Centennial Celebration

Thru the Years

Since 1903, Washburn University School of Law has played a vital role in educating law professionals. On September 17, 1903 Washburn Law opened its doors with forty-one students, including three women. The first graduating class consisted of seventeen graduates. From the beginning, diversity was important to Washburn. The first African-American graduated in 1910, the first woman graduated in 1912.

During its 100 years, Washburn Law has been housed in eight different locations and benefited from the leadership of twenty-one deans. During World War II the schools enrollment dropped to 10 students, but continued to remain open. Washburn Law graduates played important roles on both sides of the 1954 landmark case, Brown v. Board of Education. In 1966, a tornado destroyed the law building, forcing students to attend classes in trailers until a new building was dedicated in the fall of 1969. Through it all, the school remained strong and continued to enhance its reputation as a progressive school with innovative programs.

Today, the Robinson Courtroom and Bianchino Technology Center provides students and faculty with cutting edge technology and one of the best courtroom teaching platforms in the nation. The School's three signature programs, the Business and Transactional Law Center, the Center for Excellence in Advocacy and the Children and Family Law Center, provide students the opportunity to focus their studies in specialized areas.

Journey with us now through a decade-by-decade review of Washburn Law history.