Friends University is a private non-denominational
Christian university in Wichita, Kansas.
Friends University was founded in 1898. The main building was
originally built in 1886 for Garfield University, but was donated
in 1898 to the Religious
Society of Friends (Quakers) by James Davis, a St. Louis
business man. In the 1930s the leadership of the school was turned
over to an independent Board of Trustees, with some representation
of the Mid-America Yearly Meeting of Friends on the board. It
operates today with "an amicable but independent relationship with
the Society of Friends."
[2] The mission of Friends
University is "to provide a high quality undergraduate and graduate
education that incorporates liberal arts instruction and
professional studies within the context of the Christian
faith."
History
Garfield
University
The building now known as the Davis Administration Building was
completed in September 1887[3]
to house Garfield University. Garfield was an effort by the
Christian Churches of Kansas led by Dr. W.B.
Hendryx to build a Christian college in the Wichita area. Hendryx wanted to name the
college after his good friend, President James Garfield.[4]
At the time, it was the largest educational institution west of the
Mississippi river.
Garfield University opened its doors for classes in 1887. The
University had 500 students enrolled for the first year and 1,070
for the second year. After graduating its first and only senior
class, Garfield University closed its doors in 1890 due to
financial difficulties. The school was reorganized and opened again
in March 1892 as Garfield Central Memorial University. It closed
for good November 18, 1893.
As crop failures and deaths made it difficult for pledges to be
paid, the university floundered financially. Edgar
Harding of Boston
eventually became the owner of the property, and began putting out
ads for someone to purchase it; James Davis of St. Louis, a
Quaker,
answered one of those ads. Davis had "proclaimed he would buy a
college and give it to the Quakers with his first million dollars".
After three visits to the building that would eventually be named
after him, he began looking into purchasing the land.[4]
Friends
University
On March 31, 1898, Davis had closed the purchase.
Representatives were called in May of that year for a called
meeting of the Kansas Yearly Meeting of Friends, because Davis
wanted classes to begin that autumn and the meeting was not
scheduled until October. The Friends unanimously decided to accept
the offer,[5]
and Edmund
Stanley (A Clerk of the Kansas Yearly Meeting) was recruited to
serve as Friends University's first President.[4]
In October, at the scheduled meeting, Stanley reported that the
school was opened on September 21, 1898, and that "In accordance
with the purposes in organizing and maintaining a denominational
institution for higher education, we are encouraging such movements
as will cultivate and stimulate spiritual growth and development."
He also acknowledged additional gifts from local citizens of
Wichita (Davis included) in the form of works of art.[5]
Davis made one request at the donation of the land that the
university be named Friend's University. The name has never
changed, or ever been different, from Friends University, even
though the university did not offer Master's degrees until the 1980s.
The Kansas Yearly Meeting Summer Conference on the steps of Davis,
1922
53 students enrolled initially, of whom only 12 were ready for
college work. A college of liberal arts and a preparatory department offered
classes in Literature, History,
Mathematics, Astronomy, Bible,
German, Elocution, and oratory. Classes were also available in Piano, Voice,
and Music Harmony
and Theory.[4]
President Stanley shared the vision and future he saw for the
University during the opening meeting: "The purpose of this school
shall be to give to the world and to give our country a class of
citizens that will be in every sense loyal citizens. Loyalty has in
it more than we often think.... Loyalty means that mental training
and discipline which makes the child think, the development which
makes him strong in mind and body, strong in his moral nature, a
full man in that intelligence which should direct the efforts of
all men for conscientious, honorable and successful private life
and citizenship."
Academics
Friends University grants a wide range of degrees through the
College of Business, Arts, Sciences and Education (CBASE), the
College of Adult Professional Studies (CAPS), and a Graduate School
(GRAD).
CBASE, Friends' undergraduate school, offers degrees in Business
and Information Technology, Education, Fine Arts, Natural Science
and Mathematics, Religion and Humanities, and Social and Behavioral
Sciences. Friends offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in ballet and a
Bachelor of Science in Zoo Science, both of which are rarely
offered by other institutions.
CAPS offers to working adults classes in general studies through
PACE (Program for Adult College Education), and a degree completion
program.[6]
The Graduate School offers twelve Master's level degrees in
areas such as Marriage and Family Therapy, Christian Ministry,
Business, Teaching, Health Care, and Management.[7]
School
groups
The Friends University Art Department has a track record in the
Wichita area of producing professional contemporary artists as well
as being the home of the Epsilon Rho chapter of the Kappa Pi International Honorary Art Fraternity.
Another renowned arts program at Friends University is the main
choir, named the Singing Quakers. Led by Dr. Cecil
Riney for over 45 years from 1959–2005, the choir came to
national recognition and acclaim. Many great composers and artists
have worked with the group, including Moses Hogan and John
Rutter. They have traveled the globe to many locations
including most of the United States, Canada, Mexico, Germany,
Australia, Austria, and many others. The choir is now led by Dr.
Mark Bartel.
Athletics
Friends University athletic teams are nicknamed as the Falcons.
The university is a member of the National
Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), competing in
the Kansas Collegiate
Athletic Conference (KCAC). Men's sports include baseball,
basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, tennis and track
& field; while women's sports include basketball, cross
country, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field and
volleyball.
Notable
alumni