125 Years of Friends University

The Singing Quakers sang for the Richard M. Nixon campaign rally at the University of Wichita Field House on October 30.

In 1959, the beloved Singing Quakers conductor, Fred Mayer, announced his resignation. To express appreciation for the director’s commitment to excellence, the alumni association honored Mayer by making him the first honorary alumnus.

Alum and former Singing Quakers student president, 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.

The Singing Quakers, in a sponsored event by the Wichita Chamber of Commerce and the Wichita Eagle, performed a newly composed work by Meredith Wilson (of The Music Man fame) and Frank Allen Hubbell: The Kansas Story. The work shared the history of Kansas and the musical composition mimicked classic..Read More

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

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 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. Philip Nagley launches the first Friends University Model United Nations in the spring. For twenty years, Model UN students would tour the United Nations in New York and the federal agencies in Washington D.C. each fall.

In June of 1965, the Singing Quakers sang at the New York World’s Fair. 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. The ensemble recorded a color..Read More

The Whittier Fine Arts Center was completed during the summer, dedicated on October 17, and was viewed by visitors at Homecoming on October 23. It’s formal opening on November 7 debuted two musical concerts that featured the Wichita Symphony Orchestra and the Singing Quakers.

In preparation for an international tour, the choir performed a benefit concert at the Wichita Consistory Auditorium and a televised concert with the KAKE Television Station.

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.

The Board of Directors approved some significant changes for the university: change from semester system to a four-quarter system, adjustment of the academic calendar in keeping with that new system, consolidation of 21 departmental disciplines into seven divisions, and the development of new curriculum. The changes went into effect in..Read More

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.

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

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

Nine Spanish language students made a summer trip to Puebla, Mexico in June.

The $1,350,00 William Penn Hall was dedicated on March 10.

A response to a growing concern for the state of the American family, the Center on Family Living was established under the direction of Sheldon Louthan.

With President Cope’s interest in making Friends University “distinctively Christian,” Dr. Richard Foster, author of The Celebration of Discipline, was hired as a writer-in-residence and teacher. Foster organized two writers’ conferences during his first few years and then established the Christian Writer’s Center, later known as the Milton Center. Dr...Read More

In the early 1970s, folding chairs were added to Alexander Auditorium to increase seating capacity. People were seated in the aisles, orchestra pit and stage apron, which of course, violated fire codes. So, by 1979, the Singing Quakers were presenting eight performances of Symphony of Spring to accommodate for the..Read More

1980 was considered “The Year of the Budget” during which Dr. Felix focused on budget restructuring and increased student recruitment.

The flag court located at the center of campus, a dream of Student Council President James Eicher, was dedicated on September 23, 1982. There flew the Christian Flag, the United Nations Flag and the American and Kansas Flags.

Dr. Felix visited China, Korea, and other Eastern countries to develop a relationship with Dr. Chung Sang Woo, president of the Pusan Women’s Junior College. They worked out a faculty exchange program. In 1984, Raymond Nelson was selected as the first exchange professor from Friends, teaching English to Korean women...Read More

Symphony of Spring was performed at the Century II Concert Hall, in 1986. 6000 people were in attendance over three concert nights. Contributions from the Union National Bank of Wichita made the grand performance possible.