Homecoming is a celebration of Washburn and all that it means to students and alumni. We look forward to fun events to showcase our Ichabod spirit!
October 23 - 28, 2023
The Homecoming theme this year is Boots, Bling & Bods. We will celebrate with fun events all week, including Spirit Week with a different theme to explore each day. It all culminates with the Homecoming Tailgate before we cheer on our Ichabods in the Homecoming football game! And, this year Homecoming features inauguration festivities celebrating our new president, Dr. JuliAnn Mazachek, who became the first woman to lead this historic institution Feb. 1, 2023.
Homecoming Events
An Ichabod of Honor and two runners up will be chosen by the Washburn student body during Homecoming week. Check out the Homecoming Packet for how to nominate a student for an Ichabod of Honor and how to vote.
Voting begins at 9 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24 and will be open until 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27. The winners will be announced revealed during Saturday's homecoming game.
Students who have been nominated should fill out the Ichabods of Honor nomination application.
What could make Homecoming week more fun? Adding more Washburn University spirit! Spirit Week that is, each day we will explore a new theme together.
- Monday is 'Dress like your Teacher' Day
- Tuesday is 'Anything but a Backpack' Day
- Wednesday is 'Western Wednesday'
- Thursday is 'Costume' Day
- With your costume, please be culturally and generally appropriate. The Washburn University Campus Activity Board (CAB) will be hosting an event before Homecoming to address this and give valuable information about this area!
- Friday is 'Wear Washburn' Day
Monday theme is "Dress like your Teacher."
Tuesday theme is "Anything but a Backpack."
Rising Stars Variety Show
- 6 - 8 p.m.
- Washburn Rooms A and B, Memorial Union
Formerly known as "Open Mic Night," bring your talent to Washburn. Whether that be singing, dancing or a comedy skit, we would love to see you perform. If not, come for the entertainment and the announcement of our Ichabods of Honor nominees during the Variety Show.
Wednesday theme is "Western Wednesday."
Scorch on the Porch - Presidential Edition
- 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
- Memorial Union
Come join us for Scorch on the Porch with the President! Washburn Alumni is joining Homecoming with free food, music and games. Our Ichabod Shop will be having a t-shirt sale as well as WSGA giveaways.
Homecoming Dance hosted by CAB
- 7 - 9 p.m.
- Washburn A/B, Memorial Union
Dance the night way at the Saddle Saloon. We'll have dancing, food, a photobooth, casino activities and more! WSGA giveaways will also be available.
Thursday theme is "Costume Day."
Yell Like Hell
- 7 p.m.
- Lee Arena
Join us on a night you'll remember. We've got lots of organizations signing up to perform and show off their moves! This will include some of our athletic teams, sorority and fraternity groups and other organizations.
Just a reminder “priority seating” for Yell like Hell will start Tuesday, October 10 at 12 p.m. and goes through Wednesday, October 25 at 5 p.m. If your organization wins, you will receive the first two to three middle front row seats at Yell like Hell. Post a photo/reel/etc. to your organization's Instagram and tag @wubodtalk. Any negative post/appearance will be disqualified.
Friday theme is "Wear Washburn."
Inauguration Ceremony and Reception
- Ceremony
- 3 p.m.
- Lee Arena
- Public Reception
- 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.
- Lee Arena
This year’s Homecoming includes a very special event, the inauguration festivities celebrating our new president, Dr. JuliAnn Mazachek, who became the first woman to lead this historic institution Feb. 1, 2023. Special activities are scheduled for students, faculty, staff, alumni and community supporters throughout Washburn Homecoming week Oct. 23-28. The public is also invited to attend the Inauguration ceremony at 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27 in Lee Arena on the Washburn campus. Join us as we celebrate our history, staying true to our mission of serving all students and growing in partnership with our community to build a bold future. Together we thrive!
Pancake Breakfast hosted by the Washburn Alumni Association and Foundation
- 8 - 10 a.m.
- Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center
- Free for children 5 and under, $5 for adults. For more information and tickets, visit https://wualumni.org/homecoming
Homecoming Football Game Tailgating
- 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
- Memorial Union Lawn and around Yager Stadium
- The winning organization will receive $500 toward funding for their organization, so we would LOVE for you to sign up.
Homecoming Football Game
- 1 p.m.
- Yager Stadium
Ichabods of Honor winners announced during halftime.
Homecoming Packet
The Homecoming packet has all the information students need to participate in Homecoming events, including rules, deadlines for registration, Top Bod information, the points system and more.
