The History of Friends University
Garfield University Opens
In 1885, the Christian Churches of Kansas voted to establish an institution of higher learning and in July 1886, work began on the building. It was named Garfield University in honor of the martyred President, James A. Garfield, who was a member of the Christian Church and a friend of..Read More
Garfield University Re-Opens
Later reorganization was announced as Edgar Harding of Boston assumed the debt. Known as Garfield Central Memorial University, the school began again in March 1892, and operated until November 1893, when Mr. Harding became owner of the building and grounds. The promoters of Wichita early determined that the city should..Read More
A Great Gift
In 1897, James M. Davis, a wealthy Quaker businessman, seeing a full page advertisement in a St. Louis newspaper offering the Garfield University campus for sale, said to his wife, “Anna, I believe this is our chance to give a college to the world.” The story is better told by..Read More
The First President is Chosen
After the Kansas Yearly Meeting chose the board of directors for Friends University, their first responsibility was to name a president. They selected Edmund Stanley, an educator, who was to lead the school for 20 years. President Stanley’s courage in accepting the difficult task showed what a man he was..Read More
The First Music Program at Friends
Albert Sickner was chosen by the university’s board of directors to organize the music program at Friends. He created a curriculum that would provide students with the proficiencies needed to be competent music participants and performers. He was responsible for organizing the Friends University Chorus, the Women’s Glee Club and..Read More
The Doors of Friends Open for the First Time
When the doors of Friends University opened September 21, 1898, only the north wing of the building containing 21 rooms was ready for use. In spite of a bare campus with only a few cottonwood trees, piles of rubbish scattered about, and a board walk leading to the north door,..Read More
The First Student Body
So begins the incredible legacy that is the Student Body of Friends University. The university had 53 students enrolled at the beginning of the first year, and by the end of the 1898-1899 term, enrollment had grown to 102 students – 57 men and 45 women. The classes that were..Read More
The First Publication
During the first college year, the University Life began, published monthly by the Literary Societies. Volume 1, Number 1, appeared in March, 1899, a 9 x 12 inch magazine type publication with a gray cover which had lettering and decorative design in red ink, the school colors chosen by students...Read More
First Athletic Report
Most of the first publication on athletics argued for a better athletic program at Friends. They provided some pretty convincing arguments for strongly encouraging exercise within the student body. “It is a pity that any bright, intelligent student must need to succumb to so called overstudy. A foolish pity! but..Read More
Early Campus Layout
While the Davis Administration building was the center of campus, by 1900 there were two residence halls: North Hall and South Hall. North Hall was a men’s residence hall containing a parlor and 40 rooms for students. South Hall, a women’s residence located one block south of Davis Administration Building,..Read More
Lucy Francisco Named Head of the Music Department
Lucy Francisco became the head of the music department. She expanded the music program to attract the general student in addition to music degree-seeking students. Under Francisco, the University Chorus focused their performances on selections from oratorios, operas, and other works of classical merit. The Glee Clubs, contrastingly, performed show..Read More
New Classes Offered
New classes offered at the beginning of the 1901-1902 term included shorthand, typewriting, penmanship, and physical culture for women.
Football Funeral
“Yes, football is dead at F.U.” In 1907, university decides to shut down the men’s football program. Devastated by the news, students organized a funeral held on October 11. The service was complete with a casket draped in black, a funeral march performed by the university orchestra, and a solemn..Read More
Art Department Opens
The art department opened in September with Miss Ruth Sturgeon instructing in crayon, watercolor, pastel, oil, china painting, and decorative work.
Debut of Men’s Soccer
Under the direction of new physical director, Verne F. Swaim, Friends University added men’s soccer to the athletic roster.
An Electrified Campus
The men’s dormitory, North Hall received cosmetic updates and electric lights. A cement walkway was laid connecting North Hall to the Davis Administration Building.
A Football Resurrection
The football program is resurrected! Dr. John Q Banbury assumed the role of head coach.
Students Help Organize Concert Tours
By 1914, the two Glee Clubs were well-established as entertaining touring ensembles. Students would help organize the annual tours and concerts which featured a mix of choral works and popular tunes, often interspersed with dramatic readings, elaborate costumes, and intricate staging. The tours were an effective recruiting tool that sparked..Read More
Physics Department Established
In the spring of 1921, the Board of Directors voted to spend $5,000 on laboratory equipment for the physics department of which Professor Samuel S. Kirby was the head.
Glee Clubs Perform “Mikado”
While Glee Club tours had been separate for the men’s and women’s ensembles up till this point, department chair, Lucius Ades planned a combined tour that featured performances of Gilbert and Sullivan’s Mikado. The combined group performed the opera in five towns, carting along bulky lighting equipment, set pieces and..Read More
Victorious Football Season
The Quaking Quaker football team celebrated a victorious season, winning six out of eight games, with a parade downtown in front of the Broadview hotel.
Men’s and Women’s Glee Clubs Combined
Roy Campbell, new head of the Friends University Music Department, combined the Men’s and Women’s Glee Clubs, following a national trend among universities during the 1920s. Instead of performing popular music, Campbell took cues from university a cappella choirs, leading the Singing Quakers to perform sacred music for memory in..Read More
Combined Glee Clubs Named “Singing Quakers”
Roy Campbell, head of the Friends University Music Department, coined the name Singing Quakers for the combined men’s and women’s glee clubs. Before the Christmas holidays the two clubs gave an outdoor pageant. During Easter vacation they made a short tour to nearby towns and their final spring performance was..Read More
“Home Concert” Series Debuts
Roy Campbell planned a spring tour for the entire music department and a final “Home Concert” in Alumni Auditorium following the tour.
“Her Lofty Heights”
“Upon a sunny Kansas plain, our college towers rise high.” The Friends University Hymn by Dean and Mrs. O. B. Baldwin made its debut appearance on page 7 of the Talisman. Upon a sunny Kansas plain, Our college towers rise high, Her massive walls, her lofty heights Stand etched against..Read More
Friends Dropped from Accreditation List
Higher standards set by the North Central Association of College and Secondary Schools required Friends University to have an endowment of $650,000. A fundraising campaign started in January 1927 raising only $400,000. The university was dropped from North Central’s accreditation list.
Great Depression Looms
With the looming Great Depression plaguing the U.S. economy, Friends University students were also experiencing financial hardship. The number of students who held part time jobs increased. Out of 175 freshman enrolled that year, 76 had employment. Out of 98 sophomores, 58 worked. Out of 64 juniors, 39 worked. By..Read More
New Men’s Dorm
A new boys’ dorm was added to the northeast corner of University and Hiram. 28 students lived there in that first year.
“Time Wasted is Existence, Used is Life”
The famed clock was added to the tower of the Davis Administration Building! In order to raise money for the tower, the seniors sponsored a play, “Adam and Eva” as a benefit. The 7 foot clock itself was made from E. Howard and Company of Boston, Massachusetts. The clock was..Read More
The Great Depression Hits
During the Great Depression, the university was forced to pursue significant faculty and budget cuts. To help cushion the budget once again, the Singing Quakers increased their number of performances to help raise money for the institution. Their thirty concerts included performances at local churches, music organizations and on radio..Read More
Alan Irwin Named New Music Department Head
Alan Irwin replaced Roy Campbell as department head. Described as a “jolly little round man with a great love for opera,” Irwin led the Singing Quakers through seven years of opera performances that included elaborate staging, lighting effects, and costumes.
Mendenhall Resigns
President Mendenhall accepted the presidency of Whittier College in California, leaving Friends University after 16 years. Students and faculty were devastated by the news. The Alumni Association hosted a farewell dinner honoring the Mendenhalls. During the event, they presented Dr. Mendenhall with a book of letters from hundreds of alumni..Read More