Washburn University was established in February 1865 as Lincoln College through a charter issued by the State of Kansas and the General Association of Congregational Ministers and Churches of Kansas. The university was founded on land donated by abolitionist John Ritchie. Washburn University's mascot, The Ichabods, honors the school's early benefactor, Ichabod Washburn. The original design of the studious-looking, tailcoat-clad figure was created in 1938 by Bradbury Thompson, who later became an internationally acclaimed graphic artist. Washburn University Athletics