According to Friends University records, she is the youngest person to graduate from the university in recent history.

Elizabeth has been academically ahead of her “birth age” since she was a toddler, and could count to 10 at 16 months old and was reading and writing at the age of 2. Her mother notes that one of her favorite activities is doing puzzles face down, with the “brown side” facing up.

Elizabeth graduated with two associate degrees from Colby Community College; one in pre-veterinary science and one in art. She had planned to enter the genetics field working with animals, but after her grandmother died after 32 years of living with multiple sclerosis, she knew her passion was in human genetics.

“We liked Friends because of the faith-based environment,” her mom said. “We knew moving her into the dorms would give her the opportunity to learn how to live on her own, preparing her for the future she had planned. She could always call us, but she was learning how to be on her own.”

Elizabeth has served as a lab assistant for Dr. Prince Agbedanu, assistant professor of biology and director of human biology and the health science program, and as secretary of the Friends University Health Sciences Club. She has volunteered in many service projects through Friends University and the community; volunteering regularly at Guadalupe Clinic, participating in the yearly Kidney Walk, Wichita’s Gingerbread House and spending hundreds of hours fundraising for non-profit Masonic organizations in Wichita.

She will be participating in the Friends University study abroad experience in Ghana, Africa next month, where she will be part of a student team that will learn about foreign health care systems and explore unique Neglected Tropical Diseases.

Elizabeth will be moving to Trondheim, Norway for the next phase of her studies; her master’s in molecular and cellular biology.  She has been accepted as one of only 400 non-native students (from among 5,800 applicants) to study at NTNU: Norwegian University of Science and Technology, the largest university in Norway. She then plans to earn her Ph.D., and possibly an M.D., in genetics in Norway or hopefully at Cornell University.

“She’s a very ambitious and motivated young woman,” her mom said. “We are very proud of her and can’t wait to see what all she will accomplish.”

Friends University’s 118^th annual Commencement took place Saturday, May 12, at 2 p.m. at INTRUST Bank Arena in Wichita. Approximately 450 students graduated.

Friends University, a Christian University of Quaker heritage, equips students to honor God and serve others by integrating their intellectual, spiritual and professional lives.

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This is a benefit concert for Youth Horizons and a free-will offering will be collected. Guest soloist Earnest Alexander will join the bands. Be sure to bring lawn chairs and blankets as no chairs will be provided.

The Senseney Music Community Band was formally organized April 7, 1987. The purpose of the organization is to provide a performance opportunity for the amateur wind and percussion player.

The performance will take place on the south lawn outside of the Riney Fine Arts Center on the Friends University campus at 2100 W. University Ave., Wichita, Kan. The performance is free and open to the public.

For more information on this event or other Fine Arts events, please contact the Fine Arts Box Office at 316-295-5677 or finearts@friends.edu.

Friends University, a Christian University of Quaker heritage, equips students to honor God and serve others by integrating their intellectual, spiritual and professional lives.

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“Friends University has built strong connections with local educators, and this exciting event was fostered out of a deep appreciation for these hard-working individuals,” said Dr. Dona Gibson, professor of education and psychology and program director of the master of education. “By hosting this event, we are saying ‘thank you,’ to the education community that we have actively supported and equipped for many years. At the same time, we are building more connections by expanding our partnerships with educators.”

Friends University offers a Master of Education degree with two tracks: Teaching and Learning and Special Education High Incidence (P-12).  This summer, Friends University will host several teacher education workshops. For more information, visit friends.edu/continuing-ed.

Friends University, a Christian University of Quaker heritage, equips students to honor God and serve others by integrating their intellectual, spiritual and professional lives.

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“Our MBA degree with an accounting concentration is an excellent choice for students who seek to expand their business administration capabilities and want to increase their capabilities in accounting, such as obtaining a certification in accounting,” said Dr. David Hofmeister, dean of the College of Adult and Professional Studies and the Graduate School. “Two recent national rankings affirm the superior quality of Friends University’s program.”

Friends University offers a Professional MBA program and a Global MBA program. Both programs can include the accounting concentration for working professionals who have an accounting degree or the equivalent. Both degrees with the accounting concentration are offered online and on-campus, and neither requires the GRE or GMAT for entrance.

The accounting concentration prepares students for leadership positions in business. The program’s purpose is to develop students’ skills in the functional areas of profit and non-profit organizations. After completing all courses required by the Kansas State Board of Accountancy (KSBOA) and successfully accomplishing 150 or more credits, students are qualified to sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam. Additionally, students with at least two continuous years of professional experience in management accounting or financial management can also sit for the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) exam.

The Best Value Schools rankings were determined using tuition costs, graduation rates, dates to finish, student satisfaction, convenience to students, job placement, quality of education and flexibility for working adults. For more information, visit https://www.bestvalueschools.org/online-masters-in-accounting-degree/.

Friends University, a Christian University of Quaker heritage, equips students to honor God and serve others by integrating their intellectual, spiritual and professional lives.

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The show will include 30 students and eight faculty contributors and will be on display through Saturday, May 19.

The reception will take place in the Riney Fine Arts Gallery in Riney Fine Arts Center at Friends University, 2100 W. University Ave., Wichita, Kan. The reception is free and open to the public.

For more information on this event or other Fine Arts events, please contact the Fine Arts Box Office at 316-295-5677 or finearts@friends.edu.

Friends University, a Christian University of Quaker heritage, equips students to honor God and serve others by integrating their intellectual, spiritual and professional lives.

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This will be the 12th annual coffeehouse show where students present an entertaining compilation of talents. Past shows have included singing, dancing, juggling and even puppets. The concert is free, and coffee and baked goods are available to purchase.

The performance will take place in Casado Campus Center Atrium on the Friends University campus at 2100 W. University Ave., Wichita, Kan.

For more information on this event or other Fine Arts events, please contact the Fine Arts Box Office at 316-295-5677 or finearts@friends.edu.

Friends University, a Christian University of Quaker heritage, equips students to honor God and serve others by integrating their intellectual, spiritual and professional lives.

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The “come and go” event is free and open to the public and will take place from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Fry and Woolman Hall (formerly the College of Adult and Professional Studies/Information Technology Facility) at 2100 W. University Ave. Friends University staff from admissions, financial aid, student accounts and advising will be available, so prospective adult students can complete the entire enrollment process in one stop. Application fees will be waived at this event. Attendees are encouraged to RSVP at friends.edu/enroll.

The following special activities will be offered:

• Drawings for prizes (all day) – You may enter a drawing to win prizes, including a $500 scholarship.
• Resume and cover letter reviews – Career Services staff will be available to review your resume and cover letter.
• Campus tours – View the campus firsthand during a personalized tour.

For more information about this event, call 316-295-5300 or 877-857-5424.

Friends University, a Christian university of Quaker heritage, equips students to honor God and serve others by integrating their intellectual, spiritual and professional lives.

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The trio was formed in 2002 and is dedicated to the performance of music featuring voice, violin and keyboard. Consisting of Dr. Schloneger, tenor, Rebecca Schloneger, violin, and Kenneth Rodgers, piano and organ, the group excels in a variety of styles, with an eclectic repertoire ranging from Bach to Broadway to bluegrass. The trio is also a family affair: Matthew and Rebecca are husband and wife, and Kenneth is Matthew’s uncle.

The trio has performed extensively throughout the United States as a part of the Kansas Arts Commission and Mid-America Arts Alliance touring rosters. The Sunflower Trio released its first recording All Good Gifts, featuring arrangements of familiar classical and popular songs in 2005 and a second recording, Reflections: The Music of J. Harold Moyer, in 2015.

The performance will take place in Alumni Auditorium in the Davis Administration Building on the Friends University campus at 2100 W. University Ave., Wichita, Kan. Tickets are free, and the recital is open to the public.

For more information on this event or other Fine Arts events, please contact the Fine Arts Box Office at 316-295-5677 or finearts@friends.edu.

Friends University, a Christian University of Quaker heritage, equips students to honor God and serve others by integrating their intellectual, spiritual and professional lives.

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The performance involves over 100 students and has been a tradition for more than 50 years.

“I love seeing so many families in the audience singing along and having just as much fun as we are,” said Singing Quakers performer Brittany Kuemmerle, senior.

The performances will run Friday and Saturday, April 27-28, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 29, at 2 p.m. in Sebits Auditorium, Riney Fine Arts Center on the Friends University campus at 2100 W. University Ave., Wichita, Kan.

Tickets for adults are $15; students and seniors are $12. Tickets can be purchased by calling Friends University at 316-295-5677 or visiting friends.edu/finearts.

For more information on this event or other Fine Arts events, please contact the Fine Arts Box Office at finearts@friends.edu.

Friends University, a Christian University of Quaker heritage, equips students to honor God and serve others by integrating their intellectual, spiritual and professional lives.

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The world is an increasingly complex place. We are constantly bombarded with conflicting messages about who we are and how we should live in the world. We seem to struggle to know how to live well in this rapidly moving, ever-changing culture.

At Friends University, we experience these same cultural messages. As we consider the future, and the role our graduates play in this world, we hope they are encouraged to make our world a better place. And that’s shaping how we educate our students.

To accomplish our goal of preparing graduates to lead, influence and transform our world, we are leaning on ideas that have shaped the lives and faith of our founders, the Society of Friends (also known as Quakers), a Christian community seeking to embody the words of Jesus: “You are my friends if you do what I command” (John 15:14). These ideas are known as SPICES (simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality and stewardship). We believe these qualities, along with the grace of God and the incredible education they receive, make our graduates stand out and serve our world for the better.

Simplicity can come in many forms and is about reducing much of life to what is necessary, essential and important. This can come in word, deed, dress or desires.

Peace seems self-explanatory, yet we often struggle to know how to live into it. When we learn to listen, and really hear others, we can better understand, empathize and seek the greater good above our own selfish desires. This leads to a higher level of internal and external peace – which can be contagious!

Integrity. In a world where we often mask our true feelings and self, integrity is a call to be the same person – in all places, to all people, at all times. What you see is what you get. It is a simpler existence that creates more peace – internal and external.

Community is more than just being connected. Research tells us while we are more connected (digitally, virtually), we are more relationally disconnected, and more unhealthy and unhappy, than we ever have been. We are created as relational beings to be in intentional relationships with others. Embracing simplicity, peace and integrity leads us into deeper connections and healthier community.

Equality is a buzzword these days. Yet it highlights an important issue plaguing humanity in most cultures.  Quakers have sought to address this issue from their origin. We are all created equal. When we embody this reality, you can see how it shapes the health of our communities and culture.

Stewardship is an idea and practice that helps us see ourselves as implicated in all things. We are called to be caretakers of the elements of life we encounter. Each of us plays a role. We do not leave the work of taking care of our world and resources to someone else. It is our shared responsibility.

Education will always be important and essential. If we fail to incorporate the SPICES that embody the ways Quakers have sought to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, I wonder where we will end up as a society?

We remain hopeful because this younger generation believes things need to change. At Friends University, we believe the ways we are preparing and equipping the world’s future leaders speaks to the changes our world so desperately needs.

Dr. Guy Chmieleski is campus pastor and dean of campus ministries at Friends University. Friends University is celebrating Quaker Heritage Week April 8-14. This editorial ran in the Wichita Eagle April 6, 2018.

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“In a society becoming more advanced every day, Friends University is pleased to offer three new concentrations, which enable students to enter their field as business leaders,” said Dr. David Hofmeister, dean of the College of Adult and Professional Studies and the Graduate School. “The three new concentrations enhance our student-centric MBA programs to give students seven total concentration options to tailor their education leading to lifelong career success.”

Students completing the cyber security concentration learn the basics of cyber threats, cyber law, information controls and network/systems security administration. This program, comprised of four courses, prepares students to be leaders in technology within their companies.

The finance concentration prepares students to apply ethics in finance and public policy, evaluate an organization’s overall financial health, utilize financial instruments and tools to construct and manage a global portfolio, and assess risk associated with investing in international markets. The concentration’s four courses enable student to combine their advanced business administration skills with specialized skills in corporate finance.

The human resource concentration equips students for strategic talent management. By completing the required five or six courses depending upon interests, students learn both strategic and analytical skills necessary to apply talent management in the workplace. This concentration prepares students for organizational decision making with talent recruitment, personnel management, productivity, compensation, and compliance.

For more information about these new concentrations and for a complete listing of concentrations, visit friends.edu/mba.

Friends University, a Christian University of Quaker heritage, equips students to honor God and serve others by integrating their intellectual, spiritual and professional lives.

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The program is titled The Colorful, Wonderful World of Vocal Jazz.

“The ‘colorful’ part of the program features vocal jazz arrangements of songs which reference colors in their titles, such as ‘Goodbye, Yellow Brick Road,’ and ‘True Colors’,” JVE Director Craig Curry explains. “The ‘wonderful’ part of the program features four songs by Stevie Wonder, including ‘Overjoyed,’ arranged by myself.”

This year’s ensemble had the privilege of performing before a Take 6 concert and was one of two vocal jazz groups performing at the Southwest Region American Choral Directors Association Conference in Oklahoma City.

Tickets for adults are $6; students and seniors are $3. Tickets can be purchased by calling Friends University at 316-295-5677. The performance will take place in Sebits Auditorium in Riney Fine Arts Center on the Friends University campus at 2100 W. University Ave., Wichita, Kan.

For more information on this event or other Fine Arts events, please contact the Fine Arts Box Office at 316-295-5677 or finearts@friends.edu.

Friends University, a Christian University of Quaker heritage, equips students to honor God and serve others by integrating their intellectual, spiritual and professional lives.

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