Friends University
Christian-based learning thrives at Friends University, located just west of downtown Wichita. This non-denominational private college was founded in 1898. Though the first semester only saw 52 students, enrollment grew by nearly 50 percent by the end of the first year. Today, the college is home to more than 2,000 students and continues to grow. Friends University has four campus options in Wichita, Lenexa, Topeka and online.
Prospective Students
So you want to be a Falcon? With Quaker values and encouraging curriculum, Friends University pushes students to reach their maximum potential through dozens of degree options. From healthcare, leadership and education to science, theatre and dance, Friends University advisors guide students on their journey to their ideal career.
Student Life
Even though college means studying and homework, Friends University encourages students to get out, socialize and give back to the community through campus ministries, student organizations and club sports. The college offers opportunities for students beyond the classroom, including more than 30 organizations, fraternities and sororities focused on an individual’s interest. Connect with other students through sports, fine arts or societal ministries, or find new interests through campus traditions.
Campus Traditions
School spirit is never in short supply at Friends University. There are several school traditions celebrated annually, bringing high energy and reverence for the university’s unique history.
- Cherry Carnival - This tradition began in 1929 and has grown into a week-long winter celebration. With a dance, chili cook-off, movie night, obstacle course, water gun fight and scavenger hunt, the Cherry Carnival brings together students from all walks of life.
- WALKOUT! - Bring your pots and pans and prepare to get noisy as you celebrate a championship win. Students bang and cheer right outside the president’s office before asking for a WALKOUT! If the president agrees, classes are cancelled for one day. Students have been participating in this tradition since the 1950s and so far, all presidents have obliged.
- Banana Bandits - Friday mornings on campus mean a healthy start to a student’s day, if that student is lucky enough to find the hidden breakfast. The newest tradition started in 2012 and has become a weekly hunt for fruit. The “Banana Bandits” spending Thursday night buying and hiding snacks around campus for people to find the next morning.
- Homecoming - Nobody celebrates Homecoming the way the Falcons do. This campus and community mega-event includes a parade, block party, food, music, drama, coronations and of course, football.
- Tree Lighting Ceremony - You know Christmas is right around the corner with the annual tree lighting ceremony at Friends University. An on-campus group known as the “Singing Quakers” serenade the crowd before a dramatic performance captures the audience. There is also a reading of the classic Christmas story.
- Salvation Army Service Day - A big part of Friends University is community involvement and giving back to locals through service acts. Every year, students and staff members volunteer with the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Project to pick up donations, sort gifts, assemble bicycles and decorate the facility for families.
- Week of Welcome - The start to the fall and spring semesters bring a week of welcome to the Friends University campus. With food, fun, activities and resources, staff makes sure all students are set for their semesters.
Freddy Falcon
Friends University is part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and competes in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC). For the longest time, the school’s mascot was the Fighting Quakers, but in 1960, students showed interested in developing a new mascot. Freddy Falcon was soon after introduced as the new symbol of the school.
Learn more about Friends University and how to enroll here.
