Washburn University President JuliAnn Mazachek is making herself at home in her new presidential house. A project made possible by the generous support of donor families Greg and Rhonda Brennaman and Mark and Lisa Heights.
Reflecting on the significance of the new space, Mazacheck expressed her excitement for what this house means not only for Washburn but for future presidents and their families.
“I am just so excited about what this house will mean for the campus, and for…all the presidents that will serve here in the future,” Mazachek said. “I love the new house that’s been built. It was really built to be Washburn’s home…I feel like I’m home.”
From the colors to the doors, this house was designed with a purpose. The first floor is reserved for entertainment purposes, which includes a kitchen tailored for the catering staff, allowing them to work while hosting events. The second floor serves as the private residence area for the president and her family.
The design prioritizes inclusivity, ensuring that all ages and abilities feel welcomed and at home. This house serves as more than just a living space, it’s envisioned to be a family home. Having lived in a president’s house in Texas for about a year, Mazachek and her family had clear ideas about what their new home would encompass.
A key focus in the design process was accessibility.
“We have people of lots of ages, lots of levels of physical ability that visit the president’s home, so we’ve created it in a way that everyone can make this a destination,” Mazachek said. “I thought they did a great job making the vision come to life. And I think the other thing they did so well, is choosing the colors, and just making it feel like it’s Washburn but not over the top Washburn.”
One of Mazachek’s favorite areas is the dining room, which she described as gracious, elegant and inviting. It is a space for casual conversations to be shared over food and drinks.
“We’ve had a couple of dinners around the dining table, and it’s just like being at a family table.
People sit around, we eat our food and then we stay around after and we have a conversation. I just love the color and the ambiance and it looks out over the campus,” Mazachek said.
Marshall Meek, president of the Washburn University Alumni Association and Foundation, highlighted the strong interest alumni had in the project, crediting the Brennaman and Heights families for stepping up and making it possible in the beginning.
“[Donors] see the value of having the president right here next to campus, and having a great space for entertaining donors, students and faculty. Lots of people have access to it,” Meek said. “They wanted this to be something that was a tremendous asset for the university in terms of hosting [those]on campus in the space to be able to interact with the president, host gatherings there, and build the Washburn community.”
During the planning stages of the house, it was originally referred to as “The McVicar House” after former Washburn President Peter McVicar. However, “The Ross House” was decided on by both donor families who chose the name to honor the Ross family and their contributions to Washburn. The donors felt strongly about this choice, as it acknowledged the Ross family’s involvement with the Alumni Association, the Mulvane Art Museum, enrollment management and many other areas at Washburn.
“The Ross family has supported Washburn in highly visible ways as well as behind the scenes. Their cumulative service has changed our University for the better for decades,” Meek said.
The Ross House is more than just a residence for the university president. It is a thoughtfully designed space to bring Mazachek closer to campus and students.
George Burdick, senior president of Washburn Student Government Association, toured the house and feels strongly about its potential to build connections between the president and the Washburn community.
“I think it will bring the office of the president closer. I think that’s really, really healthy, not only for the campus but also for the president to be a lot closer to campus and a lot more in touch with what’s going on,” Burdick said. “Having our senators there, it really helped build a relationship, because they got to know the president, she got to know them.”
With the new house on campus, Mazachek is eager to host students in upcoming events. She hinted at a series of events planned for Wahsburn and the community.
“I’m thrilled to be so close to campus, and be able to welcome students on campus, and look forward to hosting many events in the future,” Mazachek said.
The first student event at the Ross House occurred in October.
“I think [an experience in the house is] valuable. I think that any student organization who receives an invite should definitely take it,” Burdick said.
For those interested in seeing the president’s house, Mazachek encourages students to reach out to her office and set up a tour. Stay tuned to our Instagram for a virtual tour of the house.
Edited by Morgan Albrecht and Jeremy Ford
