State University and a doctorate at the University of Illinois at Urbana, both in electrical engineering.
John has been recognized with several of the University’s highest honors. He received the George Eastman Medal in 2011 for embodying the University’s ideals through distinguished achievement and service. In 2024, he was awarded the Dean’s Medal for extraordinary service, philanthropy, and leadership, and was also conferred an honorary Doctor of Science degree in recognition of his contributions to science and technology.
Barbara Bruning is a retired professional whose career spans business office management, software consulting, physical fitness, and motivational speaking. She earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Toledo where she was an active member of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority. Heinzelman later joined the same sorority as an undergraduate at Cornell University. Currently, Barbara serves as the president of the Rochester alumnae chapter and represents her sorority as a delegate to the Rochester Alumnae Panhellenic Council. She has also contributed to the Alpha Omicron Pi Foundation on their board of directors.
In the Rochester community, Barbara has served as a member of the Geva Theatre Board of Trustees and the Rochester Museum and Science Center Council. She was also active in the University of Rochester’s Women as Leaders in Philanthropy program.
In addition to the Brunings’ support for optics, engineering, faculty, and students, their philanthropy extends to the University’s Memorial Art Gallery and Medical Center programs. They are also members of the George Eastman Circle, the University’s leadership annual giving society, and the Wilson Society, which includes all those who have named the University as a beneficiary in their estate plans.
Compounded value of endowments
Endowments turn one-time gifts into permanent sources of support. Their impact comes from compounding: even while providing annual funding, the remaining investment returns continue to grow year after year.
Every year, an endowment supports current needs—such as scholarships or faculty—while a portion of its earnings is reinvested to sustain future growth. Over time, even modest, steady gains can significantly expand the resources available for students, research, and academic programs.
This steady, perpetual growth is what makes endowed gifts so meaningful. They provide stability in uncertain times, enable long-term planning, and ensure that future generations benefit just as much as today’s—allowing donors to create a legacy that truly lasts.
For Ever Better
Philanthropy and engagement are critical to the future success of the University. Learn how you can support For Ever Better: The Campaign for the University of Rochester. To make a difference, contact Derek Swanson, Executive Director of Advancement for the Hajim School.
