Washburn University

Public university in Topeka, Kansas, US

Washburn University of Topeka

Former names

| Lincoln College (1865–1868)
Washburn College (1868–1941)
Washburn Municipal University (1941–1952)[1]
Motto| Non Nobis Solum (Latin)

Motto in English

| "Not for Ourselves Alone"
Type| Public university
Established| February 6, 1865; 160 years ago (1865-02-06)[2]
Accreditation| HLC
Endowment| $155.3 million (2020)[3]
President| JuliAnn Mazachek
Provost| John Fritch

Academic staff

| 1,000
Students| 5,663 (fall 2023)[4]
Undergraduates| 4,930 (fall 2023)[5]
Postgraduates| 733 (fall 2023)
Location|

Topeka, Kansas

United States

39°02′02″N 95°41′56″W﻿ / ﻿39.033786°N 95.698975°W﻿ / 39.033786; -95.698975
Campus| Midsize city[6], 160 acres (0.65 km2)
Colors| Yale blue and white[7]

Nickname| Ichabods

Sporting affiliations

| NCAA Division II – The MIAA
Mascot| The Ichabod
Website| washburn.edu

Washburn University (WU), formally Washburn University of Topeka, is a public university in Topeka, Kansas, United States. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs as well as professional programs in law and business. The university enrolls approximately 5,000 undergraduate students and 700 graduate students as of 2023. As of 2008, Washburn also took over overseeing the nearby Washburn Tech.

## History

[edit]

Washburn University was established at Topeka, Kansas, in February 1865 as "Lincoln College", by a charter issued by the State of Kansas and the General Association of Congregational Ministers and Churches of Kansas; the land on which the college stood was donated by abolitionist John Ritchie. The institution was renamed "Washburn College" in 1868, after Ichabod Washburn pledged $25,000 to the school. Washburn was a church deacon, abolitionist, and industrialist who lived in Worcester, Massachusetts.[8]

Washburn College adopted a variation of the Washbourne arms as its emblem, substituting the school colors for the tinctures of the arms. Since becoming a university, however, Washburn has abandoned use of the family arms. Instead, the university now employs a stylized "W" as the emblem of the institution. The school mascot, "The Ichabod", is still in use.

"The Ichabod" honors the namesake and early benefactor of the institution, Ichabod Washburn. "The Ichabod" existed only in name until 1938, when alumnus (and later prominent graphic artist) Bradbury Thompson (B.A., 1934) created the studious-looking, tailcoat-wearing figure the university uses today. The athletic teams are nicknamed "Ichabods", although women's teams did not use that nickname until the 2013–14 school year.[8]

In 1913, the medical department of Washburn College closed. The medical school had become infamous on December 10, 1895, when the public discovered that some of the bodies used for anatomical study had been stolen from local cemeteries.[9] As the news was being printed (eventually across the country), the governor, fearing riots, called out state troops to protect the school. Three of the doctors, including the dean of the school, and a student-janitor from the school were arrested, as was one man who was not a member of the school. Charges against the doctors were discharged, the janitor was convicted but had his conviction reversed on appeal, and the fifth man was convicted but later pardoned.[8]

During World War II, Washburn Municipal University was one of 131 colleges and universities in the nation taking part in the V-12 Navy College Training Program, which offered students a path to a Navy commission.[10]

On June 8, 1966, only a few days after classes were dismissed for the summer, much of the campus was demolished by a tornado, and completely denuded of trees.[11] Three months before the tornado struck, the Washburn board of trustees had reinsured every building on campus for the maximum amount. A week after the tornado struck, summer classes began at Topeka West High School. By the fall of 1966, Stoffer Hall was repaired. It took years to reconstruct the campus, with students attending classes in trailers well into the early 1970s.[8]

Formerly a municipal university, the university's primary funding was moved from city property tax to county sales tax sources in 1999, with the school retaining status as a municipal subdivision of the state.[8] Washburn is governed by its own nine-member Board of Regents.[12]

## Organization and administration

[edit]

Aerial view of Washburn campus in 1948 Class of 1900 in front of Rice Hall

Washburn University is governed by a nine-member board of regents. Three, who must be residents of the state of Kansas, are appointed by the governor. Three residents of the City of Topeka, one from each of the state senatorial districts, are appointed by the mayor. One is the mayor or a member of the governing body of the city designated by the mayor. The Shawnee County Commission appoints one member, who must be a resident of Shawnee County but not of the City of Topeka. The Kansas Board of Regents annually selects one of its members to serve on the Washburn Board. Members of the board (with the exception of the Kansas Board of Regents' appointee) serve staggered four-year terms.[12]

### Presidents

[edit]

These persons have served as presidents or interim presidents of Washburn College (1869–1940), Washburn Municipal University of Topeka (1941–1952), and Washburn University (1952–present).[13]

Title  | Name  | Years

|
|

Horatio Q. Butterfield[14] | 1869–1870
Peter McVicar | 1871–1895
George M. Herrick | 1896–1901
Norman Plass | 1902–1908
Frank Knight Sanders | 1908–1914
Parley P. Womer | 1915–1931
Philip C. King | 1931–1941
Arthur G. Sellen | 1941–1942
Bryan S. Stoffer | 1942–1961
Harold E. Sponberg | 1961–1965
John W. Henderson | 1965–1980
John L. Green | 1981–1988
John Duggan | 1988
Robert L. Burns | 1988–1990
Hugh L. Thompson | 1990–1997
Jerry Farley | 1997–2022
Marshall Meek | 2022–2023
JuliAnn Mazachek | 2023–present
15 presidents; 3 interims | 154 years

### Law school

[edit]

Main article: Washburn University School of Law

Formed in 1903,[15] the Washburn School of Law was one of the first in the country to have a legal clinic where students are able to actively practice the legal profession. The Washburn Law Library houses over 380,000 volumes and is the largest in the state.[16] Notable alumni include Bob Dole, Roy Wilford Riegle, Dennis Moore, Kay McFarland, Bill Kurtis, and Fred Phelps.

## Athletics

[edit]

Main article: Washburn Ichabods

See also: Washburn Ichabods football and Washburn Ichabods men's basketball

The Washburn athletic teams are called the Ichabods. The university is a member of the NCAA Division II ranks, primarily competing in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) since the 1989–90 academic year. The Ichabods previously competed in the Central States Intercollegiate Conference (CSIC) of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) from 1976–77 to 1988–89; in the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) from 1972–73 to 1975–76; in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) from 1968–69 to 1971–72; in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (CIC) from 1940–41 to 1967–68 (which they were a member on a previous stint from 1923–24 to 1932–33); as an Independent from 1933–34 to 1939–40; and in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) from 1902–03 to 1922–23.

Washburn competes in 16 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, tennis and track & field (indoor and outdoor); while women's sports include basketball, cross country, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field (indoor and outdoor) and volleyball.

### Nickname

[edit]

The "Ichabods" nickname is named after the university's contributor Ichabod Washburn, who was also the founder of Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Prior to the 2013–14 season, the women's athletic teams were known as the "Lady Blues". On May 24, 2013, President Farley announced that all athletic teams will be known as the Ichabods for the first time in history.[17]

## Student life

[edit]

Undergraduate demographics as of Fall 2023[18] Race and ethnicity  | Total

|

White | 62%  |

Hispanic | 15%  |

Black | 8%  |

Two or more races | 7%  |

International student | 5%  |

Unknown  | 2%  |

American Indian/Alaska Native | 1%  |

Asian | 1%  |

Economic diversity
Low-income[a] | 37%  |

Affluent[b] | 63%  |

### Greek life

[edit]

Greek Life at Washburn University has existed since 1909. There are several fraternities and sororities on campus.

## Campus attractions

[edit]

* Crane Observatory houses an 1898 Warner & Swasey refracting telescope.
* Mulvane Art Museum opened in 1924. The museum's permanent collection emphasizes the work of artists of Kansas and the Midwest.
* Walking Bods, seven steel sculptures crafted by Barrett DeBusk.

## Notable alumni

[edit]

Main article: List of Washburn University alumni

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ The percentage of students who received an income-based federal Pell grant intended for low-income students.
2. ^ The percentage of students who are a part of the American middle class at the bare minimum.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "The Second Era of Washburn, 1915-1965" washburn.edu; retrieved August 9, 2023
2. ^ Martha Imparato. "Washburn University History" (PDF). Retrieved September 9, 2015.
3. ^ As of June 30, 2020. U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2020 Endowment Market Value and Change in Endowment Market Value from FY19 to FY20 (Report). National Association of College and University Business Officers and TIAA. February 19, 2021. Archived from the original on February 21, 2021. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
4. ^ "Board of Regents Announces 2023 Fall Semester Enrollment" (PDF). September 27, 2023. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
5. ^ "Washburn University - Profile, Rankings & Data". usnews.com. US News Best Colleges.
6. ^ "IPEDS-Washburn University of Topeka".
7. ^ Washburn University Brand Book (PDF). October 31, 2024. Retrieved March 10, 2025.
8. ^ a b c d e "History". washburn.edu. Archived from the original on October 31, 2016. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
9. ^ "WILL PUNISH THE BODY STEALERS; Kansas Medical College Officials Make a Public Announcement". The New York Times. December 13, 1895. p. 9\. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 31, 2025.
10. ^ "McDonald, Billy Ray "B.R."". The Dwight D. Eisenhower Foundation. 2000. Archived from the original on December 24, 2011. Retrieved September 29, 2011.
11. ^ "Stories of the 1966 Topeka Tornado". washburn.edu. Archived from the original on December 5, 2021. Retrieved March 26, 2014.
12. ^ a b Board of Regents, Washburn University
13. ^ "Meet the President". washburn.edu. Archived from the original on July 11, 2016. Retrieved November 8, 2013.
14. ^ "Welcome to Washburn". Washburn University website. Archived from the original on July 11, 2016. Retrieved May 3, 2016. "Past Presidents 1869 – 1870: Horatio Q. Butterfield"
15. ^ "Law School History". Archived from the original on February 25, 2008. Retrieved December 14, 2008.
16. ^ "Washburn Law Library". Archived from the original on January 14, 2009. Retrieved December 14, 2008.
17. ^ "Washburn Athletics". Archived from the original on January 14, 2024. Retrieved November 25, 2013.
18. ^ "College Scorecard: Washburn University". College Scorecard. United States Department of Education. Retrieved June 23, 2025.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Washburn University.

Wikisource has the text of the 1920 Encyclopedia Americana article Washburn College.

* Official website
* Washburn Athletics website
* "Washburn College" . Collier's New Encyclopedia. 1921.

* v
* t
* e

Washburn University

Academics|

* School of Law
* Washburn Institute of Technology

Athletics|

| Overview|

* Washburn Ichabods (Conference)
* Ichabod Washburn

|

Teams|

* Basketball
* Men's
* Women's
* Football
* Seasons
* Turnpike Tussle

Facilities|

* Yager Stadium at Moore Bowl
* Lee Arena

People|

* Athletic Director
* Loren Ferré
* Bob Chipman

Misc.|

* KTWU
* Crane Observatory
* Alumni

* Established: 1865

Links to related articles

* v
* t
* e

Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association

Full members|

* Arkansas–Fort Smith Lions
* Central Missouri Mules & Jennies
* Central Oklahoma Bronchos
* Emporia State Hornets
* Fort Hays State Tigers
* Missouri Southern Lions
* Missouri Western Griffons
* Nebraska–Kearney Lopers
* Newman Jets
* Northeastern State RiverHawks
* Northwest Missouri Bearcats
* Pittsburg State Gorillas
* Rogers State Hillcats
* Washburn Ichabods

Associate members|

* Augustana Vikings1
* Harding Bisons1
* Ouachita Baptist Tigers1 2
* Southeastern Oklahoma Savage Storm1
* Southern Arkansas Muleriders1

* 1men's tennies
* 2men's wrestling

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Kansas colleges and universities

Public institutions|

* Emporia State
* Fort Hays State
* University of Kansas
* Kansas State
* Pittsburg State
* Washburn
* Wichita State

Private institutions|

* Baker
* Barclay
* Benedictine
* Bethany
* Bethel
* Central Christian
* Cleveland University
* Friends
* Hesston
* Kansas Christian
* Kansas Wesleyan
* Manhattan Christian
* McPherson
* MidAmerica Nazarene
* Newman
* Ottawa
* Saint Mary's
* Saint Paul
* Southwestern
* Sterling
* Tabor
* University of Saint Mary

Community colleges|

* Allen
* Barton
* Butler
* Cloud County
* Coffeyville
* Colby
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* Dodge City
* Fort Scott
* Garden City
* Highland
* Hutchinson
* Independence
* Johnson County
* Kansas City Kansas
* Labette
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* Pratt
* Seward County

Technical colleges|

* Flint Hills Tech
* Fort Hays Tech North Central
* Manhattan Area Tech
* Northwest Kansas Tech
* Salina Area Tech
* Washburn Institute of Technology
* WSU Tech

Federal/military colleges|

* Haskell Indian Nations
* US Army Command and General Staff

Defunct colleges|

* List

Governing body: Kansas Board of Regents

Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI

Geographic|

* MusicBrainz place

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