125 Years of Friends University

Later reorganization was announced as Edgar Harding of Boston assumed the debt. Known as Garfield Central Memorial University, the school..Read More

After the Kansas Yearly Meeting chose the board of directors for Friends University, their first responsibility was to name a..Read More

When the doors of Friends University opened September 21, 1898, only the north wing of the building containing 21 rooms..Read More

During the first college year, the University Life began, published monthly by the Literary Societies. Volume 1, Number 1, appeared..Read More

While the Davis Administration building was the center of campus, by 1900 there were two residence halls: North Hall and..Read More

Friends University graduated its first class during Commencement Week, June 2-6. Receiving their degrees were five people, Melissa Stanley Fellow,..Read More

The debut men’s basketball game was held on February 10, 1904. The sport would be officially added to the roster..Read More

Tuition was $36.00, paid in advance, with room and board costing $2.75-$3.25 per week.

The Women’s Glee Club embarked on their first tour through Kansas and Oklahoma while the men took to the rails..Read More

The university invested $2,000 in Alumni Auditorium, adding ten custom-designed stained glass windows and a large rose window at the..Read More

The men’s dormitory, North Hall received cosmetic updates and electric lights. A cement walkway was laid connecting North Hall to..Read More

In 1914, Lucius Ades took over the music department. During this time, enrollment in music courses and performing ensembles increased.

The baseball team earned a 1916 State Championship title after winning 14 out of 15 scheduled games.

President Stanley resigns in July. William O. Mendenhall is voted in as new president on July 5.

While Glee Club tours had been separate for the men’s and women’s ensembles up till this point, department chair, Lucius..Read More

The Quaking Quaker football team celebrated a victorious season, winning six out of eight games, with a parade downtown in..Read More

Roy Campbell, head of the Friends University Music Department, coined the name Singing Quakers for the combined men’s and women’s..Read More

Roy Campbell planned a spring tour for the entire music department and a final “Home Concert” in Alumni Auditorium following..Read More

Soccer and Cross Country are introduced at Friends. With encouragement from the Women’s Athletic Association, which had just made its..Read More

Higher standards set by the North Central Association of College and Secondary Schools required Friends University to have an endowment..Read More

A striking stone entrance was gifted to the university by the senior class of 1928. Senior class gifts started becoming..Read More

Alumni Auditorium is complete – funded by the Friends University Alumni Association. The senior class of 1925 gifted the auditoriums..Read More

A new boys’ dorm was added to the northeast corner of University and Hiram. 28 students lived there in that..Read More

During the Great Depression, the university was forced to pursue significant faculty and budget cuts. To help cushion the budget..Read More

President Mendenhall accepted the presidency of Whittier College in California, leaving Friends University after 16 years. Students and faculty were..Read More