From The Ichabod - Spring 2020
As Washburn was on spring break, much of the world was beginning to make decisions regarding closures because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and Washburn decided, like most other academic institutions, to move its spring classes online. Faculty and staff had one week to make sure students could continue getting the resources important to their success.
From The Ichabod - Spring 2020
Iowa commands months of attention in presidential politics every four years. Campaigns and dreams are born and die in this state as the two major political parties begin the process of choosing their nominee for the nation’s highest office. Washburn University students get a front-row seat.
From The Ichabod - Spring 2020
Natalie Peterman shadowed a nurse in rural Kansas during a pre-nursing class before coming to Washburn University. “I absolutely loved it,” she said. “I saw the hard work rural nurses do and the impact it makes for the community, and I thought it was something I would really like to do in the future.”
From The Ichabod - Spring 2020
Outside Chief Justice Marla Luckert's desk, the Kansas State Capitol sits proudly, seeming to scrape the Midwestern sky. “It’s a good reminder. I want to do everything I can for citizens of Kansas to make access to justice more than just a statement we throw out. It’s something real and meaningful.”
From The Ichabod - Spring 2020
For the last 10 years, the Thomas Fox Averill Kansas Studies Collection at Washburn University has become an exhaustive body of work dedicated to Kansas literature. Housed in Mabee Library, the collection enhances the study of Kansas literature through the state’s folklore, history, geography and culture.
From The Ichabod - Spring 2020
“A huge school of hammerheads came straight toward me out of the blue. They went right over me and then just stayed there. So I wondered, how close would they let me come? I rose up out of the crevice and swam up in the open water right into the middle of the school and got a couple of unbelievable pictures.”
From The Ichabod - Spring 2020
Mariana Yoshita is a world traveler by heart, a Brazilian citizen by passport, a proud Washburn alumna, and has already visited 34 countries. “My experience at Washburn University was exceptional,” Yoshita said. “It was just the start of my international business career.”
From The Ichabod - Spring 2020
At age 25, Eric Hinostroza already has a lifetime of experiences. Between his first and second seasons at Kansas City Kansas Community College, the Brandon, Florida, native got married, became a father of two and spent four years serving in the U.S. Army. Now he's a leader on the Ichabod baseball team.
From The Ichabod - Spring 2020
One of the things Ron Wasserstein is remembered for at Washburn is his ability to have fun while raising funds for the school. In 1996, he made a challenge to faculty and staff for their annual campaign: If half the faculty contributed at least a dollar, he would belly flop into the White Concert Hall fountain. They rose to the challenge, and that fall he had to pay up.
From The Ichabod - Spring 2020
Running a 300-year-old business is no easy feat. It takes passion, commitment and creativity – and for Bill Eldien, personal enjoyment of the product he’s selling. As CEO and president of Nolet Spirits USA, a family-owned distillery founded in Holland in 1691, Eldien still remembers the time he tried Nolet’s Ketel One Vodka on a whim. It was love at first sip.
From The Ichabod - Spring 2020
When he’s not hosting his weekday sports talk show, the 6-foot-4 former wide receiver crams into a car and travels to nearly every Washburn football and basketball contest to call the game. After all the uneventful drives, it may come as a surprise to hear the Voice of the Ichabods refer to a 2014 flight to Hawaii as his “trip from hell.”
From The Ichabod - Spring 2020
Washburn student-athletes were preparing for competitions in March as leagues around the world were canceling because of COVID-19. The Ichabods went on as usual until they got the same heartbreaking news about their seasons. As it sunk in, they have been finding ways to finish classes and remain connected while looking ahead to brighter days.
From The Ichabod - Spring 2020
Lou Olsen has worked at Washburn for 36 years, spending all but two years in Human Resources. As supporters of Ichabod athletics, Lou and Tommy Olsen enjoy watching local athletes come to Washburn, have successful playing careers and return as employees or fellow donors and fans.
From Law Alumni Newsletter - Spring 2020
Larry Dimmitt, jd ’68, finished the last two years of his legal education taking classes in trailers. After graduating, he proudly watched a new law school building rise on a campus scourged by a tornado. Now, 50 years later, he and his wife, Lois, heartily made a $100,000 gift toward a new building that will meet the changing demands of legal education.
From Law Alumni Newsletter - Spring 2020
Lindsay Bayles’s family history at Washburn goes back two generations, but when she and her husband decided to study law, the decision to attend Washburn was not an automatic one. They ultimately decided on Washburn, the same school Lindsay’s father, Tom Bayles, mba ’94, jd ’97, chose, and her grandfather, James Bayles, taught law at.
From Law Alumni Newsletter - Spring 2020
Like most things, Kate Langworthy’s success as a Scottish Highland games athlete is dictated by her amount of training. “Trying to juggle law school, motherhood, and life in general, sometimes training gets pushed to the wayside,” she said. “Just like in law school, if you're not putting in the time outside of class, it's going to translate to your outcome.”
From The Ichabod - Winter 2020
In an election year, census year and year that celebrates milestone anniversaries of the right to vote in the United States, the theme of this year’s WUmester, citizenship and suffrage, is not only timely, but important. Washburn University will make the topic prevalent in many of its courses and events this spring semester.
From The Ichabod - Winter 2020
The oldest art museum in Kansas celebrated its 95th birthday with a special announcement of its acquisition of Brian Lanker’s photographs from his book “I Dream A World: Portraits of Black Women Who Changed America.” The exhibition and book presents an African American female view of the world, accompanied by the critically-acclaimed portraits.
From The Ichabod - Winter 2020
The words and actions of a Washburn alumna more than 100 years ago helped fuel the national fight for women to vote. Marian (McGaw) Wellhouse, ba 1911, moved to the east coast prior to adoption of the 19th Amendment. She marched at the White House, met with Congressmen and had her words published, becoming part of the collective voice.
From The Ichabod - Winter 2020
In a country that seems more politically divided than ever, Washburn students from opposing sides of the political spectrum have united with a common goal. Members of the Washburn College Democrats and College Republicans organizations teamed up in the fall to encourage fellow classmates to register.
From The Ichabod - Winter 2020
One hundred years ago sounds like a long time, but the 19th Amendment that granted women the right to vote is just as significant today. At Nashville Public Library, director and Washburn University alumnus Kent Oliver is honoring this critical component of democracy by spearheading a multimedia experience celebrating the amendment.
From The Ichabod - Winter 2020
Law enforcement agencies have surveyed the scene and need help identifying human remains. Everything the forensic anthropology students learned will now be put to work. This is no longer an exercise in the dig site outside the KBI lab on campus. This is an active investigation and the beginning of a recovery process hopefully bringing closure and justice.
From The Ichabod - Winter 2020
With messy faces and between bites of pizza, kids at Meadows Elementary School in Topeka visited with four student-athletes from the Washburn University women’s basketball team in October. This was one of hundreds of visits Ichabods have had since Bods Care started in 2018, each one a chance for a priceless connection.
From The Ichabod - Winter 2020
Lauren Edelman, ba '11, was a senior at Washburn when she served as the first Leadership Challenge Event student fellow in 2011. Today, she’s the interim director of the Leadership Institute and mentors the current fellow, senior Claire Leffingwell, for the upcoming 10th annual Leadership Challenge Event.
From The Ichabod - Winter 2020
Janice Watkins is executive director of Topeka Habitat for Humanity. As a Washburn student, she earned Washburn Women's Alliance scholarships for single parents. Now, she’s helping give back by serving on the WWA board.
From The Ichabod - Winter 2020
Suzanne Lane’s career in the energy industry has surged in the past year. The CEO of Kansas Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. recently attended a nuclear reactor technology program at MIT to learn more about the safety aspects, benefits and challenges of nuclear energy and bring the knowledge back to her company's 300,000 rural Kansas customers.
From The Ichabod - Winter 2020
Dina Bennett grew up around blues and gospel music, or whatever her father’s band Roland Bennett and the Rockin’ Whalers were playing that evening. Now she's helping build the National Museum of African American Music from the ground up, curating exhibits that show the legacy of African American music from its beginnings.
From The Ichabod - Winter 2020
If an athlete sprains an ankle or pulls a hamstring, treatment will undoubtedly take place until the injury heals. Mental health hasn’t always received the same kind of attention in the world of sports. Washburn University’s athletic and psychology departments have been proactive about changing that mindset.
From The Ichabod - Winter 2020
During her lifetime, Lydia Akumu Oika, bsn ’02, was always a pioneer. In 1998, she moved to Topeka from her home in Nairobi, Kenya, to pursue a degree in nursing at Washburn University. The result is a family business she started and a legacy of hard work and determination.
From Bell Tower - Fall 2019
New marching band uniforms were purchased following one of the largest crowdfunding campaigns in University history, which raised $100,000 for 200 new uniforms. The campaign was kick-started by a $50,000 matching donation from David Woods, b music ’65, and his husband, Ted Yungclas, who honored the memory of former band director James Van Slyke.
From Bell Tower - Fall 2019
Bill and Emilie Gahnstrom set up a challenge gift to rally financial support for upgrades to Washburn's softball facilities. The resulting new fieldturf and other features were unveiled during a ribbon cutting this fall, giving the Ichabods a facelift to their home field that was only able to host four games in 2018 due to weather constraints.
From Bell Tower - Fall 2019
As alumni, Jim and Kathy Maag have served the University extensively through volunteering and with their financial resources. They have also chosen to make Washburn a permanent part of the legacy through a planned gift to support three scholarships for the School of Business, music department and tennis team.
From Bell Tower - Fall 2019
When major renovations began at Washburn University’s Henderson Hall this summer, one fact became quickly apparent: The almost 50-year-old building has good bones.
From Washburn Lawyer - Fall 2019
During his 43 years as a professor at Washburn Law, Bill Rich has seen a lot of changes in legal education. Class sizes have gotten smaller, resulting in better opportunities for interactions with students. Long-time faculty members have become well versed in the art of teaching. And perhaps the biggest change of all: Technology has taken on a prominent role.
From Washburn Lawyer - Fall 2019
When it comes to his 30-year career as a professor at Washburn Law, David Pierce, jd ’77, says he has his wife, Martha Pierce, bsn ’77, to thank. The couple married while they were both undergraduates at Pittsburg State University in Southeast Kansas, and Martha attended nursing school at Washburn while David studied law.
From Washburn Lawyer - Fall 2019
For Jay and Danielle Hall, Washburn Law’s trial advocacy program is the gift that keeps on giving. Jay, ba ’04, jd ’07, and Danielle, ba ’06, jd ’09, each participated in the program while attending law school, and the married couple has been coaching trial advocacy teams together since 2010.
From Washburn Lawyer - Fall 2019
Washburn Law remains the ideal place to impact the world through a legal education. The impact may best be seen in the roles Washburn-trained lawyers played in the landmark Brown v. Board case ultimately decided by the U.S. Supreme Court. Washburn hosted a celebration of the 1954 decision with a banquet on the 65th anniversary earlier this year.
From Washburn Lawyer - Fall 2019
When Lynn Ward, jd ’90, attended Washburn Law, she got much more than just a quality legal education. In some of her classes, another student caught her eye. Dale Ward, jd ’90, was not afraid to answer or ask questions, and Lynn said she could tell right away that he was “pretty smart.”
From Law Alumni Newsletter - Fall 2019
Exposing students to Native American legal issues is the goal of the re-activated Native American Law Student Association and its organizers. Tonya Kowalski, professor of law, is advising the organization. "The lawyers we are training need to have exposure to these issues because they can do harm without even realizing it,” Kowalski said.
From Law Alumni Newsletter - Fall 2019
The Honorable Lee Johnson, jd ’80, had the chance to observe appellate arguments and study appellate briefs while a student at Washburn University School of Law. When he graduated and returned to Caldwell, Kansas, to practice he knew where he wanted to go in his career.
From The Ichabod - Fall 2019
Washburn Law remains the ideal place to impact the world through a legal education. The impact may best be seen in the roles Washburn-trained lawyers played in the landmark Brown v. Board case ultimately decided by the U.S. Supreme Court. Washburn hosted a celebration of the 1954 decision with a banquet on the 65th anniversary earlier this year.
From The Ichabod - Fall 2019
Ichabods Moving Forward is a student-led organization that raises money for an emergency fund to help recipients get through one-time financial emergencies when all other resources have been exhausted. The group is in its third year and began awarding grants last year, including one that helped a student land a dream job.
From The Ichabod - Fall 2019
“I once drove a live truck through a forest fire in the mountains of Central California to get video back.” Tish Graham (Nelson) is never one to shy away from a challenge. In fact, Graham believes her motto of “never saying no” is what got her to where she is today – serving as ABC Owned Television Stations VP of broadcast technology.
From The Ichabod - Fall 2019
“What are your eulogy virtues, not just your resume virtues? What do you want someone to say at your funeral? I suggest people use the five Fs – faith, family, friends, fitness and finance."
From The Ichabod - Fall 2019
Corey Ballentine has spent his life overcoming hurdles on his path to the NFL. Hours after his dream was realized with a selection by the New York Giants, the day that was supposed to be his happiest was marred by a shooting that killed his best friend and Washburn teammate. He's worked this summer to overcome that and secure a roster spot.
From The Ichabod - Fall 2019
Football Coach Craig Schurig said part of the team's focus this season will be on remembering and honoring fallen teammate Dwane Simmons. “You can see his closeness to others, not just Washburn football, but Washburn Athletics and the University as a whole. We’d like to have his legacy be as strong as possible.”
From The Ichabod - Fall 2019
Kristi and Brenden Sneegas have shared a life of compassion toward others since meeting at Washburn. Brendan works for Angel Flight Central, which arranges charitable medical flights for people in need, and Kristi is a registered nurse with Pentec Health treating patients with chronic pain and spasticity disorders.
From The Ichabod - Fall 2019
Richard Ross remembers persuading his parents to let him spend a semester in Denmark while a student at Washburn. “I was wanting to convince my parents this trip was a good idea and I ran across a quote: ‘Travel teaches toleration.’ I have never forgotten that quote."
From The Ichabod - Fall 2019
As a Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation tribal citizen, Jacob Wamego has lived his whole life on the reservation, so he understands the needs of the community. Having succeeded in a leadership role, he is now trying to give back and help the next generation of tribal citizens. A growing part of this outreach includes becoming more involved with Washburn.
From The Ichabod - Fall 2019
A warm welcome that included brushing mortar off a dusty couch weeks after the 1966 tornado was enough to convince Stan Wiechert that Washburn was the place for him. Since then, 11 family members, spread across four generations, have enrolled at Washburn.
From The Ichabod - Fall 2019
When Washburn University’s mass media department decided to launch its first film festival, Matthew Nyquist worried they wouldn’t get enough entries for a successful festival. After all, there were less than six months between its inception and the actual event. Leave it to the filmmakers to provide a happy ending.
From The Ichabod - Fall 2019
When Paul Mismaque came to the United States from France, Washburn's Center for Student Success and Retention gave him the resources he needed to succeed. Now he's helping new first-year students as a senior peer educator. The program was recently awarded for its work with student mentoring.
From The Ichabod - Fall 2019
Mike Racy got his start at Washburn where the small setting made him feel he could make a difference. He has since built similar opportunities as commissioner of the MIAA, Washburn's athletic conference since 1989. He talked this summer about changes in the MIAA and what excites him about the balanced experience student-athletes get.
From Foundation Focus - Summer 2019
The School of Law has been offering a robust summer externship program as part of its Rural Law Program since 2017 thanks to a grant from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation. The goal of the program is to provide students opportunities to experience life and practice law in a rural community, as well as to interest them in pursuing careers in rural Kansas.
From Foundation Focus - Summer 2019
The visions of many others have helped Rosemary Menninger shape her careers, her community involvement and philanthropic efforts. Along the way, gifts she has made to Washburn have been made with intention and her belief in the power of the programs.
From Foundation Focus - Summer 2019
Gary Eisenbarth grew up in Topeka and chose Washburn because it was affordable – he could go to school and still live with his parents. He and his wife, Mary, met in high school and came to Washburn together. Inspired by the work faculty do to support today's students, they created the Gary and Mary Eisenbarth Business Scholarship Fund.
From Foundation Focus - Summer 2019
Sharing opportunities with Garden City and the southwest Kansas communities has been at the heart of the Finnup family and the Finnup Foundation for more than a century. A generous annual gift from the Foundation goes toward scholarships for Washburn students who have graduated from Foundation's the surrounding area.
From Foundation Focus - Summer 2019
Bob Meinershagen had a lot of trust in faculty members while a student at Washburn, and his relationship with the biology department today is no different. He and his wife established the Robert E. and Helen L. Meinershagen Excellence in Biology Fund and they continue to support the fund every year with a generous gift.