As a senior wrapping up my final semester of college, I have found myself looking back on my experience here at Washburn University more than ever before.
Since my first semester in the fall of 2022, I have involved myself in several different organizations, participated in many opportunities offered by WU and have made some incredible connections, friendships and relationships here. There have been highs and there have certainly been lows, but the last four years have given me an invaluable experience.
As I reflect on my time as an Ichabod, I want to share with you what I view as my top 10 favorite aspects of Washburn University that made my time here unique and unforgettable. This list is ordered as what I have deemed most beneficial or rewarding to me as an individual, and I’m sure many of you will agree with me. With that being said, let’s get into the list.
10: The library
When I started school at WU, it was originally called Mabee Library and was located in what is now the School of Applied Studies. Although I didn’t spend as much time in that location as I do in its new space, I still enjoyed the building and all it had to offer. Plus, I loved the name and kept plenty of puns tucked away.
The library is a great place to study and has seen my fair share of cram-sessions for tests and homework assignments. I especially enjoy the group study space on the main floor and the “Bod Pods” on the third floor. I also have enjoyed the events they put on, whether it be free food or resume workshops.
The library also has a ton of resources offered for students, such as tutoring, printing and scholarships. If you really want to up your academic game, you can also take IL170, Library Research Strategies. It’s a one-credit class that increases your information literacy and helps you navigate the library and its online research database. My section was taught by Sarah Holt, one of the many very helpful librarians who are very easy to talk to and make a connection with.
The library is a great place for students to spend their time beyond just academic purposes and is sitting at a well-deserved 10 on this list.
9: Location in Kansas
I come from Phillipsburg, Kansas, a small town in the north-central part of the state that is an hour from the nearest Walmart. Although we are a civilization, the western half of the state is missing what the eastern half is known for: cities.
Washburn’s location in Kansas is centered between many of the hot spots in the state. Manhattan, Lawrence and Kansas City are within an hour drive of Topeka and Wichita is only two hours away. Those short distances make it easy for me and my friends to take off to Kansas City on a Tuesday and watch the Royals play while we indulge in their “dollar dog night.” Or, if we are looking for a sweeter trip, making a drive to the Nifty Nut House in Wichita is a breeze and gives a perfect amount of time on the road to have good conversations and jam sessions.
Washburn’s location in Topeka is also very beneficial. I come from a small town, so it’s nice to have lots of restaurants and stores scattered across the city without feeling overwhelmed by the size of it all. And I know many people talk about the safety of Topeka, claiming it to be a dangerous spot in Kansas, but my Social Problems class with Alex Myers proved that theory to be false. Crime in all cities is down, but especially so in Topeka. I still read reports and watch news stories of crime being committed in the capital city, but no more than Wichita or Kansas City.
Topeka may not be my dream town to raise a family in, but its rich history and location within Kansas makes for a great spot for Washburn University.
8: Free stuff
I have been given so many free things from Washburn, it’s insane. I am constantly being given cups, clothes, pens, notebooks, stickers and every other knickknack that fits into a gift bag or on a table. In fact, after clearing out my closet recently, I found that I have more Washburn t-shirts than non-Washburn t-shirts, 19-14. My cabinet is full of WU cups, my desk is covered in WU pens and pencils, and even my old laptop case was filled with WU stickers.
Washburn is constantly giving out free stuff to students, and those are just the small goodies. I have also had more free meals in these past four years than I care to admit. My sophomore year I practically lived off of Chartwells’ pizza from different events around campus. And although Chartwells may not be the best food in the world, it’s free! How am I gonna pass that up?
I wasn’t able to save a fortune on just food, though. Washburn offers what I refer to as a “student bundle.” This includes free parking, free admission to athletic events, free pass to the Student Recreation and Wellness Center, free admission to student events, free admission to shows and so many more things. The free parking has been especially handy, because those parking passes at other schools can cost a pretty penny.
Washburn is already relatively affordable, and these various free commodities cause the financial stress of college to lessen considerably. Plus, who doesn’t love free stuff?
7: Student organizations
Washburn has over 120 organizations that students can get involved in on campus, and more are added every semester. There are also many different types of clubs as well, with some more academically focused while others are more recreational.
In my time at Washburn, I have dipped my toes in all kinds of student organizations: French Club, Board Game Club, Mass Media Club, Washburn Swing Dance Club, just to name a few. Above all else, student organizations are a great opportunity for students to get involved in a community and make some strong connections, both in your major as well as your own personal interests.
Being involved in Student Media gave me a great opportunity to build my skills in the media field, which is directly tied to my major in mass media. I got to improve my writing, make connections with professors and even got the opportunity to make my own newspaper for Homecoming. It was a great booster for my career readiness and it all came from a student organization.
The biggest contributor to my college social life was Called to Greatness. I got involved in the fall of my junior year and began to find a community that I felt I really belonged to. After a few months, I made a strong friend group and built a great support system around me. Even now, I have extremely strong relationships with my friends and know that regardless of where I go or what happens after college, I will still have a great bunch to share great memories with. This student organization is the reason leaving college now brings tears with a mix of joy and sadness. I’m going to miss my people.
6: The physical campus
When I first toured Washburn with my dad, I remember thinking how small the campus was.
The first college I toured was Wichita State University. My twin and I went together and it was honestly a really cool school. I had never really been on a college campus before, only the small tech schools that I went to with my high school. I liked how open WSU was, and how there was plenty of walking space between buildings. One thing I didn’t love was how big the campus was. I felt overwhelmed walking all over the place and felt like I kept getting turned around too easily.
The next school I toured was Washburn, and this time it was just my dad and I. The first thing I noticed was how spaced out the campus felt while still being really small and tight-knit.
The tour took an hour, but we covered so much of campus and I felt like I already knew where I was. I also loved how the campus looked. The buildings looked clean and sharp while still having a stone, “academic” feel that many colleges have.
Campus is gorgeous, but its true beauty lies in the community it fosters. It is impossible for me to walk across campus without seeing someone that I know, and I always say hi. My friends give me a hard time, often asking how “I know everyone that goes to Washburn.” And while it’s true that I’m a yapper and like to strike up conversation with folks I know, the reality is the size of Washburn’s campus helps build those connections.
5: Constant improvement
I work as a student ambassador, and last week I gave a tour to a high school freshman and his parents. At the end of the tour, I began walking the family from Lincoln Hall to the Brenneman School of Business, and the dad made a comment that the campus looked completely different since the last time he was there eight years ago. He was blown away and had lots of great things to say about Washburn that he wouldn’t have said on his last visit.
Washburn is constantly changing and improving. Since my first semester at Washburn, Benton Hall has been knocked down, Henderson is being changed to Advisors Excel Hall, the old law school building received a makeover as the Plass Learning Resources Center, and the School of Law received a new home at Robert J. Dole Hall. These are just a few changes that Washburn has seen to its physical appearance, but the improvement goes beyond that.
In the fall of 2023, Washburn instituted the Shawnee County Promise Scholarship, giving students in Shawnee County access to more affordable education. In just that next fall, Washburn saw its biggest freshman class in history. Additionally, both the Brenneman School of Business and the Harmony J. Hines School of Nursing received massive donations in the spring of 2024 to help improve the education and facilities of both colleges.
These are just a few of the many improvements Washburn has made, and there are more on the way. The best part of it all is that each improvement impacts many schools, departments and students across campus. I’ve been very grateful for the improvements at Washburn and am looking forward to seeing what the university will polish next.
4: Carole Chapel
Of all the buildings on campus, Carole Chapel is by far my favorite. Although it isn’t the building I spend the most time in, it is the building that I have spent the highest quality of time in.
First, the building is absolutely gorgeous. The stained glass panes remind me of my childhood church, and the greenery on the outside is welcoming and calming. I love the high-peaked roof and the lightly colored wood on the walls. The environment is also extremely peaceful. I am usually the only one in Carole Chapel, so it is dead quiet except for the occasional tree branch running on the roof or the sounds of people walking closely by. This tranquil setting makes for a great place to read, study or even meditate.
I use the chapel mostly to read my Bible and pray in the afternoons. It is a great space to rest my heart and focus on what I’m reading. The quiet helps me feel more at peace and eliminates all distractions. Because of this, the space is home to some very fond memories.
It was in Carole Chapel that I decided to run to Jesus instead of the world after experiencing heartbreak. It was in this building that I had the first conversation with my grandma in over a year. I was sitting in the front row of the green chairs when I asked God to let it be His will and His timing in my life, not my own, and he answered that prayer the very same day.
I’m not saying that God dwells more in Carole Chapel than in any other building on campus. However, it is a great place to still yourself before the Lord and rest in His presence. And it’s for more than just religious time. It’s also a good place to knock out some homework or do some quiet reading.
If you haven’t spent some time in Carole Chapel, I would highly encourage you to check it out sometime. You could find your new favorite nook on campus.
3: The Ichabod and his top-hat tip
The Ichabod was listed as one of the best mascots in NCAA Division II. And whether you agree with me or not that it is one of the best mascots in the nation, you can’t argue that it isn’t unique.
While other schools may have some random old geezer as their logo, we are the only college to have Ichabod Washburn. He is one of one. When I first learned about Washburn University in high school, I didn’t even bother asking about their mascot because I didn’t really care what it was. I didn’t figure out it was the Ichabod until I came on my tour. My dad and I were making fun of it the rest of my senior year.
He insisted that it was a rip-off of the Monopoly Man, and I couldn’t help but agree with him. But when I became a student, I grew incredibly fond of the mascot and what it stood for. The glasses, the books under his arm, the fast walking pace — it all had significance. And the one thing I really fell in love with was the top-hat tip.
Washburn’s unofficial spirit sign, the top-hat tip accompanied with the phrase “Sko Bods,” is very quirky and makes no sense to people who aren’t plugged into Washburn’s community. But that’s why it is so incredible. It’s something unique to only Washburn students. No other school recognizes it, no other school uses it. It reminds me a lot of Emporia State University’s “Stingers Up” or the University of Nebraska-Kearny’s “Lopes Up.” These spirit signs are fun and require minimal effort to make a big impact on community and school spirit. However, these signs aren’t unique. ESU puts their pinky up in the same way that Sacramento State University does. Similarly, UNK shares their hand-puppet antelope with Grand Canyon University. They are cool, but they aren’t unique. What other college replicates Washburn’s spirit sign?
It is a simple tradition that shows pride in one’s university. Although both the sign and the phrase may never be officially endorsed by Washburn University, it will always serve as a unique symbol of my time at Washburn University and will remain unchanging. However, I can’t say the same for the university’s logo.
As some of you may remember, the Ichabod received a makeover in the fall of 2024. This decision wasn’t received with love from all parties, especially the student body. While many liked the new look, others wanted their old logo back. A common phrase shared between my friends and coworkers was #notmyIchabod, a funny but fair saying that portrayed the displeasure with the modernized logo. And although I prefer the old logo to the new one, mostly because of the friendlier face and his pointed finger, I don’t dislike the new one. The design is sharper and gives off more of an athletic vibe than an academic one.
Regardless of what the logo looks like, I will always be a fan of my Ichabod. He is a unique mascot and gives members of Washburn’s community something to bond over.
2: Professors
The silver medal of this list goes to the professors of Washburn University. In high school, some folks would tell me that my professors weren’t going to be my friends and that they would be strict and harsh and make college difficult. I am so glad they were wrong.
I have had quite a few professors at Washburn University, and I never had a professor I didn’t like. Some I got to know more than others, but each one was devoted to helping me as a student. They were all willing to answer my questions and guide me along in their course work. Other professors took it a step further and helped me with clubs and organizations. And still others walked alongside me to make me a better person.
I got to know some professors on a great interpersonal level. They poured into my life and served as a mentor for me, both in and out of the class. They made me feel known and heard, a luxury that many other colleges in Kansas don’t offer. I was extremely successful in college, and my professors were a huge part of that.
These professors listed below made a huge impact on me, and I am very grateful for the work they have done in my life:
- Kristen Grimmer, mass media professor
- Adebanke Adebayo, communications professor
- Kelly Erby, history professor
- Courtney Sullivan, French professor
- Regina Cassell, mass media professor
- Helene Perriguey-Keene, Spanish professor
- Carson Kay, communications professor
- Matthew Nyquist, mass media professor
- Sally Matthews, communications professor
Professors can make or break a student’s college experience, and each of these professors did their best to make my time at Washburn the best it could have been.
1: Community
Without a shred of doubt in my mind, the community at Washburn University is my favorite aspect hands down.
I have spoken a lot already about different aspects of Washburn’s community, but it really is the heartbeat that makes WU such an incredible college. I feel like it is its own small town within the city of Topeka. I can walk from building to building and see plenty of folks that I know, whether they are students,staff or faculty. I have a desire to support other’s interests and feel that mine are equally supported. I feel comfortable and safe on campus and don’t worry about being just a number or feeling ignored. Washburn has fostered a community that is devoted to building relationships and helping each other grow, and I see it lived out every day.
I came to Washburn because it was far enough away from home and it was cheap. I stayed at Washburn because I felt like I belonged. I’m so glad to have spent the last four years at Washburn University, and I am going to miss the community that I know will continue to grow after I graduate.
Edited by Anson Appelhanz and Anushma Dahal
