Washburn University and Washburn University Alumni Association and Foundation announce largest-ever comprehensive fundraising campaign

    Topeka, Kan. – Washburn University announced its boldest fundraising campaign to date, $250 million, at a special event on November 1. Dr. JuliAnn Mazachek, president of Washburn University, and Marshall Meek, president of the Washburn University Alumni Association and Foundation, led the public launch of Forever Washburn, the university’s largest-ever comprehensive campaign which has already surpassed half its goal.

    “Our entire Washburn community is riding an incredible wave of momentum, with record-breaking enrollment growth on all campuses and new opportunities that put a college education within reach for all students,” said Mazachek. “Guided by our strategic framework and campus master plan, we will catapult Washburn to the next level while remaining steadfast in providing personalized education. Washburn is an incredibly special place and we can’t wait to see what forever holds.”

    Forever Washburn is an ambitious campaign to support Washburn’s vision. It includes four pillars that align with Washburn’s strategic plan, each with its own fundraising goal: $80 million for creating opportunities through scholarships; $80 million for enabling success through teaching and program excellence; $25 million for creating connections through real-world learning and service; and $65 million for building community through buildings and optimizing space.

    The quiet phase of the Forever Washburn campaign kicked off in 2019 and donors have already generously given $140 million. In kicking off the public phase of the campaign, university and foundation leadership are confident that Washburn community members will be eager to invest in the vision for and promise of Washburn. The Washburn University Alumni Association and Foundation ranks in the top 50 of all public institutions in the country for endowment per student FTE, demonstrating the strong commitment of Washburn alumni, donors and friends.

    “The donors who have been so important in propelling Washburn forward into this incredible chapter in Washburn’s history have inspired us to think big, to have lofty goals and to achieve new heights in supporting the best possible educational experience for every student,” said Meek. “Our donors and alumni inspire us every day to uphold Washburn’s legacy of providing accessible, high-quality education while striving for excellence in all we do.”

    Sunee Mickle, who serves as chair of the Washburn University Alumni Association and Foundation Board of Trustees, emphasizes the passionate support that makes efforts like this possible. “As a proud alum of the School of Law, I have experienced first-hand how special Washburn is. I can’t imagine a more exciting time to play a part in bringing the promise of Washburn’s future into fruition. The vision we work toward today will make a difference in the lives of generations of Ichabods to come.”

    For more information about the Forever Washburn campaign, visit foreverwashburn.org.

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