Graduation has been a long time coming, and yet fast approaching at the same time. It’s something that students look forward to throughout their college experience, the shiny degree at the end saying “you made it.” But this year it looks a little different, and not necessarily in a good way. 

I came to Washburn as a transfer student, so I have only been here two years rather than the typical four. I wouldn’t have thought much would change in that short amount of time, but the differences are staggering. 

Starting out in the Jerry Farley era, the presidency has now changed to JuliAnn Mazachek. Plass is now a main building rather than one of those secluded buildings that nobody really knows what’s in it. Henderson is being remodeled as well as being renamed. Benton is being torn down completely. Graduation will be in White Concert Hall rather than Lee Arena. And the biggest of them all, the Ichabod logo changed. 

Graduating from college is one of those moments that you wait a lifetime to experience. While I’m excited to be earning my degree, I’m also sad about having to leave a place that was such a big aspect of my life over the last few years. However, it’s starting to feel like a different Washburn than what I’ve known. 

I grew up in Topeka with Washburn being a household name. I wasn’t a student just yet, but I wasn’t a stranger to the university either. 

Tradition is something that I value when it comes to school. I like having history that tells the same story through the lens of 50 years ago. It’s fascinating and it feels like home. Not to mention that traditions connect generations of alumni and it builds school spirit, which is something that our college doesn’t have much of. 

Now, Henderson will soon be named Advisors Excel Hall. To me, it’ll always be Henderson no matter what. It’s hard to change something that’s had an impact on so many people, not just me. 

You might be thinking, “It’s just a building, so why do you care if the name changes?” But it’s more than just a building, it’s what happened in that building over time. For me, that’s where I had my first Washburn course, in Henderson room 107. I remember showing up everyday to that class so excited for my future, knowing I made the right choice. It’s also where I met some of my favorite professors and friends. Not to mention that I began working with Student Media in Henderson in room 304. It’s where it all started for me. 

There are so many moments tied to Henderson, and it feels like that’s being stripped away with the remodel and renaming. Don’t even get me started on Benton being demolished. Again, it’s just a building to most, but to others that’s a big aspect of their time here.

Some of the new changes aren’t necessarily bad and some are even good. With the new presidency, Washburn was able to induct a female president for the first time in the university’s history. This was a positive change that I’m glad I was able to witness as it was overdue. 

But the sad changes won’t be subtle. The rebranding to a new version of the Ichabod has slowly been progressing over the academic year, but it is suddenly being replaced at various areas across campus. I can’t get behind the new Ichabod design no matter how hard I try. It is so different, and it loses a part of Washburn that many cherished, not only in the salute but also the overall look. Students tried to fight against the new Ichabod, but sadly did not prevail. It’s not what we wanted. We wanted to keep the salute, and keep the Ichabod we knew and loved. 

Everything is different and Washburn is becoming a place I don’t recognize. Even graduation will be different than how I always imagined it. 

Because it’s not in Lee Arena, graduation is having to be broken down into more ceremonies than usual and spanning across Friday May 16 and Saturday May 17. 

For about a year, I’ve reminded my family to keep May 17 open on their calendars as that was supposed to be my graduation day. However, now half my family probably won’t be available to watch me graduate May 16 since it’s a Friday in the early afternoon. Some of my siblings have finals of their own, and others work. There’s still time to ask off of work, but not everyone can easily take off, especially for some of my family who work in education. 

For years I’ve imagined the moment I’d walk across the stage with all my family and friends in the audience, and now that dream has been taken away from me despite all the effort I’ve put toward it.

All of my other siblings who have attended Washburn have gotten the chance to graduate in Lee Arena, and I can’t follow in their footsteps. I won’t walk across the same stage. I won’t sit in the same chairs. I won’t be able to have the same experience as all the alumni before me. 

Soon I’ll be a Washburn alum, but it won’t be the place I remember.

Edited by Stuti Khadka and Jeremy Ford