Harold C. Cope, former vice president for business affairs at Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana, was elected as the ninth president. His inauguration was held on February 6, 1973.

After the Kansas Yearly Meeting chose the board of directors for Friends University, their first responsibility was to name a president. They selected Edmund Stanley, an educator, who was to lead the school for 20 years. President Stanley’s courage in accepting the difficult task showed what a man he was..Read More

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

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

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

President Mendenhall accepted the presidency of Whittier College in California, leaving Friends University after 16 years. Students and faculty were devastated by the news. The Alumni Association hosted a farewell dinner honoring the Mendenhalls. During the event, they presented Dr. Mendenhall with a book of letters from hundreds of alumni..Read More

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.

On August 19, 1939, President Edwards died in an automobile accident near Danville, Illinois.  He was described by his zeal for Christian Education, his idealism, and his outstanding passion. His wife Elizabeth and daughter Phyllis were both seriously injured. Both survived and Phyllis returned to Friends, graduating in 1942, the..Read More

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