Who We Are

Quaker roots.
Open minds.

Founded in 1837, Guilford is a community built on Quaker values — integrity, equality, and a stubborn belief that every voice matters. Meet the people, the history, and the ideas that make this place itself.

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Est. 1837 · Greensboro, NC

Friends Center

Nurturing The Whole Student/Spiritual Life at Guilford

The Friends Center provides programs and support that nurture the Quaker ethos and commitments of the College by working closely with students, staff, faculty, alumni, and building partnerships in the community. Friends Center does this by supporting “the whole person” both at Guilford College and in the wider community through Quaker-inspired, as well as broader multifaith, activities that are grounded in prayer, informed by Friends’ faith and practice, nourished by worship and spiritual formation, and brought to fullness in a committed community. The Friends Center is located in the front of campus (Alumni / Worth House I) where students can engage in prayer, confer with staff, hold gatherings, and plan activities.

Getting By With the Help of Our Friends

What is Friends Center at Guilford College? Is it only for Quaker students? Of course not! It’s for everyone — just like Guilford is for all of us. Read more about this program that supports Guilfordians on campus — and beyond.

Friends Center staff standing out side; from left are Liz Nicholson, Meagan Holleman, and Wess Daniels

Quaker Leadership Scholars Program (QLSP)

Since 1992, more than 400 students have been a part of QLSP, which fosters spiritual growth, academic study, community building, and service/social justice opportunities.

QLSP is a scholarship program of around 30 students who, in community together, explore: Quaker history, testimonies, faith and practice; personal spiritual experience and growth; avenues of service and justice work; facets of leadership; building authentic community; and other hands-on experiences through which the participants prepare to be of service in the Quaker community and beyond.

For more information, contact the Director of the Quaker Leadership Scholars Program, Liz Nicholson (she/her) at 336.316.2839 or nicholsonea@guilford.edu, or visit the QLSP webpage. You can find the link to apply for the program here.

QLSP students and staff pose for a photo.

Quaker History and Roots

Learn more about Guilford’s distinctive history founded by the Religious Society of Friends in 1837.

A student holds a candle during the annual Passing of the Light. Photo by Ava Nadel.

Campus Ministry

In 1990, Friends Center began Guilford’s first Office of Campus Ministry. Since then, morning, midweek and Sunday worship have been a part of campus life.

Photo of the outside of the Friends Center.

Visit the Friends Center on Campus

Learn about the history of the Friends Center at Guilford College, meet the staff, and find out how to visit them in person.

1992

Quaker Leadership Scholars Program (QLSP) began.

8

Percentage of the Guilford College student body who are Quaker

1837

Year that Guilford College was founded by the Religious Society of Friends