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Ichabods Moving Forward Continues to Grow

Aug. 30, 2021

The Ichabods Moving Forward Executive Council is excited for the return of students on campus for Weeks of Welcome and classes! Though Washburn will hold most classes in-person, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact Washburn students physically, financially and emotionally. 

As Washburn started the spring semester in January, however, the Washburn community continued to support campus initiatives and organizations through Washburn’s Annual Day of Giving. Ichabods Moving Forward channeled its fundraising efforts into social media campaigns as an alternative to in-person activities.

Because of the support of gracious donors, alumni and students, Ichabods Moving Forward received more than $5,000 from the Day of Giving fundraiser. 

Ichabods Moving Forward also received a generous grant from the Washburn Women’s Venture Partners to sustain funds and support students throughout the pandemic. All funds will go directly back to students who apply for emergency assistance. 

As the fall semester jumps into full swing, the Ichabods Moving Forward Executive Council will focus on the goals set during their retreat and welcome new council members. The Executive Council also looks forward to getting involved with Weeks of Welcome, alumni and campus events to spread awareness about the emergency fund. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to challenge Ichabods Moving Forward to think creatively about fundraising and outreach. 

It is crucial the Washburn community continue to support students throughout the pandemic and the transition back to in-person learning. The Executive Council accepts applications for funding on a rolling basis. If you or anyone you know needs financial assistance, please reach out to ichabodsmovingforward@wualumni.org.

 

Students in masks on campus
Ichabods Moving Forward through COVID-19

Dec. 3, 2020

In the middle of the spring 2020 semester, COVID-19 hit, which led to the transition to all online classes for Washburn University and its students. This was a difficult transition for students all around due to the unique challenges that it represented.

Ichabods Moving Forward stepped up during this time to help those students who needed emergency assistance. We received a tremendous amount of donations from Washburn organizations, alumni and friends in the Topeka community. The Washburn Student Government Association gave $30,000 and the Washburn University Alumni Association & Foundations board of trustees gave in the amount of $25,000. These gifts significantly helped our emergency fund in this time of crisis.

The purpose of Ichabods Moving Forward is to empower students and help them during a time of need so they may be able to continue their studies without interruption. The COVID-19 crisis was especially impactful due to the immediate crisis for students who lost their jobs and/or had to relocate while still continuing their classes.

Some of the emergency assistance that Ichabods Moving Forward provided was related to rent, emergency car situations, groceries and the purchase of computers in orders to help them continue online learning.

As a result, the student emergency assistance fund helped more than 85 students during the COVID-19 crisis, which represented over $40,000.

This impact would not have been possible without our donors and supporters who help make the students’ journey a bit easier thanks to the donations.

This fall semester, Ichabods Moving Forward executive council is focused on finding new ways to engage Washburn’s students.

Ichabods Moving Forward is here to help. We are currently still accepting applications for emergency funding. If you have any questions about this process or about donating, please contact us at ichabodsmovingforward@wualumni.org.

 

Moving Forward in a Crisis

March 23, 2020

A car accident, the unforeseen loss of a job or a sudden family tragedy can all derail an Ichabod’s college career - not only emotionally, but financially. The COVID-19 pandemic will likely be a similar threat to some students’ physical, mental and financial health.

When financial circumstances take a turn for the worse and unforeseen costs arise, many students may feel they are left with only one viable option: withdrawing from their classes and abandoning their dreams of pursuing a college education. That’s where Ichabods Moving Forward comes in.

The COVID-19 pandemic has temporarily upended the college experience for many Ichabods. Washburn University has reacted quickly to help slow the spread of the virus. Classes are now being held online for the remainder of the spring 2020 semester, and students have been instructed to move out of the residence halls, leaving some Ichabods displaced and scrambling to make arrangements.

The student emergency assistance fund by Ichabods Moving Forward is here to assist those who are going through a temporary financial crisis. Whether this fund is used to purchase a textbook, help with an unexpected car repair or an unexpected medical expense, our mission is to help Ichabods in difficult circumstances hang on to their college ambitions at Washburn.

This fund is for students, created by students. The reach of Ichabods Moving Forward goes beyond the financial grants we award. We are also passionate about fostering a culture of philanthropy on campus and educating current students on the importance of giving. We want Washburn students’ philanthropic journey to begin with Ichabods Moving Forward, and last well beyond graduation day through involvement with the Washburn University Alumni Association and Foundation.

The importance of the Ichabods Moving Forward student emergency assistance fund cannot be overstated. As of March 2020, we have awarded over $5,000 in financial assistance grants to Ichabods in need. We are dedicated to continuing to serve as a resource for Washburn students who do not have a financial safety net.

In these unprecedented times, Ichabods Moving Forward is here to help. We are continuing to accept applications for emergency assistance on an ongoing basis. More information about applying for assistance and giving to the fund can be found at the links on this page.

 

Join Us as a Volunteer!

Oct. 16, 2019

Ichabods Moving Forward students volunteering

Launched in fall 2019, the volunteer program that Ichabods Moving Forward created is now ready to receive applications.

"For us, it is an exciting opportunity to raise awareness and bring momentum to our organization,” said Paul Mismaque, a member of Ichabods Moving Forward.

Through the volunteer program, students can benefit as they will be learning about Washburn University, learn how to work in the community, help Ichabods Moving Forward to be more present on campus and raise awareness for our funds to all Washburn students. Volunteers can commit to 1-2 events per semester to assist the Ichabods Moving Forward team with their philanthropic efforts. We understand that college students may not be able to help Ichabods Moving Forward financially, but we hope that they will be able to get involved with us by volunteering. Students can join us now by completing the application.

Created in fall 2018, Ichabods Moving Forward is a student-led philanthropic organization that created a student emergency fund that helps students who have temporary, unforeseen financial needs.

 

Ichabods Moving Forward Continues to Grow

The first few months of 2019 have been busy for Ichabods Moving Forward. We welcomed several new members, raised over $3,000 on Day of Giving, and officially opened the Student Emergency Fund application to all students.

Our new members include Alison Johnson, Andrew Gill, Bayley Baker, Blythe Landon, Clare Bindley and Sarah Pride. IMF hosted a retreat in January of this year to welcome the new members and lay the groundwork for a successful year.

Day of Giving was held on Feb. 6. IMF hosted several on-campus events encouraging students to get involved and create a culture of giving at Washburn. The events included the #ALLforWU breakfast drive-through and celebratory bow tie lessons with Dr. Farley.

Ultimately, IMF raised over $3,000 on Day of Giving. It was the amazing support from over 100 donors that allowed us to finally open the application for the Student Emergency Fund.

We are so thankful for the support of our generous donors. Ichabods Moving Forward is excited about the fund, and encourages all students in need to apply.

For inquiries about Ichabods Moving Forward or the Student Emergency Fund, please contact us at ichabodsmovingforward@wualumni.org.

 

Towering Success

Ichabods Moving Forward members at Bell Tower

Ichabods moving forward had the opportunity to help the Washburn University Alumni Association and Foundation during the Bell Tower reception on Nov. 27, 2018. The Ichabods Moving Forward members helped with the coat check and the valet parking available at the event.

“It was a good opportunity to connect with Washburn alumni and to share our vision about our emergency fund,” said Becca Nyman, member of Ichabods Moving Forward.

Thanks to the generous donations of attendees, Ichabods moving forward was able raise more than $170.

 

Momentun Continues

Nov. 28, 2018

During the past month, Ichabods Moving Forward presented to several different organizations around the Washburn community. In addition, Ichabods Moving Forward attended one of the volleyball games and Greek 101. We are thankful for the support we have received. Student organization presentations have been vital to gaining awareness and support around campus. We appreciate all the organizations that have welcomed our executive council to their meetings.

Thanks to the generosity of students and members of the Washburn campus, Ichabods Moving Forward has raised over $2,000 for the student emergency fund. We will begin distributing funds in January of 2019. The application for the emergency fund will be finalized and become available in the coming weeks.

Ichabods Moving Forward is preparing to add new members to the executive council in January of 2019. These new members will help to maintain momentum for the group as current members graduate. The new executive council will begin serving in January and will assist with projects throughout the following year.

Do you want to have a presentation at one of your meetings? Email us to know more about our mission to help students move forward!

 

Gaining Global Support

Ichabods Moving Forward is gaining support on and off campus. We are in the early stages of building our Student Emergency Fund and will be accepting applications for assistance in January 2019. One of our executive council members, Paul Mismaque, gained our first international donation! Paul is an international student from France. After Family Day, he followed up with his parents to ask why they decided to support Ichabods Moving Forward.

“Bonjour! On Family Day, I had the chance to donate to an organization at Washburn University that has provided my son with opportunities to help his fellow classmates. Ichabod’s Moving Forward is an amazing organization that I believe in because of the opportunities that it can provide for students who are facing difficult times.”

-Dominque Mismaque of Homblieres, Aisne in France

The Student Emergency Fund created by Ichabod’s Moving Forward will provide emergency assistance to students who are going through a temporary financial crisis. Washburn University is a community, together we can support students during the unexpected. Please take a moment to learn more about this organization and if you can, consider donating, the donations will support Ichabods throughout campus.

Do you want to have a presentation at one of your meetings? Email us to know more about our mission to help students move forward!

 

Great Success at Family Day

Ichabods Moving Forward at Family Day

October 2, 2018

During the month of September, Ichabods Moving Forward met with several different organizations on campus. Several of these organizations made a donation as a group to our fund. The organizations that we met with include Zeta Tau Alpha, Alpha Delta, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Phi Delta Theta, Phonathon students, and the Student Athlete Advisory Council.

In addition, we also tabled at the Washburn University Family Day tailgate. We spoke with students and their parents about Ichabods Moving Forward. While tabling at Family Day, we received our first international donor!

Thanks to our generous donors, we have over $1,000 in the student emergency fund. The goal is to have $4,500 in the fund by the end of Day of Giving. We will start accepting assistance applications in January. You can donate online by clicking here.

Do you want to have a presentation at one of your meetings? Email us to know more about our mission to help students move forward!

 

IMF Attends Bowtie Fair

Students at the bowtie fair

Sept. 17, 2018

THANK YOU so much for coming to learn about Ichabods Moving Forward at the Bowtie Fair. It was great to see many Washburn students and to share our vision regarding our emergency fund.

We are happy to announce that we now have t-shirts available. Contact us by email to see how you can get one of those shirts!

Ichabods Moving Forward had the chance to present at the Kappa Sigma Fraternity meeting on Sept. 10 in the Kansas Room of the Memorial Union. We gained over 20 new donors and were able to share our vision regarding the Student Emergency Fund by Ichabods Moving Forward. We are so grateful to have the support of Kappa Sigma.

Family Day is coming up quick, and we will be tabling in the union on Sept. 22 starting at 10:30 a.m. We cannot wait for you to hear more about our ambitions toward helping Washburn students.

Do you want to have a presentation at one of your meetings? Email ichabodsmovingforwards@wualumni.com to know more about our mission to help students move forward!

 

WUFest Success!

Ichabods Moving Forward students at WU Fest

September 4, 2018
By Colin Truhe

The executive committee of Ichabods Moving Forward would like to thank all the students who stopped by our table during the 2018 WUfest. We greatly appreciated you taking the time to learn more about our organization. Our goal for WUFest was to spread awareness about our organization with Washburn students. We were able to accomplish this by handing out buttons, flyers, candy and talking to students about Ichabods Moving Forward. The three executive committee members tabling were Makayla Vargo, Colin Truhe and Becca Nyman, and each found the night to be a huge success for the organization.

“I was really excited to be able to share our message with students and I feel good about how the night turned out. Everyone we talked to was super excited about Ichabods Moving Forward.” Nyman said. “I feel like we have an opportunity to make a positive impact on Washburn’s campus.”

Although still new to campus, we are excited about the potential of making an impact in students’ lives. As we continue to table and have events this fall, we will start collecting donations that will go into our student emergency fund which will become active in January of 2019.

Ichabods Moving Forward will be tabling at the Bowtie event on September 5 in the Washburn Room A/B. To learn more about Ichabods Moving Forward and how to donate, stop by our table between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. to talk with a committee member.

Ichabod mascot

Questions?

If you have questions about Ichabods Moving Forward, contact us at ichabodsmovingforward@wualumni.org or 785.670.1733.

 

GRATITUDE

"With my deepest sincerity, thank you. I cannot tell you how much of a difference this makes. I feel like I can breathe again, and I had not realized how much of my energy and mental focus was spent on financial worries. I genuinely do not know what I would have done without your help and the generosity from the Ichabods Moving Forward program." – Nick

"Being an older non-traditional student is extremely difficult, but it’s even harder when you’re a First Gen, a single parent, AND a small business owner. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, my children and I experienced almost immediate challenges maintaining our stability that threatened my ability to remain in school. Without the help of Ichabods Moving Forward, I’m not sure where we would be until other economic aid becomes available. I am so so so thankful for the help we received during such an overwhelming time. It makes more of a difference to us, now and for our future, than words could ever quantify." - Bailey

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1729 MacVicar Avenue
Topeka, KS 66604 Phone: 785.670.4483
Email: contactus@wualumni.org