Community Events and University Programs
Crane Observatory and Planetarium http://www.washburn.edu/cas/physics/crane/index.html
Crane Observatory and Planetarium hosts open houses each year, averaging about 20 sessions with approximately 1,000 people attending. When there are special events such as the opportunity to view Mars during the summer of 2003, as many as 3,000 were in attendance. The astronomy department also offers outreach educational programs to children in local elementary and secondary schools. During the 2005-2006 school year approximately 119 groups (4,345 people) participated in the astronomy activity outreach.
# of # of Year Sessions People 1999 (Fall semester only) 51 2000 2000 106 4200 2001 94 3290 2002 119 5205 2003 51 4735 2004 ?? 2640 2005 70 3040 2006 119 4345
Disabilities Community Initiatives
Kansas Youth Empowerment Academy (KYEA), in conjunction with Washburn, sponsors a youth leadership program and campus conference of 30-35 youth with disabilities who are high school juniors and seniors from across the state.
Student leaders with disabilities from Washburn also participate in the Disability Heritage program, where they interact with public schools in the community to talk about the history and heritage of disability programs and organizations. http://www.kyea.org
Washburn University sponsors an annual disability awareness week in October.
The Washburn University Career Services Office provides helpful information and job search tools to students and alumni with disabilities.
The US Department of Labor sponsors a workforce recruitment program each year at Washburn. This program matches Washburn University students with disabilities with various federal agencies for placement in either internships of full time jobs.
The Human Services Department offers two courses, in partnership with the Kansas Neurological Institute, that are the initial training required for employment working with people with developmental disabilities. The Department also provides scholarship funds to employees of KNI to continue their education.
Joint Center on Violence and Victim Studies http://www.washburn.edu/ce/jcvvs/
Housed within the Division of Continuing Education is the Joint Center on Violence and Victim Studies (JCVVS). Established in 2001, it is an interdisciplinary partnership between California State University at Fresno, University of New Haven and Washburn University. The JCVVS addresses issues of violence and victimization through service to professionals, higher education, and research and special projects thereby enhancing professional practice, organizational policies and societal responses.
KTWU http://ktwu.washburn.edu/
KTWU is a non-commercial, public television station authorized by the Federal Communications Commission, Washington, D.C. and licensed to Washburn University of Topeka. KTWU commenced telecasting on October 21, 1965 as the first public television station in Kansas. The programs that KTWU carries are broadcast on channel 11, Topeka, Kansas and on K30AL, channel 30, Iola, Kansas. KTWU's broadcast facilities are owned and operated by Washburn University of Topeka. KTWU broadcasts 24 hours per day. The programming is for both children and adults, with subjects related to education, cultural enrichment, public affairs and entertainment. According to the Nielsen February Sweeps 2008, the Topeka/Manhattan/Emporia viewership was estimated at 171,000. KTWU also offers televised courses for college credit as part of the program service in conjunction with Washburn University.
Lecture Series
Many public forums and events are hosted by the university. These include the King Lecture in Religious Studies, the Creative Writing Series, the Klemmerer Lecture series, the Visiting Writers series, the annual Diversity Scholar series, teaching forums on current events (political debates, current literary controversies, current historical events, etc.), and the Kansas Silent Film Festival.
Lifespan Community Initiatives
Junior Achievement sponsorship by members of the School of Business faculty (Grade School)
Contests Math Day (High School) History Day (Middle/High School) Music Festivals (High School) SUM Day (Fourth through Eighth Grade)
NYSP (NCAA) – national youth sports program (until funding eliminated) – a summer camp for low income children (K-8th Grade)
Sports Camps - Men’s and women’s basketball, boys and girls tennis, volleyball, soccer, and football with scholarships for low income students (Ages 7-18)
RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Academy) - The Leadership Institute, in conjunction with Rotary International, hosts RYLA to develop leadership skills in identified student leaders (High School)
Bonner Leader Americorps Program - has partnerships with a variety of youth service programs, including The Villages, Central Park Recreation Center, Oakland Recreation Center, and the Boys and Girls Club providing tutoring and mentoring to children (Ages 5-17). In addition, partnerships exist with organizations such as Let’s Help Adult Education Department where volunteers tutor individuals who want to obtain their GED; and the Foster Grandparents program where volunteers assist in developing and implementing quality programming for the Foster Grandparents.
Pre-Legal and Camp BLUE summer camps are offered to students who want to develop their legal/business skills (High School)
KTWU hosts an Early Education Reading Program on Washburn’s public broadcasting system (Pre-K to 2nd Grade)
Washburn University offers the use of the campus for the Melody Brown Fun Factory (Fine Arts Camp for Ages 5 to 8), Sunflower State Games (Kansas Olympics for All Ages) and the student Relay for Life (Grade School to College Age)
Mabee Library – Community Resource
(http://www.washburn.edu/mabee).
Mabee Library provides borrowing privileges for students, faculty, and staff as well as for the general public. In addition, many resources, including the online catalog, are accessible through the library’s homepage . http://www.washburn.edu/mabee/researchTools/koch.html
Mabee Library also houses Special Collections which include the University Archives, the Rare Books Collection, and the William I. Koch Art History Collection. http://www.washburn.edu/mabee/researchTools/archives/archives.txt
Multicultural Community Initiatives
Dia de Washburn – Washburn hosts approximately 80 Hispanic high school and community college students, along with Hispanic community leaders from across the state, for an information day.
Cinco de Mayo celebration – Hispanic students from across the state, who may be attending any college, gather at Washburn in a recognition ceremony and are honored by the Governor.
Mana de Topeka – Mana de Topeka is the local chapter of Mana, a national Latina organization that empowers the Hispanic community through leadership development, community service and advocacy. Washburn University assists with funding high profile speakers at annual conferences.
Concerned Citizens of Topeka funded a community study of the Extent of Discrimination in Topeka. This study was conducted by two Washburn faculty and a team of four students. This study was used to influence city legislation. http://www.cjonline.com/stories/071702/com_council.shtml
Bonner Leader scholarship students founded La Panteria, a food pantry providing indigenous foods to Hispanic members of the community in partnership with Jerusalem Assemblia de Dios Church.
The Center for Diversity Studies http://www.washburn.edu/cas/diverse/index.html partners annually with the Brown Foundation for Educational Equity, Excellence, and Research to host a public figure of national or international prominence to deliver a public address and to attend a variety of classes discussing various aspects of diversity.
Mulvane Art Museum http://www.washburn.edu/reference/mulvane/
With almost 3000 objects in its permanent collection, a schedule of changing exhibitions and numerous public programs, Mulvane Art Museum has something for everyone. Founded in 1922, Mulvane Art Museum is Kansas’ oldest art museum. The museum is located on the Washburn University campus in Topeka. Admission is free.
Mulvane Art Outreach Program (ART RESOURCES FOR TOPEKA (A.R.T.) EDUCATON PROGRAM) http://www.washburn.edu/mulvane/outreach.html
The Mulvane cooperates with the Kansas Arts Commission, the city of Topeka, local school districts, local agencies and businesses to provide city-wide Art Resources for Topeka (A.R.T.) Education Program. Components include Arts Beginning in Childhood, Art After School, Art In School, Mulvane tours program, Mulvane classes, and a variety of other community outreach programs. In each of the A.R.T. education programs, qualified instructors provide a sequential program of study, and students participate in interactive, hands-on experiences. The students explore the arts and their own creativity through drawing, painting, printmaking, and ceramics in both individual and group projects. Students are exposed to 2 and 3-dimensional production, a variety of techniques and styles, and contemporary and historical artists from many backgrounds. Selected scholarships, based on financial need, are available for all tuition-supported classes.
Sept 2006-April 2008 Mulvane Art Outreach Nbr Nbr Program Sites Served Level Art After School (06-07) 20 560 Elementary Art After School ( 07-08) 20 560 Elementary Art Beginning in Childhood (06-07) 55 860 Pre-School Art Beginning in Childhood (07-08) 55 860 Pre-School Art in School (06-07) 9 225 Elementary Art in School (07-08) 3 75 Elementary Summer Razzle Dazzle (06) 1 250 All Ages Summer Razzle Dazzle (07) 1 275 All Ages Boy Scouts of America (06) 1 60 Elementary to High School Boy Scouts of America (07) 1 60 Elementary to High School Boy Scouts of America (08) 1 38 Elementary to High School Girl Scouts of America (06) 1 101 Elementary Girl Scouts of America (07) 1 79 Elementary Girl Scouts of America (08) 1 112 Elementary St. Francis Cancer Care (07) 1 25 Adult St. Francis Cancer Care (08) 1 25 Adult Art Fair Tent (06) 1 500 All Ages Art Fair Tent (07) 1 600 All Ages Art ala Carte (07) TSCPL 1 275 All Ages Diversity Day (07) Celebration of 1 500 All Ages Cultures Day Mulvane Book Club 3 25 Adult Docent-Led Tours (06) 1 640 All Ages Docent-Led Tours (07) 1 1280 All Ages Docent-Led Tours (2008-to April 22) 1 709 All Ages ArtLab (06) 1 1885 All Ages ArtLab (07) 1 5810 All Ages ArtLab (2008-to April 22) 1 1917 All Ages Library Checkout (06) est 1 65 All Ages Library Checkout (07) est 1 65 All Ages Library Checkout (08) est 1 85 All Ages
Performing Arts for Children Series http://www.washburn.edu/cas/theatre/productions.html
The Washburn University Theatre department typically offers four or five different theatrical productions during a season. They also offer theatrical programs for children in the Performing Arts for Children series.
QUEST Scholars Bowl http://www.washburn.edu/quest/whatis.html
Washburn University in conjunction with KTWU sponsors QUEST, the top high school academic competition in Kansas Formerly known as HighQ, QUEST continues the tradition of excellence through quality competition. The annual contests begin with the Super Saturday qualifying competition which takes place the first Saturday of December on the Washburn campus. No entry fee is required to compete. Teams from approximately 100 Kansas high schools are administered identical examinations and are tested on their knowledge of subjects such as history, music, government, art, literature and physical science. Scores are tabulated and awards are presented to the top teams in 1A through 6A classifications. The 16 teams earning the highest scores are recognized and receive the opportunity to complete in the televised, single-elimination tournament.
65 and Over Tuition-Free Audit Program
Kansas residents 65 years of age and over may audit credit courses at Washburn University without paying University tuition, University fees, or activities fee charges. Being able to audit a course is subject to availability of class space and to the enrollment of a specified minimum number of fee paying students. The costs of materials and/or textbooks are the responsibility of the auditor.
Small Business Development Center http://www.washburn.edu/reference/sbdc/
The Washburn University Small Business Development Center was created in 1982 with the purpose of providing services to regional small businesses and has been closely affiliated with the School of Business throughout its history. The WUSBDC has two offices—one in Topeka and one in Manhattan.
Washburn’s Small Business Development Centers provide consultation to community members who are attempting to create start-up small business ventures. The number of clients who have utilized these consulting services has steadily increased from approximately 230 clients in 2002 to over 440 in 2006. In addition, the Centers offer workshops focused on topics to assist the individual to be successful in starting a business. Some topics include: Planning Your Small Business Start-Up Writing the Business Plan Keeping the Books Marketing for Profit QuickBooks Pro State Tax Workshops Internet Marketing for Your Small Business Winning Government Contracts
In 2006 approximately 1,000 people participated in the 85 seminars conducted by the SBDC.
SBDC Activities
Seminar Year Clients Client Hrs Seminars Attendees 2002 233 1500 36 637 2003 307 1735 38 595 2004 384 2580 46 688 2005 454 2900 58 847 2006 442 3569 85 1079 2007 402 3198 88 972
Sunflower Music Festival http://www.sunflowermusicfestival.org/
The Sunflower Music Festival presents an annual series of orchestra concerts, chamber music evenings, educational projects and other artistic events of the highest level. These events occur throughout a two week period each June in White Concert Hall on the Washburn University campus. Organized in Spring 1987, the concerts are sponsored by leading area businesses and generous private donors. The concerts are offered to the public free of charge. Approximately 10,000 people attend these free concerts each year. Participating musicians come from many of the nation’s most-recognized musical organizations. The Blanche Bryden Student Institute features talented young musicians ages 16-26 from across the country.
Theatrical Partnerships
In celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the Brown v Board of Education supreme court decision, Washburn University commissioned the writing of a play commemorating the event. The play, ―Now Let Me Fly‖ by Marcia Cebulska, was performed by professional actors free of charge to the public in the spring of 2004. The cost of the production was underwritten by area businesses.
In the spring of 2006, Washburn partnered with the William Inge Theatre Company, Independence, KS, to bring ―Touched,‖ a play describing the last few days of Inge’s life, to Topeka.
Wake Up with Washburn http://www.washburn.edu/alumni/WakeUp/WakeUp.htm
Since 1993, the Washburn Alumni Association, in conjunction with the Washburn School of Business, has sponsored a breakfast lecture series called, Wake Up With Washburn. It was inspired by the impressive accomplishments of Washburn alumni and a desire to provide a forum for their interaction with fellow members of the Washburn family and the Topeka community.
The series includes four programs during the academic year and assembles an impressive lineup of outstanding Washburn alumni from across the country who enlighten the audience on issues of national and international importance.
Wake Up With Washburn
Date S peaker Participants Subject 07-08 Series 8/3/2007 Gwen Ritter 101 The Role Hedge Funds Play in the Financial Market System 10/18/2007 Eric Brend 115 Choosing Technology: Will the Real Extremists Please Stand Up? 2/28/2008 Tammy Fruits 102 Off the Field 4/17/2008 Ann Hoelting 90 Banking on Teamwork
06 -07 Series 8/31/2006 Kevin Moncrief 118 Computer Security: Current Issues 10/26/2006 Gregory Waller 107 The Management of a High Profile Case in the American Judicial System 2/22/2007 Larry 109 Leadership with a Humble Heart and an Stambaugh Open Mind 4/19/2007 Bruce Wiley 100 Outstanding in His Field: Forensic Odontology in Rural America
05 -06 Series 8/5/2005 Bradley Dixon 82 Life is a Gas: A Perspecitve of the Natural Gas Industry 10/6/2005 Jade Gurss 93 From Washburn to the New York Times Best Seller List 2/9/2006 Denise Walsh 92 A Taxing Struggle to the Top 4/20/2006 Mindee Reece 84 Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response in Kansas
04 -05 Series 8/26/2004 Niki McDowell 98 Finding A Date in Today's World 10/28/2004 Bob Davis 129 Sports Broadcasting 2/24/2005 David Strohm 102 Entrepreneur 4/21/2005 Peggy Johnson 100 Breast Cancer Awareness Advocate
03 -04 Series 10/23/2003 Mayo Schmidt 140 Making the Decision to Lead 12/11/2003 Pamela Hollie 122 Journalist, Environmentalist, Kiplinger Visiting Professor 2/5/2004 Bob Hoffmann 107 3D Technology, Making Fantasy a Reality 4/22/2004 John B Wood 109 New York City Real Estate Attorney
Washburn Walkers
This Washburn Walkers program was established in 1979 to bring senior citizens to the Washburn University campus in an effort to promote senior health and offer seniors opportunities to engage in both academic and service activities. Members of the Washburn Walkers have provided a variety of services over the years strengthening both the academic and service functions of the university.
In the fall of 1984, the Washburn Walkers established the Washburn Walkers’ Scholarship to provide financial assistance to a meritorious student. Any student declared in Human Services major with an emphasis in gerontology is eligible to apply.