The idea of attending a faith-based college didn’t sit well with Julia Spoor ’25. Raised in a secular family in greater Philadelphia, she was unsure what to expect when she chose to attend Quaker-affiliated Guilford.

“It sounds silly now, but I thought maybe I’d be indoctrinated, or I worried about not fitting in with a heavily religious community,” Julia says. “That was not part of who I am.”

She smiles now, remembering her anxious days leading up to her arrival at Guilford — because, well, she’s come so far. Certainly in her education — Julia graduated this spring with a degree in Education Studies — but also in her love for a school that doubled as a home. “I can’t think of a better place to go to college than Guilford,” says Julia.

Julia didn’t want to attend a large university. “It felt too easy to get lost in the crowd,” she says. “Making connections would have been hard. Almost from the start I felt a sense of belonging at Guilford.”

Community isn’t just an afterthought here – it’s the heart of student life. With a tight-knit student body, friendships form naturally through small classes, shared academic discussions, and a vibrant campus culture with more than 30 student-run clubs.

Julia says Guilfordians don’t just attend college together – they build lifelong friendships. She found that out during her first week on campus, when she attended the annual Passing of the Light ceremony.

The event, typically held in front of Founders Hall, welcomes students into Guilford's living, historic community and invites them to engage with the world in a new, intentional way.

Julia was deeply moved. “I saw all these people on the quad holding candles and sharing in the light — and that was really beautiful,” she says. “There was nothing overtly religious about the night, but it really set the tone for me and the next four years.”

“I quickly became really interested in Quakerism, more from an anthropological perspective,” she adds. “I wanted to understand what it was all about. I wouldn’t say I practice Quakerism, but I’ve learned a lot, and I apply many of its tenets in my own life. “The community that Quakerism fosters is really hard to beat.”

“I’ve grown so much since I’ve been here,” she says. “I have a much better idea of who I am and what my identity is than I did my freshman year. I’ve definitely made some of my best friends for life here.”

Want to learn more about a College that can have the same impact on you? Contact Steve Mencarini or another member of the Admission team to learn more about Guilford.