Community Service

Community service/service learning is an integral part of the Friends University educational and extracurricular experience. The Office of Community and Residential Development offers several programs/initiatives for students interested in giving their time and talents to local, regional, national and even international causes/organizations. Activities include:

Mission/Purpose
The Office of Community and Residential Development exists within the Division of Student Affairs at Friends University. We support the overall mission of the University and the Division by providing opportunities for exploration and growth in areas such as diversity, civic engagement, experiential learning and servant leadership. We are genuinely interested in helping students succeed in all areas of the college experience.

Week of Welcome Community Service Day
WOW Community Service Day is a tradition that helps introduce new members of the University community to our culture of volunteerism. Each fall, the Division of Student Affairs coordinates a day of service in which students, faculty, staff, alumni and administration can participate. Projects vary from year to year.

  • 2011 – All incoming freshmen and transfer students met in front of Davis Administration Building on Rose Window Plaza at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 22, 2011 to welcome the third grade students of Colvin Elementary School. Each Friends University student teamed up with a Colvin student and led them around the campus to different activities including physical activities, as well as a zoo science, fine arts and a reading activity. We were excited to showcase not only our University, but also the importance of college. After the event, the students gathered in Sebits Auditorium for a wrap-up presentation with a highlight video from the day. Transportation for the Colvin students, a T-shirt and lunch were provided for the students.

Business Career Fair
The Office of Community and Residential Development is partnering with the Office of Campus and Career Transitions for this year’s Business Career Fair.  If you are a non-profit organization looking to hire interns or staff members; part-time, full-time, or summer staff, then we invite you to participate with us.  This Career Fair brings in students and community members that are eager to contribute their skills. There will be undergraduate students, graduate students, and professional workers seeking out opportunities at this event.   We will provide a table/booth space and also a space to conduct interviews, should you need it.  This event is free for all non-profit organizations.  For more information please visit the Business Career Fair page or call our office.

Salvation Army Service Day
Each year since 1992, Friends University closes its campus and sends its faculty and staff, along with several students, to serve at the Salvation Army. The University assists the charity group with Christmas preparations, sorting children’s gifts, assembling bikes and decorating the facility.

The 2011 Salvation Army Service Day will tentatively take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12.

Purpose of Alternative Spring Break Trips
To promote critical thinking, heighten social and cultural awareness, and advocate continued community-based service on the local, regional, national and international levels. The intensity of these experiences will increase the likelihood that participants become active citizens — transferring what they learn back to their campus community and beyond.

  • ASB 2011 - Reaching the Windy City
    This year, Brett McLaughlin, Director of Community Service and Coordinator of Student Development, along with Donna Fourtner, Assistant Director of Community Service and Coordinator of Student Development, led a team of six students to Chicago, Illinois. While in Chicago, the team partnered with Center for Student Missions (CSM) and provided service in different capacities to neighborhoods within Chicago. They worked in Sabin Magnet Elementary School helping teachers and students in different ways ranging from sorting and filing books, cleaning up areas, and reading with students. They also worked with a soup kitchen and homeless shelter to provide services for the needs of those people. While there, the team learned about breaking down barriers created by stereotypes and what it means to serve with open hearts. The group left March 12 and returned March 17. If you have questions or would like more information about a future project, please contact Brett McLaughlin at 316-295-5508 or brett_mclaughlin@friends.edu.

Community Service
To learn more about volunteering in the Wichita, Kansas area, click here.

Contact Us

Brett McLaughlin, Coordinator of Student Development, at 316-295-5508 or brett_mclaughlin@friends.edu

Donna Fourtner, Coordinator of Student Development, at 316-295-5224 or donna_fourtner@friends.edu

Office of Community and Residential Development
2100 W. University Ave.
Wichita, KS 67213