Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center Accommodations

Located on Washburn’s campus off 17th and Jewell, the Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center sits across the street from White Concert Hall and Mulvane Art Museum. The facility is designed to serve the needs of alumni, the university and the Topeka community.

The following facilities are available for rent for University and community use. Amenities available with rental are listed at the bottom of this page. Visit University Scheduling or call 785.670.1725 for questions or to schedule your event.

Ruth Garvey Fink Convocation Hall

After Hours crowd

The showpiece of the center, Ruth Garvey Fink Convocation Hall is located on the west side of the building. It features a fireplace on the east end and large windows fronted by three columns on the west. The columns overlook the Joss Garden. Two-hundred guests can be seated for dinner in the hall, and space can be divided into three rooms. Doors on the south lead to a service kitchen equipped with a dishwasher, warming oven, refrigerator and ice maker. Rental of the convocation hall includes use of the Joss Reception Gallery and Joss Garden. The convocation hall is used for numerous Alumni Association events, by other departments on campus and for weddings and receptions.

Convocation Hall occupancy and room configuration

Reception (no seating): 490
Lecture (chairs only): 250
Banquet (27 tables with eight people per table): 216
Banquet with dance floor: 175-190

Note: Seating capacity is estimated and will vary depending on the setup.

Washburn College Bible Room

The Washburn Bible Room

Located on the first floor, the room displays the Washburn College Bible designed by alumnus Bradbury Thompson, ba ’34. The room contains a conference table that seats 15 people.

Joss Reception Gallery

The entrance through the main doors on the east side leads to the Joss Reception Gallery illuminated by skylights two stories above. The gallery is adaptable for small gatherings and features a custom-made circular staircase leading to the second floor of the facility.

Doris Firestone Joss Garden

Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center

You can enter the 16,500-square-foot garden through the west exits of the Convocation Hall and the gates at the north and south of the garden. Stretching the width of the garden, a brick sidewalk forms a “W” and includes a 5-foot-11 bronze statue of the Ichabod.

Ward D. Martin Board Room

Martin Room

Located on the second floor on the south end of the building, this room contains tables and high-back chairs. It seats up to 25 and includes a wide-screen TV, marking board, telephone and fax machine.

Ora Wade Baker Room

Wade Room

Located on the second floor on the south end of the building, this room contains 18 high-back chairs, a conference table, phone and fax machine.

Amenities

If you rent the Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center, you have access to a number of items, including several at no cost.

No-cost items

Chairs (250 available)
Five-foot round tables, which seat eight (24 available)
Six-foot by 3-foot tables used for registration and food (eight)
Eight-foot by 3-foot tables used for registration and food (eight)
Eight-foot by 18-inch tables (24)
Podium with microphone (1)
Cordless microphone, available for use in the Convocation Hall only (2)
Cordless lapel microphone, available for use in the Convocation Hall only (2)
Overhead projector (1)
Data projector (1)
Projection Screen at 8-square foot (1)
Television and VCR (1)
CD five-disc changer, available for use in the Convocation Hall only (1)
Flip chart/dry-erase board (4)
Easel (4)
Music stand (1)

Items available for a fee

Dance floor at 18 square foot (1) for $150
Beer dispenser, which holds one keg and is equipped with a CO2 tank (2) for $25 each
Grand piano, which cannot be removed from the Convocation Hall (1) for $50
Platform risers at 4-foot by 8-foot (8) for $5 each
Dishware, glassware and flatware serving up to 200 people at $1.24 per plate

The Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center