The History of Friends University
United States Catapults into World War II
The infamous attack on Pearly Harbor catapulted the United Stated into World War II. This had serious ramifications on the home front as many young men were drafted into the war. Enrollment was down 17 percent during the second semester of 1941, 151 men to 191 women.
Explosion!
Friday, August 13 at 10:30 a.m., The Explosion! A buildup of heat under the old hot water boiler in the Davis Building, generated growing pressure that spewed the top of the boiler off. The result was a large hole in the library stack room, shaking the sub floor under the..Read More
Enrollment Down
The war had ended but the effects of the war lingered on. The Friends University Bulletin reported in December 1944 that the first semester enrollment was at 192. The lowest it had been in 22 years. The largest class was the freshman class, boasting 11 men and 40 women. With..Read More
President Young Resigns
President W.A. Young resigns as president, being replaced by mathematics department head, C.A. Reagan who would serve as interim.
Welcome Home, Boys!
With the return of servicemen, enrollment swelled to 410 with 222 men and 188 women. The enrollment total boosted further in the second semester at 526. The Singing Quakers was once again a mixed ensemble! The campus was rejuvenated.
New Music Hall
To accommodate the increasing enrollment (now at 569), the South Hall men’s dorm was converted into the Music Hall, complete with two classrooms, four studios, seven practice rooms, a department head office, and a listening room. Several foreign students also lived in the building.
50th Anniversary Year, New President
In its 50th Anniversary Year, Friends University welcomed Sheppard Arthur Watson as fifth president of the university. Coming from Wilmington College in Ohio, where he had been president for seven years, Watson was thrilled to be “getting home,” for his boyhood days were spent near Hesper, Kansas and he was..Read More
Golden Anniversary Chapel
The golden anniversary events continued into 1948 with a special 50th Anniversary Chapel on September 22 that honored eight Wichitans who were members of the 1898 student body: Mr. And Mrs. James Cox, Grace Reed, Birtha E. Wentworth, Mabel Woodard, Omie W. Davis and Herbert Smith.
Singing Quakers Celebrate 25 Years
The Singing Quakers celebrated their 25th anniversary under the direction of Fred C. Mayer. One of the notable students in the 50-voice ensemble was that of Cecil J. Riney, who became the director of the Singing Quakers 10 years later.
Sumpter Hall Added
With the addition of Sumpter Hall, the campus now included six buildings: Davis Administration, East Hall Women’s Dormitory, Music Hall, Stanley Gymnasium, and Industrials Arts Building. Sumpter Hall housed the home economics department, cafeteria, bookstore, art department.
President Watson Resigns
On August 31, 1952, President Watson announced his resignation. The Board unanimously voted for the installation of Bible professor Lloyd S. Cressman to assume the presidential position.
Lloyd Silas Cressman Inaugurated as Sixth President
Lloyd Silas Cressman was inaugurated as president of Friends University on October 17, 1952 in Alumni Auditorium. Retiring president Watson gave an encouraging charge to Cressman as the pastor of University Friends Church gave a dedicatory prayer. Cressman, an Ontario, Canada native, had been a member of the faculty and..Read More
Hoyt Field Dedicated
September 19 Hoyt Field, a newly rebuilt athletic field named after Fred N. Hoyt (missionary, Friends museum director, and former star athlete from 1900-1904,) was dedicated. Senator Andrew F. Schoeppel was the principal speaker at the ceremony.
President Cressman Resigns
President Lloyd S. Cressman resigned October 10, 1956. Dr. Lowell E. Roberts, head of the Department of Bible at Friends University, was promoted to the position of interim president.
Dr. Lowell E. Roberts Inaugurated as Seventh President
Dr. Lowell E. Roberts was inaugurated as the seventh president of the university on October 11 in Alumni Auditorium. President Emeritus, Dr. S. Arthur Watson presented a challenge to Roberts.
New Dorms Added
Groundbreaking ceremonies for two new dormitories were held on December 10, 1957. Notable participants included Rev. Robert Cope, pastor of University Friends Church; Paul Brown, Board Chair; Luis Casado, member of the building committee; and Rev. Merle Roe, superintendent of Kansas Yearly Meeting of the Society of Friends. The residence..Read More
Richard Nixon Hosts a Rally in Wichita
The Singing Quakers sang for the Richard M. Nixon campaign rally at the University of Wichita Field House on October 30.
Singing Quakers Director Resigns
Upon the resignation of Fred Mayer, Cecil J. Riney assumed the position as the head of the Friends University School of Music, taking over the duties as the director of the Singing Quakers.
Marching Band Debuts
October 23 was the debut of the marching band. Developed to encourage school spirit, the band began with 35 members.
Wichita Dubbed an All-America City
The City of Wichita was presented with an “All-America City” award, an award given annually to 11 cities on the basis of citizen participation and achievements. Look Magazine and the National Municipal League were co-sponsors of the award. Friends University’s Singing Quakers provided music at City Hall when the “All-America..Read More
Plans for a New Fine Arts Building Revealed
In its sixty-fifth year, the university launched plans for a new Fine Arts Building. President Roberts said, “The Music Department has made its headquarters for years in an antiquated frame structure which has serious space and heating deficiencies.” The new 460-seat auditorium, complete with classrooms and practice rooms would cost..Read More
Cecil J. Riney Promoted to Head of Music Department
Cecil J. Riney was promoted to the head of the music department upon receiving his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.
Dr. Roy Ray Elected as Eighth President
On February 15, 1965, Dr. Roy F. Ray, a member of the faculty since 1960, was elected to be the eighth president of Friends University. Ray originally came to Wichita to pastor at St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church in Haysville and taught part-time in the philosophy department at Friends.
Singing Quakers Grace the New York World’s Fair
The Singing Quakers sang at the New York World’s Fair in June. The fair’s theme that year was “Peace Through Understanding;” it featured exhibitions designed by NASA, the debut of Walt Disney’s ‘It’s a Small World’ ride, and even the world’s largest cheese.
Whittier Fine Arts Center Complete
Following a Baccalaureate Service, the university held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Fine Arts building on May 31, 1964. following the Baccalaureate Service. The Whittier Fine Arts Center was completed during the summer of 1965, dedicated on October 17, viewed by visitors at Homecoming on October 23 and had..Read More
Plans for Three New Buildings Added to Campus
Plans for the construction of three new buildings (library, science-mathematics, and gymnasium) were approved. The library was projected to cost $780,000 and would be able to seat 475 people, housing 100,000 volumes of books. The three-story science building was expected to cost $880,000 and would include an observatory. The two-story..Read More
Singing Quakers: First Choir from Wichita to Tour Abroad
The Singing Quakers took on a European concert tour in July, making them the first choir from Wichita to ever tour abroad. The 43-member ensemble, plus a faculty vocal quartet participated in the International Music Eisteddfod (festival) in Wales and continued concerts in London, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Italy and France.
New Garvey Center Shares Ownership with YMCA
The new Garvey Physical Education Center was officially opened on February 7. It was jointly operated by the West Branch YMCA. The dedication ended with a football victory against Sterling, viewed by 3200 fans.
New Library Named After First President
The administration broke ground the new Edmund Stanley Library, named after the university’s first president, on November 7. The 37,000 square foot library was then dedicated on March 10.
Singing Quakers Perform at the White House
The Singing Quakers were invited to appear at the White House Christmas Pageant of Peace. The ceremony included Christmas selections by the U.S. Marine Band, a performance by the Singing Quakers and an address by President Nixon. The pageant was carried live by all major radio and television networks within..Read More
Dr. Ray Reports Financial Struggles
In spite of numerous gifts and bequests during the year, Dr. Ray reported in his column, From the President’s Desk, in the October issue of the Friends University Bulletin: “We were in the deficit column last year and unless we find extra finances, will be again this year,” and in..Read More
Dr. Ray Resigns
On January 3, President Roy Ray resigned.
Harold C. Cope Inaugurated as Ninth President
Harold C. Cope, former vice president for business affairs at Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana, was elected as the ninth president. His inauguration was held on February 6, 1973.