-
Erica Price from Chris Cakes prepares and serves pancakes to people waiting in line during a campus event. She interacted with attendees and handed out plates as they moved through the line.
-
Clifford the Big Red Dog waves at attendees while standing in front of the PBS Kids backdrop. The costume character entertained guests and took photos with families during the event.
-
Families and students sit together enjoying breakfast and conversations. Everyone shared the pancakes and connected in a lively atmosphere.
-
Taylor Redington, junior forensic investigation major, and Merit Carter, junior political science major, sit behind a table displaying flyers and collecting donations for Can Emporia. They managed the station and provided information to visitors during the gathering.
-
Kendall Brungardt, sophomore mass media and English major, serves breakfast to attendees standing in a line. People waited for their turn and received food and drinks as part of the event.
-
The members of Washburn Cheer chat and enjoy refreshment during the event. They gathered around Jenna Wilson, the events coordinator, and interacted with her before their performance at the Homecoming parade.
The Washburn University Alumni Association and Foundation organized Pancakes for Breakfast on Oct. 25 at the Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center, welcoming guests from 8 a.m.-10 a.m.
The organizer brought together students, alumni, faculty and friends for a cheerful morning centered around stacks of warm pancakes, laughter and connection. The event captured the Ichabod spirit by creating an inviting atmosphere of fellowship as the Washburn community came together to share good food and celebrate their strong ties.
“The idea of having pancake breakfast as a part of Homecoming for our alumni and friends is to keep up the homecoming spirit and welcome everybody in the Topeka community. We’re super excited to have it,” said Jenna Wilson, the events coordinator. “Chris Cakes normally come every year and do our little pancake flips and we have a good time with it.”
The smell of fresh pancakes lingered through the room as attendees eagerly lined up, plates in hand and ready to enjoy a warm breakfast alongside friendly conversation. Volunteers and staff kept the service flowing smoothly, ensuring everyone felt welcome and energized. Alumni, students and faculty took the opportunity to reconnect, share experiences with each other.
“The University holds our [KTWU’s] license and has since we came on the air 60 years ago. And whenever there’s a larger university event such as Homecoming, the station typically participates in those via what we call a character event like this one this morning, where we will bring for the kids in attendance so they can take pictures [and] meet their favorite television characters,” said Greg Simms, Director of Development and Donor Engagement for KTWU.
As a part of the university’s tradition of engaging the community during major events, children had the chance to meet and take photos with the popular television character, Clifford the Big Red Dog.
“I think it helps give an opportunity to bring different groups together. It’ll help keep it going and keep all the students coming for the different events … and the food’s good,” said Angela Snyder, a participant of the event. “I think having that [Clifford] brings the younger kids in more and they get to see what they can do as they get older and what Washburn’s all about.”
WSGA set up a table for Can Emporia, Washburn’s yearly food drive challenge with Emporia State aimed at gathering donations for the university’s food pantries.
With full hearts, full plates and smiles all around, attendees wrapped up the pancake breakfast ready to join the homecoming parade and cheer for their friends and family.
Edited by Anushma Dahal and Anson Appelhanz
