Topeka, Kan. – Every year Washburn University student organizations, faculty and staff host opportunities for students to get involved, explore student services and discover the Washburn community. This is referred to as Weeks of Welcome.
“Students ultimately come to college to obtain the degree or certification in a program that helps them on a career path,” said Dr. Eric Grospitch, vice president of student life for Washburn University. “However, we know that students who get involved on campus are more likely to persist through to graduation and have higher GPAs.
Weeks of Welcome provides fun and exciting programs and events for students to become more familiar with Washburn resources and opportunities on/off campus, while building friendships and community.”
Events begin with Move-In August 17 and continue through Homecoming, October 28. These events are open to all Washburn University students, including those from the Washburn Institute of Technology and Washburn Law School. Below are highlights for the first week of Weeks of Welcome, more events and the most up-to-date information can be found on the university calendar at washburn.edu.
Washburn University’s fall 2023 semester officially begins Aug. 19, with most classes resuming Aug. 21.
Thursday, Aug. 17
8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Across campus – Lincoln Hall (off 19th St.), the Living Learning Center (adjacent to the Memorial Union, accessed via Jewell Ave. from 17th St.), and Washburn Village (off of Jewell Ave. from 21st St.)
Move-In
President Mazachek will be greeting students beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the Living Learning Center (LLC) and then will move to Lincoln Hall. She will be accompanied by Lori Hutchinson, interim public relations director. You can call Hutchinson at 785-224-6212 to confirm President Mazachek’s location at any time from 8:30 to 10 a.m.
12 – 3 p.m., Washburn Rooms A/B, Memorial Union
Fraternity and Sorority Life Luncheon (Open to All Students and their Family/Guardians)
9 – 11 p.m., Memorial Union Lawn
Event on the Lawn & Campus Activities Board (CAB) Movie
Friday, Aug. 18
9:30 – 11 a.m., Mabee Library
First Year Experience (FYE) Open House
11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Start at Mabee Library
Navigate Your Schedule – Campus Classroom Tours
12 – 2:30 p.m., Memorial Union Lawn
Panhellenic Council - Get the Scoop on Sorority Life
3:30 – 4:30 p.m., Leaving from the Residence Halls, to the Student Recreation and Wellness Center (The Rec)
Rec Connect
5 – 7 p.m., Washburn Rooms A/B, Memorial Union
Friday Fun Fest
7:30 p.m., Yager Stadium
Washburn University Marching Band 2023 Preview Show
7:30 – 10 p.m., eSports Lounge, Living Learning Center
eSports Open House
Saturday, Aug. 19
10 – 11:30 a.m., Start at Washburn Rooms A/B, Memorial Union
Navigate Your Schedule – Campus Classroom Tours
11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Washburn Rooms A/B, Memorial Union
Grocery Bingo
1 – 3 p.m., North Memorial Union Lawn
Faith, Food & Fellowship Luncheon
4 – 6 p.m., Lincoln Dining Hall
Grocery Bingo
6 – 7:30 p.m., North Side of the Memorial Union Lawn
Scavenger Hunt
8 – 10 p.m., Union Underground, Memorial Union
WU Bash
Sunday, Aug. 20
11 a.m. – 1 p.m., East Memorial Union Lawn
Calm on the Lawn
Monday, Aug. 21
5 – 8 p.m., Student Recreation and Wellness Center (The Rec)
Rock the Rec
Tuesday, Aug. 22
5-8:30 p.m., East Memorial Union Lawn
Splashin’ with the Greeks
Wednesday, Aug. 23
10 a.m. – 1 p.m., North Memorial Union Lawn
Market Daze
8 – 10 p.m., East Memorial Union Lawn
Paint U
Thursday, Aug. 24
10 a.m. – 1 p.m., Washburn Room B, Memorial Union
On-Campus Student Job Fair
4 – 6 p.m., Lee Arena, Petro Allied Health Center
University Convocation
6 – 8 p.m., East Memorial Union Lawn
Luau
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Founded in 1865, Washburn University is a public institution with more than 6,000 students involved in more than 200 academic programs. Washburn’s programs lead to certification, associate, bachelor, master's degree or doctor of nursing practice and juris doctor degrees. The programs are offered through Washburn’s six primary academic units – College of Arts and Sciences, School of Applied Studies, School of Business, School of Nursing, School of Law and Washburn Institute of Technology (Washburn Tech).
All programs are offered on either the 160-acre residential campus in the heart of Topeka, Kan., at Washburn Tech’s campus on Topeka’s west side or in the east Topeka facility. Washburn University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association and many of the individual programs have additional accreditations.
Washburn is ranked best public regional university in Kansas and 14th best public regional university in the Midwest by U.S. News and World Report 2022-2023.
