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KS Christmas Tree Ornament Features Washburn University

Stephen Koranda

The official state Christmas tree ornament for this year recognizes the 150th anniversary of the founding of Washburn University, which is coming up in 2015.

Governor Sam Brownback unveiled the ornament at the governor's residence Monday. Washburn President Jerry Farley called it an honor and noted the strong connection between the state and the school.

"Washburn has played an integral role in the history of the state from the very beginning," said Farley.

"We were an institution that admitted everyone that would come. We admitted women, we admitted African-Americans, other minorities from the very beginning of our existence, which is really a part of the history of Kansas as well."

The ornament will appear on the tree at Cedar Crest in Topeka and on the state Christmas tree in Washington D.C.