Washburn University is a four-year college in Topeka, Kansas, which also operates a law school.
Washburn University was established in February 1865 as Lincoln College by a charter issued by the State of Kansas and the General Association of Congregational Ministers and Churches of Kansas. The school was renamed Washburn College in 1868 after receiving a $25,000 donation by Ichabod Washburn, a church deacon and resident of Worcester, Mass.
The school's mascot, the "Washburn Ichabod", is named after the university's benefactor and was drawn by noted graphic artist Bradbury Thompson when he was an undergraduate. Only the men's athletic teams use the Ichabods nickname; the school's women's teams are known as Lady Blues.
Washburn is the last municipally chartered university in the country. Primary funding for the university is from a county-wide sales tax.
Notable graduates
- Bradbury Thompson - graphic artist
- Bob Dole - politician, senator
- Dennis Moore - US House of Representatives
- Bill Kurtis - television journalist and producer |
