The History of Friends University
Distinctively Christian
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
Richard Felix Inaugurated as the Eleventh President
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..Read More
Mass Communication Major Leads to Radio Station Purchase
With the development of a Mass Communication major, an educational radio station located downtown Wichita became available for sale. With a grant from the Garvey Foundation, Dr. Felix purchased the building. Bill Brant and Elizabeth Sears were hired to manage the station.
The Sound of Friends
Friends University’s new radio station was finally up and running and KSOF (the Sound of Friends) went on air in January. The station was dedicated to classical music with featured specials interspersed. The station quickly gained a strong following in the community. Unfortunately, with the increasing cost of relevant technology,..Read More
First Graduate Programs Added
North Central notified President Felix on June 20, 1986 that they had approved the first graduate programs at Friends, one in Family Studies and the other in Management. Accordingly, on August 28, two Master of Science programs began.
Alumni Auditorium Restored
The launch of a $10 Million IMPACT campaign helped restore Alumni Auditorium to its former glory after it had been collecting dust as a storage room for fifteen years. Vivian Felix assumed a key leadership role in the restoration of the auditorium.
Casado Campus Center Dedicated
The Casado Campus Center is dedicated on April 1989 named after Cuban immigrant Luis and his wife Vera Casado. Luis had been a board member since 1955.
President Felix Resigns
President Felix resigns as president to assume a presidency at Azusa Pacific University in California, putting George Robert (Bob) Dove as an interim president for a year. Dove had been serving as the Dean of the College of Continuing Education at Friends University and the Executive Vice President.
First Full Time Chaplain
Dr. James Bryan Smith, a 1984 graduate, becomes the first full-time campus chaplain. He established small study and prayer groups called Flocks as well as Compassionate Ministries, a program whereby students volunteer time and skills participating in social programs like the Salvation Army, Goodwill Industries, Lutheran Social Services or Catholic..Read More
Biff Green Inaugurated as 12th President
On October 18, Dr. Biff Green is inaugurated as the 12th president of Friends University, coming from the University of La Verne in California. He outlined three priorities: Friends must live within its means; Friends must find its niche and fill it well; Friends must set a high priority on..Read More
First Lady’s Beautification Efforts Transform Campus
First Lady Binnie Green and Vice President for University Advancement, Hervey Wright II established the Landscape Committee to improve the campus grounds bringing green grass and flower gardens to the university.
Davis Building Gets a Facelift
With the Davis Building was showing its age, President Green and the Board of Trustees decided to restore the building so it could continue to serve as an historical landmark. As a result, the front steps were redone, the exterior walls were tuck-pointed, eroded mortar was restored, hundreds of bricks..Read More
Circle Drive Replaced
Circle Drive was removed to create the Rose Window Plaza, a replica of the stained glass rose window in Alumni Auditorium. It took 28,175 pavers to complete the plaza.
Terrorist Attack in New York Shocks the World
The terrorist attack in New York and Virgnia on September 11, 2001 shook the world and closed down international travel. At Friends, music tours were cancelled and the university had to respond to new mandates regarding international students.
Apprentice Institute Opens
In August 2009, Dr. James Bryan Smith developed the Apprentice Institute. The institute provides spiritually transforming educational experiences for churches and individuals seeking a Christ-centered life. Its main goals are to educate the current and next generation of leaders; resource individuals, churches, pastors and ministries in the work of Christian..Read More
President Green Retires
Biff Green announced his retirement from his role as president.
Debut Apprentice Gathering
The first Apprentice Gathering was hosted in Alumni Auditorium. The three-day conference connected notable authors and speakers with attendees from all over the world to learn and engage in Christian spiritual formation.
T.J. Arant Inaugurated as 13th President
T.J. Arant is inaugurated as the 13th president of Friends University.
Amy Bragg Carey Inaugurated as the Fourteenth President
On October 16, 2015, Dr. Amy Bragg Carey was inaugurated as the 14th President of Friends University. Dr. Carey came from Minnesota where she served as the Vice President of Advancement for the University of Northwestern St. Paul. Her focus would be to build on the Christian heritage of the..Read More
Revitalization and Growth Plan
Dr. Carey establishes a Revitalization and Growth Plan. Within a year that plan made way for: a reaffirmed Christian mission; new academic programs including cyber, a special education program, a master’s in Christian Spiritual Formation, the retooling of a Spanish bachelor’s degree and nationally ranked programs like the Master’s in..Read More
Jerry Smartt Develops Latino Leadership Program
Dr. Jerry Smartt and President Carey collaborated on a mentorship and leadership program for students with an interest in Hispanic and Latino culture and language. Known as Latino Leadership, the scholarship program launched its first cohort in 2017.
Dallas Willard Endowed Chair Established
The university established the Dallas Willard Endowed Chair for Christian Spiritual Formation named in recognition of the significant role Dallas Willard and his teachings have played in the development of the Apprentice Institute and the Christian Spiritual Formation programs at Friends University. The first person named to hold the Willard..Read More
Fellowship of Christian Athletes
The Athletic Department establishes a partnership with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, hiring an FCA staff member to mentor students. Through the FCA internship program, students could receive scholarships.
Global Pandemic Cancels Classes
As the world navigated a global pandemic due to the Covid-19 Coronavirus, the university followed national mandates to close the school, transition to online classes and work from home in March.
Big Announcement
On February 9, 2021, Dr. Carey releases a “big announcement” highlighting a new RISE Up Capital Campaign that sought to renovate the Garvey Physical Education Center.
Fine Arts Performances Resume
A year after the pandemic’s surge, the university hosted in-person music and theatrical performances once again.
Classes Resume With Health Regulations
In the fall, the campus returns to in-person learning with hybrid options and enhanced health and safety measures on campus including frequent testing, vaccine clinics, and mask-wearing mandates.
Renovated Garvey P.E. Center Dedicated
October 22, 2021, the Garvey P.E. Center was dedicated after months of construction. The updated facility now features larger weight and training rooms, a refreshed entryway, new administrative offices, team rooms and conference rooms.
Christmas Candlelight Concert Televised
Kansas Public Television televised the annual Christmas Candlelight Concerts in December. A collection of ensembles including Friends University Singing Quakers, bands, orchestra and student dancers performed.
Our Next Act
In April 2022, Dr. Carey announced phase two of the RISE Up Capital Campaign: Our Next Act. This phase would seek to renovate and expand the Riney Fine Arts Center, starting off the $7 Million project with a $2 Million donation toward a new chapel.
Engineering and Art Lab Groundbreaking
A groundbreaking ceremony was hosted for a Mechanical Engineering and Visual Art lab addition to the William Penn Science Building.
Senate Proclamation of 125th Anniversary of Friends
Dr. Carey, Board Chair, Thayne Thompson, Student Body President, Becker Truster, Director of Alumni Relations, Jessica Boone and Public Relations and Communication Manager, Laura Fuller witnessed the proclamation of Friends University’s 125th anniversary by the Kansas House and Senate at the state Capitol in Topeka in March.