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 began again in March 1892, and operated until November 1893, when Mr. Harding became owner of the building and grounds. The promoters of Wichita early determined that the city should..Read More

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

So begins the incredible legacy that is the Student Body of Friends University. The university had 53 students enrolled at the beginning of the first year, and by the end of the 1898-1899 term, enrollment had grown to 102 students – 57 men and 45 women. The classes that were..Read More

Most of the first publication on athletics argued for a better athletic program at Friends. They provided some pretty convincing arguments for strongly encouraging exercise within the student body. “It is a pity that any bright, intelligent student must need to succumb to so called overstudy. A foolish pity! but..Read More

Friends University graduated its first class during Commencement Week, June 2-6. Receiving their degrees were five people, Melissa Stanley Fellow, John Howard, Cecil Howes, Herman Newman, and Lee Redding.

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

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

The art department opened in September with Miss Ruth Sturgeon instructing in crayon, watercolor, pastel, oil, china painting, and decorative work.

Under the direction of new physical director, Verne F. Swaim, Friends University added men’s soccer to the athletic roster.

The football program is resurrected! Dr. John Q Banbury assumed the role of head coach.

Construction began on Edmond Stanley gymnasium, a facility that would include a basketball court, running track, dressing rooms, locker rooms, and offices.

In the spring of 1921, the Board of Directors voted to spend $5,000 on laboratory equipment for the physics department of which Professor Samuel S. Kirby was the head.

The Quaking Quaker football team celebrated a victorious season, winning six out of eight games, with a parade downtown in front of the Broadview hotel.

The Garfield College Building, known as University Hall was renamed the Davis Administration Building after Friends University founder, James M. Davis.

Soccer and Cross Country are introduced at Friends. With encouragement from the Women’s Athletic Association, which had just made its campus debut, there was increased interest in women’s athletics. At that time, the women’s sports included hockey, basketball, tennis, swimming, baseball and track.

Higher standards set by the North Central Association of College and Secondary Schools required Friends University to have an endowment of $650,000. A fundraising campaign started in January 1927 raising only $400,000. The university was dropped from North Central’s accreditation list.

With the looming Great Depression plaguing the U.S. economy, Friends University students were also experiencing financial hardship. The number of students who held part time jobs increased. Out of 175 freshman enrolled that year, 76 had employment. Out of 98 sophomores, 58 worked. Out of 64 juniors, 39 worked. By..Read More

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

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

Still dealing with financial problems due to the Great Depression, Dr. Edwards formulated a Ten Year Program that had the goals of increasing the endowment to $1M, increase enrollment to 500 students, and improve the physical plant. Along with that, plans were made to have a Loyalty Day (October 12)..Read More

The Edmund Stanley Gymnasium was remodeled to increase seat capacity to 500. The building, started in 1918, and was put into use in 1919, though it was not completed until 1932.

September 30 marked the first Friends University radio broadcast over KFH. Occurring every Monday night at 9 p.m., Dr. Edwards spoke to Alumni and friends. Students and faculty played musical numbers as Chester Kemp, business manager of the Singing Quakers, hosted the broadcast.

Classes were suspended so that students and faculty could hear President Franklin Delano Roosevelt who was visiting Wichita.

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

Academic Dean, Walter Albert Young received news of Edwards’ passing from the Board of Directors and was asked to step in as Acting President. He was to be in that role until a president could be found. However, he was officially appointed in 1941 continued to serve as president until..Read More