Topeka, Kan. – Washburn will recognize the accomplishments of more than 1,300 students in a series of Commencement Ceremonies May 14 - 17. The university will begin with four ceremonies for the Washburn Institute of Technology (Washburn Tech) Wednesday and Thursday evenings, and seven ceremonies Friday and Saturday for the remaining Washburn divisions: the School of Applied Studies, the College of Arts & Sciences, the Gregory D. and Ronda K. Brenneman School of Business, the Harmony J. Hines School of Nursing and the School of Law. Due to the renovations in Lee Arena, all ceremonies will occur in White Concert Hall this year. See complete details below.
“This is truly my favorite time of the year when we gather to celebrate our students,” said Dr. JuliAnn Mazachek, president, Washburn. “It is such a feeling of pride as we watch each student cross the stage, knowing they worked diligently and have achieved so much. Each student started with a plan and a dream and now they cross the stage as new alumni, ready for their chosen career path, and forever part of the Washburn community.”
Washburn Offers Many Pathways
Washburn University offers students opportunities to pursue the career path that inspires them, that harnesses their unique talents – from technical courses to more traditional liberal arts degrees, to business degrees to nursing. Washburn knows that by 2031 72% of U.S. jobs will require a post-secondary degree and/or training (Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce) and Washburn is here to help Northeast Kanas, and beyond, be successful. Students like Ashley Piper and Zoey Haugsness took advantage of Washburn’s academic offerings, affordability, as well as the university’s location in the capital city of Kansas.
Ashley Piper, Practical Nursing, Washburn Tech
When Ashley Piper walked across the graduation stage in 2023 at Wabaunsee High School, she already had career aspirations, aspirations inspired by her mother.
“I chose [practical nursing] because I want to be able to work as an LPN while getting my RN and eventually my BSN. My mom is also a nurse so that's where I got some inspiration,” said Piper.
Piper continued, “I appreciate my [Washburn Tech] nursing school instructors. They've really pushed and motivated me to study the hardest and be the best that I can be.
“One of the things that stuck with me through this school year was the first day of class. Ashley Tyler [Washburn Tech instructor] gave this really motivational speech - she said that no matter how hard things get in nursing school remember what your why is, remember to keep pushing. As a mother to a 2 almost 3-year-old, I kept pushing through and worked my very hardest.”
Piper’s hard work has paid off and she will graduate with her practical nursing certificate on May 14, ready to pursue her RN degree. She will continue working at Vintage Park in Wamego as an LPN and begin working at Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan on the MedSurge floor.
Zoey Haugsness, Data Analytics and Business Management, Brenneman School of Business
Zoey Haugsness has always been interested in how data drives decision-making in companies, and knows with the field constantly evolving, there's always something new to learn. This interest drew her to business school and her family’s ties to Washburn drew her to this campus.
Haugsness, a Washburn Rural High School alumna, shared, “I chose Washburn because it was close to home, offered a variety of majors within the business school and provided great scholarship opportunities.
“My family was over the moon [when I chose Washburn]! Both of my parents went to Washburn, it's actually where they met, and one of my grandpas is an alum while the other used to teach there. Washburn truly runs in our family. I’ll never forget how excited my mom was on Admitted Senior Day, hoping it would impact my life the way it impacted hers.”
During her time at Washburn, Haugsness joined the Alpha Phi sorority, serving as Vice President of New Member Education and Member Experience in Alpha Phi, and was also Secretary of Alpha Lambda Delta. She was a member of the Honors Program, Beta Gamma Sigma, the Dean’s Student Advisory Council and was involved in YoungLife, intramurals at The Rec and the Brenneman Series. She also worked with the Washburn Alumni Association on the Forever Washburn campaign and had the opportunity to go on an international business trip to Brazil.
Haugsness also completed three internships during her time at Washburn: one at the Topeka Police Credit Union as a business management intern, another at Stormont Vail Health as an administrative intern and, most recently, at Advisors Excel as a strategy data intern.
Haugsness will graduate with a double major in Data Analytics and Business Management May 16. After graduation, she will be joining the Strategy team at Advisors Excel full-time.
Commencement Ceremonies
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Washburn Tech Commencement Ceremonies
5:30 p.m.
Carpentry; Electrical; Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC); Plumbing Technology; Engineering Drafting and Design; Graphics Technology; Information Systems Technology
7:30 p.m.
Cosmetology; Culinary Arts; Early Childhood Education; Automotive Collision & Refinishing Technology; Automotive Technology; Diesel Technology; Industrial Machines/ Maintenance Technology
Thursday, May 15, 2025
Washburn Tech Commencement Ceremonies
5:30 p.m.Certified Production Technician; Industrial Production Technician; Kansas High School Diploma; Practical Nursing; Machine/Manufacturing Technology; Welding
7:30 p.m.
Advanced Emergency Medical Technician; Emergency Medical Technician; Foundations of Emergency Medical Services (EMR); Foundations of Health Care – Certified Nurse Aide; Foundations of Nursing - Medication Aide; Foundations of Phlebotomy; HealthCare Pathway; Phlebotomy; Sterile Processing; Surgical Technology
Friday, May 16, 2025
Washburn University Commencement Ceremonies
10 a.m., School of Applied Studies- Allied Health
- Family & Human Services
12:30 p.m., School of Applied Studies
- Criminal Justice & Legal Studies
- Education
- Social Work
- Washburn Tech articulation students
3 p.m., Harmony Hines School of Nursing
5:30 p.m., Brenneman School of Business
Saturday, May 17, 2025
Washburn University Commencement Ceremonies
10 a.m., College of Arts & Sciences- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computer Information Science
- History
- Mathematics & Statistics
- Physics & Astronomy
- Political Science & Public Administration
- Psychology, including Master of Arts in Psychology
- Sociology & Anthropology
12:30 p.m., College of Arts & Sciences
- Associate of Liberal Studies degree
- Bachelor of General Studies degree
- Bachelor of Integrated Studies
- Art
- Communication Studies
- English
- Kinesiology
- Mass Media
- Master of Arts in Communication and Leadership
- Modern Languages
- Music & Theatre
- Philosophy & Religious Studies
3:30 p.m., School of Law
Livestreaming and Parking
To view the live streams of the Washburn University Commencements, please go to the Washburn Video Central YouTube page the day of the ceremony. Once there, the videos will be toward the top of the page in a section titled Upcoming live streams. Once the streams are live viewers will find the video at the top of the page.
Parking & Traffic Information for Washburn Tech Graduates
Accessible parking for graduates, families and friends will be available in Parking Lot 10, just south of Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center (BTAC). General parking will be available in that lot, as well.
The entrance to campus at 17th and Jewell Ave. will be closed, prior to commencement, and reopen each evening once ceremonies are complete.
Parking & Traffic Information for Washburn University Graduates
Graduates, families and friends may utilize Parking Lots 10 and 11 beginning at 8 a.m. on Friday, May 16. At that time, the entrance to campus at 17th and Jewell Ave. will be closed.
Attendees with accessibility needs should be dropped off on the north side of Morgan Hall, via 17th and Boswell. Utilize the sidewalk along 17th Street or enter the rear door of White Concert Hall. Look for signage that will assist in navigation.
Parking & Traffic Information for Washburn Law Graduates
Graduates, families and friends may utilize Parking Lots 3 and 12 in preparation for the procession of graduates, administrators and faculty from Dole Hall to White Concert Hall. If parking beside the commencement venue, please utilize Parking Lots 10 and 11. The entrance to campus at 17th and Jewell Ave. will be closed.
Attendees with accessibility needs should be dropped off on the north side of Morgan Hall, via 17th and Boswell. Utilize the sidewalk along 17th Street or enter the rear door of White Concert Hall. Look for signage that will assist in navigation.
For further information, contact:
Joy Bailes
Director of Internal Communications and Brand Management
Telephone: (785) 670-2153
Cell: (785) 230-1648
Email: joy.bailes@washburn.edu
