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The Ichabod Alumni Magazine

There are Ichabods all over campus and all over the world with stories to tell. The Ichabod magazine tells the story of these alumni, friends, faculty, staff and students. Check out past issues below and look for the magazine in mailboxes every fall, winter and spring.

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Active Washburn University alumni, friends and donors receive the printed version free. If you have not been receiving your copy or need to update your contact information, email or call 785.670.1641.

 

WINTER 2024 EditionWinter 2024 The Ichabod magazine cover with picture of the bell tower and snow fallen on campus

From the President

Dear Alumni and Friends,

We enter the new year energized and excited for what the future holds. As I reflect on all we did my first year serving as president of the place I dearly love, I cannot help being excited for the future of Washburn and the students we serve.

As you will read in this issue, we welcomed our largest incoming class in school history this fall. I’m proud of the work everyone, including alumni and friends like you, does to show prospective students why Washburn is so special. I know we have students here today who did not think college was a possibility until they learned Washburn is an affordable place where they can fulfill their educational dreams. That is so exciting!

You will also read about how we are educating the leaders, dreamers and builders of the future. Our Leadership Institute and Learning in the Community programs are combining into one organization this year. We know when students have experiential learning, it transforms them, and the joining together of these two programs will enhance our focus on building leaders who serve. To answer the call of Shawnee County’s need for a well-trained workforce, a registered apprenticeship program is underway at the Washburn Institute of Technology. This program will strengthen the partnership between industry and education in our community. And speaking of serving the community, our School of Nursing celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. How visionary of those trailblazers to start this program back when training was beginning to shift from hospitals to universities. I often tell people one reason Topeka thrives is because of our outstanding health care professionals and facilities. Our School of Nursing is a major part of making that happen.

You’ll read about the men’s tennis doubles team winning a national championship this fall and the soccer team finishing as NCAA runners-up. Our student-athletes do outstanding work and represent Washburn so well in competition and in the classroom. I am so proud of their accomplishments.

We also have two stories of alumni who are making a difference as teachers. Von Hansen, a music professor and percussionist, loved his Washburn experience so much he’s come back to teach and is having tremendous success with his students and his own music. Education graduate Daija Coleman is the reigning Ms. Wheelchair Kansas and first runner-up in the national competition. As a student, she brought her positive and proactive voice forward and advocated to make the education department a more accessible place. I have no doubt she’s an inspiring role model as a fifth-grade teacher too.

There is so much to make us excited, thankful and proud. It’s a great day to be an Ichabod!

JuliAnn Mazachek, Ph.D.
President, Washburn University

 

In this issue:

  • Campus-wide efforts lead to enrollment increases and record freshman class
  • School of Nursing celebrates 50th anniversary in 2024
  • Ms. Wheelchair Kansas breaking down stereotypes, showing capabilities of all in her classroom
  • Soccer finishes as NCAA runner-up, claiming conference and regional titles along the way
 
And more! Read it now.

 

 

Past Editions

2023
       
Winter 2023 alumni magazine cover - The Ichabod statue with a dusting of snow
  Spring 2023 Ichabod magazine cover, roses and a rock wall in front of Morgan Hall   Cover of Fall 2023 Ichabod magazine - Ichabod statue looking toward the sunset over trees

Winter

  • Washburn among best in state and region in latest rankings
  • Blanche Parks closes out record-breaking tenure as regent
  • Drummer for America remembered as talented percussionist, friend to all
  • Soccer team emphasizes positive team culture amid success
  • Standout football player James Letcher, Jr., ready for next step
 

Spring

  • JuliAnn Mazachek begins her tenure as president with big plans
  • New training simulator lets law enforcement officers, criminal justice students and more practice decision-making skills
  • Alumni Barbara Waterman-Peters and Larry Peters are a lifelong work of art
  • The Indoor Athletic Facility has hosted thousands from around the country since its opening
 

Fall

  • New scholarships give Shawnee County students chance to attend Washburn tuition-free
  • Brian Thomas researches the cosmos as physics and astronomy professor
  • Soon after graduating, Maj. Jim Webber worked at nuclear weapon launch centers during Cold War with tremendous responsibilities
  • Men's cross country team running to great success in early years of program re-launch
 
       
2022
       
The Ichabod Magazine Winter 2022 cover - Memorial Union with snow, pine needles in the foreground
  Spring 2022 The Ichabod cover. Sculpture on the lawn north of Memorial Union   The Ichabod Fall 2022 magazine cover

Winter

  • Rick Ellis gave so much to Washburn
  • Washburn will explore the theme of truth
  • Bob Dole lived life of service
  • Ichabod builds up minority community
  • Alumna, veteran honored during 103rd birthday
  • Faith Rottinghaus reflects on volleyball career
 

Spring

  • International Programs ramps back up after COVID-19
  • President Jerry Farley announces his retirement
  • Miss Teen Bahamas chooses Washburn
  • Alumni share memories of Sen. Bob Dole
  • Ron McHenry retires as winningest women's basketball coach
  • Basketball teams make kids with serious and chronic illnesses feel like part of the team
 

Fall

  • A look back at the last 25 years with Jerry and Susan Farley
  • Archaeology students exploring the Brown v. Board site grounds
  • Addication counseling degrees meet demand for careers
  • Lora Westling returns to Washburn as women's basketball coach
  • Softball team wins 2022 MIAA regular season championship
 
       
2021
       
The Ichabod winter 2021 issue
  The Ichabod magazine spring 2021   the Ichabod magazine fall 2021

Winter

  • Students tracking turtles in the midwest
  • Discussing sustainability during WUmester
  • Alumni farmer, professors discuss water conservation
  • Alumnus serving as governor's chief of staff
  • Nursing graduate heroes during COVID-19
  • Opening the new Indoor Athletic Facility
 

Spring

  • Foster youth adapting as they attend Washburn
  • Washburn Tech East continues to adapt offerings
  • Librarian Sean Bird and his national award
  • Elementary educators adapting during the pandemic
  • Retired police chief and adjunct instructor Ron Brown
  • Student-athletes advocating for social and racial justice
 

Fall

  • The Mulvane acquires $2 million photography collection
  • Dean Carpenter keeps nursing students involved with community
  • Largest gift in school history will benefit several areas
  • Stained-glass windows from before 1966 tornado return
  • Student-athletes take advantage at another shot
  • National golfer of the year takes chance at pro tours
 
       
2020
       

Marching band member in uniform on cover of The Ichabod winter 2020

  Spring 2020 Alumni Mag   The Ichabod magazine fall 2020

Winter

  • Active student forensic investigators
  • WU-mester explores citizenship and suffrage
  • Alumni leaders in nursing, utilities and nonprofits
  • Curating a new museum
  • Prioritizing mental health for student-athletes
  • Bods Care connects students young and old
 

Spring

  • Staying resolute during COVID-19
  • Studying the Iowa Caucus
  • Alumna moves to top spot on Kansas courts
  • World-renowned marine life photographer
  • Spreading her love of travel and volunteering
  • Combat veteran leading baseball team
 

Fall

  • Student creations with the Mulvane's collection
  • Traditional students and prison inmates studying together
  • Cosmetology graduate working in New York modeling industry
  • Battling obstacles and doubters to overcome dystonia
  • KC Star opinion writer approaches tough subjects with focus on conversation
  • Ichabod All-American looks to make it in NFL
 
       
2019
       
Winter 2019 Ichabod magazine cover with Bob Dole statue on front
  The Ichabod magazine spring 2019   Ichabod Magazine 2019 fall cover, Ichabod Plaza statue at sunset

Winter

  • Sen. Bob Dole statue unveiled
  • KTWU giraffe cams
  • Alumnus serves all three government branches
  • Scoring a film
  • 50 years of women's athletics
  • Volleyball's wish come true
 

Spring

  • Recycled Rides 25th car
  • 50 years of White Concert Hall
  • Retiring deans
  • Alumni leading charities
  • Dancing Blues win another national title
  • National teaching award for alumna
 

Fall

  • Brown v. Board 65th anniversary
  • Tish Graham and women in technology
  • Successful CEO Greg Brenneman helping others
  • Love Takes Flight for alumni couple
  • Corey Ballentine excels in journey toward NFL
  • Washburn remembers Dwane Simmons

 

 

 

 

 

2018
 

 

 

 

Magazine cover

 

The Ichabod Spring 2018

 

The Ichabod Fall 2018

Winter

  • Homegrown leaders
  • Community health care
  • Peru trip
  • Big hearts in Texas
  • An Uber executive
  • Athletic training partnership
 

Spring

  • WTE celebrates 10 years
  • Counseling Services & WUPD
  • Patricia Joyce retires
  • Entomologist returns to campus
  • Topeka Mural Project
  • Skeens basketball dynasty
 

Fall

  • Snooks retire after 28 years
  • New law dean embraces diversity, inclusion
  • Alumnus leads NASA restoration project
  • Alumna doctor overcomes hearing loss
  • Three Academic All-Americans in one year
  • Coaching overseas
         
2017
       

The Ichabod - Spring 2016-17

 

The Ichabod Spring 2016-17 Cover

 

The Ichabod fall 2017 magazine cover

Winter

  • The Ichabod Success Institute
  • A muralist
  • A trip to Cuba
  • A reporter and a police officer making an impact
  • A Hollywood hopeful
  • A new softball coach
 

Spring

  • President Farley's 20 years
  • Crafting a legacy in retirement
  • Campaign wrap-up
  • Roaches in the classroom
  • Texas-sized leadership
  • Coach Chipman's 42 years
 

Fall

  • Uncovering Kansas
  • STEM education
  • Rita Blitt's legacy
  • An unconventional life overseas
  • Family ties to Ichabod Washburn
  • A new coach building trust
         
2016
       

The Ichabod Magazine

 

The Ichabod Magazine

 

The Ichabod Magazine

Winter
  • Rita and Irwin Blitt gift to Mulvane
  • Public servant Jim Slattery
  • Grand Homecoming review
  • KBI Part I
  • Physical therapist Nicole Perkuhn
  Spring
  • 50-year anniversary of the 1966 tornado
  • Law student Alosha Moore
  • Resources for veterans at Washburn
  • KBI Part II
  • Sumo wrestling gold medalist Roy Sims
 

Fall

  • University rebranding
  • Debate team success
  • Business student success
  • Alumnae empowering girls
  • Honorary status for Delta Gamma cook
  • Alumnus Bob Davis on his final call
         
2015
       

The Ichabod Magazine

 

The Ichabod Magazine

 

Winter
  • Federal judge Nancy Moritz
  • Washburn's sesquicentennial
  • Successful NFL Ichabods
  Spring
  • Baseball team's hot start under new coach
  • Founders Day
  • The discovering of a memorial for a fallen alumnus
 

Fall

  • Jeff Kready, Nikki Renee Daniels and Broadway in the Heartland
  • Grand Homecoming and sesquicentennial
  • Alumni legacy scholarship
         
2014
       
The Ichabod Magazine
  The Ichabod Magazine    

Spring

  • Washburn's master plan
  • KBI building update
  • Washburn Tech signing day
 

Fall

  • Alumnus and longtime major-leaguer Davey Lopes
  • New student housing
  • KBI facility
   
 
       
2013
       
The Ichabod Magazine
  The Ichabod Magazine   The Ichabod Magazine

Spring

  • WUper Bowl
  • Washburn Tech Advance System Technology program
  • Etzel pledge
 

Fall

  • Washburn Tech Midwest Training Center
  • Heitz pledge
  • Boulevard project
 

Winter

  • KBI building
  • Washburn Tech auto and diesel facilities
  • Alumni waiver
 
       
2012
       
The Ichabod Magazine
  The Ichabod Magazine   The Ichabod Magazine

Spring

  • Service to the community
  • Challenge Event
  • Bods in the NFL
 

Fall

  • "Our Boys"
  • New website launch
  • Summerson pledge
 

Winter

  • Welcome Center
  • Art Auction
  • Homecoming

 

2011
Alumni magazine cover   Alumni magazine cover        
Spring   Winter        
             
2010
Alumni magazine cover   Alumni magazine cover   Alumni magazine cover    
Spring   Summer   Fall (pdf unavailable)    
             
2009
Alumni magazine cover   Alumni magazine cover   Alumni magazine cover   Alumni magazine cover
Spring   Summer   Fall   Winter
             
2008
Alumni magazine cover   Alumni magazine cover   Alumni magazine cover   Alumni magazine cover
Spring   Summer   Fall   Winter
             
2007
Alumni magazine cover   Alumni magazine cover   Alumni magazine cover   Alumni magazine cover
Spring   Summer   Fall   Winter
             
2006
Alumni magazine cover   Alumni magazine cover   Alumni magazine cover   Alumni magazine cover
Spring   Summer   Fall   Winter
             
2005
Alumni magazine cover   Alumni magazine cover   Alumni magazine cover   Alumni magazine cover
Spring   Summer   Fall   Winter

The Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center

WHY JOIN the Washburn University ALUMNI ASSOCIATION?

  • Engage with alumni through free or discounted events like After Hours, tailgates and Wake Up With Washburn.
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  • Support the Alumni Association scholarship fund with your dues.
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1729 MacVicar Avenue
Topeka, KS 66604 Phone: 785.670.4483
Email: contactus@wualumni.org