Dr. Richard Felix was inaugurated as the next president of Friends University on October 6, 1979. In his inaugural address he said: “We who stand here today in 1979 can insist no less on quality and excellence for this university…We are the vessels today that must pour out our lives in service to God’s calling at Friends University. We must stay true to our distinctive mission and high purposes as a Christian institution of higher learning.” He would immediately face a budget deficit and an upcoming North Central accreditation review.