TOPEKA (KSNT) – Officials at Washburn University are celebrating after they received a $3 million gift that will go toward supporting its history program.
Jen LeClair, senior director of marketing and communications at Washburn University, said in a press release on Sept. 23 that Johnathan Hart and Lloyd Shermer have contributed to a combined gift of $3 million to the university. LeClair said the gift will support the History Department at Washburn, providing increased resources and flexibility to the program.
The gift will also establish the Robin Shrimplin Memorial Fund. LeClair said this fund honors a longtime history department staff member and the impact she made on students at the university.
“This extraordinary gift will elevate the Washburn History Department for generations to come, creating truly exceptional learning experiences and new opportunities for our faculty and staff to know our students and support their educational goals leading them to even greater success,” said Dr. JuliAnn Mazachek, president, Washburn University. “It is a lasting investment in the future of the department and in the personal, student-centered experience that defines Washburn.”
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LeClair said this gift will help increase flexibility in the history program regarding its responses to opportunities and priorities that arise while also strengthening the educational experience it offers students.
“This exceptional investment will be transformational for the department,” said Dr. Kelly Erby, professor of history and dean of the College of Arts & Sciences. “It expands what is possible, providing support for scholarships, experiential learning opportunities like study abroad and hands-on research. Most importantly, it will open doors for students and faculty to discover new interests, ask important questions and pursue ambitious goals.”
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