Washburn Tech

The new name and logo for Washburn Tech was officially unveiled at a special event on Sept. 2 at the school, 5724 SW Huntoon.

The program included brief remarks, refreshments and the opportunity to visit program areas.

Music was provided by the Washburn University Concert Jazz Ensemble and Payless Jazz Combo.

“The new name and logo signifies the Institute’s bright future in providing post-secondary educational programs for emerging technologies, and moves Washburn Tech beyond being identified as an area vocational-technical school,” said Jerry B. Farley, Washburn University president.

The event was designed to promote community awareness of the new identity for the school. While the change of name was announced in January 2009, the new Washburn Tech logo was developed during the summer. Washburn Tech is commonly referred to as Washburn Tech. The new logo retains the gold and blue color scheme and open circle theme of the previous Kaw logo.

Founded as Northeast Kansas Vocational Technical School in 1964, the school was renamed Kaw Area Vocational Technical School in 1967, followed by Kaw Area Technical School in 1992. In 2008, the management of KATS shifted from Topeka Unified School District 501 Board of Education to be operated as a unit administered by Washburn University and governed by the WU Board of Regents.

Washburn Tech continues as the managing partner based on existing vocational education agreements with a consortium of 17 unified school districts. Consortium members are the districts of Auburn-Washburn, Burlingame, Holton, Jefferson County North, Jefferson County West, Kaw Valley, Mayetta, McLouth, North Jackson, Oskaloosa, Perry-Lecompton, Santa Fe Trail, Seaman, Shawnee Heights, Silver Lake, Topeka and Valley Falls.

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The transfer of governance of what is now Washburn Tech was required by House Bill 2556, which stipulated technical schools to separate from their school districts and either merge or affiliate with a four-year post-secondary education institution in Kansas or become an accredited technical college with an independent governing board. In May 2007, the Kansas Board of Regents adopted a recommendation requiring all technical schools have a final plan in place by July 2008, and all technical schools become merged or fully-accredited, independent technical colleges by July 2009.

Washburn Tech offers educational opportunities to high school, business/industry and adult students by providing quality technical training to meet individual and labor market needs. Washburn’s educational objectives are to prepare individuals for careers and further study in a variety of disciplines and for a lifetime of continuous learning.