Spring Break
Quaker Festival explores what Quakerism means to Guilford
Jordan Alexander
Issue date: 10/3/08 Section: Features
Here on Guilford campus, ten percent of our population is comprised of Quakers. Though they may be recognized by a friendly smile or possibly a healthy beard, their traditions are even more recognizable and are the backbone of the Guilford we know and love.
Maintaining a 19-year tradition, Guilford's annual Quaker Festival kicked off the week of Sept. 22. Since the fall of 1990, Guilford students have come together in a week full of fun, education, and worship, Quaker style.
Though the activities are largely for enjoyment sake, the festival has a very important goal. It is a way of heightening awareness on campus and keeping the essence of Guilford alive.
The Quaker Festival is a great way for students to learn about Quaker heritage and the unique history that surrounds Guilford's campus. Historically, the Guilford community was a place of peace. The area where Guilford College currently stands was once part of a Quaker settlement called New Garden, which was disrupted by the battle of Guilford Courthouse during the American Revolution. The Quakers, traditionally loving all of God's people the same, cared for wounded Union and Confederate soldiers alike. They actually buried the dead opposing soldiers side by side. "You may notice we don't have any active military recruitment here on campus," said Campus Ministry Coordinator Max Carter, alluding to the impact of Guilford's peaceful history on our campus today.
Carter explained further, "We don't fly the flag prominently from a flagpole here on campus, because we are emphasizing a global community."
"There is a reason we don't have fraternities and sororities on campus, or why we don't call each other by titles, or why we have active African American studies and women's studies programs as well as Hispanics United at Guilford. It's a Quaker testament of equality," said Carter. "It's not just a wussy, 'age of Aquarius' kind of thing. It's a fundamental testimony of Quakers."
Guilford's roots are in simplicity and the belief that everyone has something to share within the community.
Maintaining a 19-year tradition, Guilford's annual Quaker Festival kicked off the week of Sept. 22. Since the fall of 1990, Guilford students have come together in a week full of fun, education, and worship, Quaker style.
Though the activities are largely for enjoyment sake, the festival has a very important goal. It is a way of heightening awareness on campus and keeping the essence of Guilford alive.
The Quaker Festival is a great way for students to learn about Quaker heritage and the unique history that surrounds Guilford's campus. Historically, the Guilford community was a place of peace. The area where Guilford College currently stands was once part of a Quaker settlement called New Garden, which was disrupted by the battle of Guilford Courthouse during the American Revolution. The Quakers, traditionally loving all of God's people the same, cared for wounded Union and Confederate soldiers alike. They actually buried the dead opposing soldiers side by side. "You may notice we don't have any active military recruitment here on campus," said Campus Ministry Coordinator Max Carter, alluding to the impact of Guilford's peaceful history on our campus today.
Carter explained further, "We don't fly the flag prominently from a flagpole here on campus, because we are emphasizing a global community."
"There is a reason we don't have fraternities and sororities on campus, or why we don't call each other by titles, or why we have active African American studies and women's studies programs as well as Hispanics United at Guilford. It's a Quaker testament of equality," said Carter. "It's not just a wussy, 'age of Aquarius' kind of thing. It's a fundamental testimony of Quakers."
Guilford's roots are in simplicity and the belief that everyone has something to share within the community.
Viewing Comments 1 - 6 of 6
john elliot
posted 10/14/08 @ 4:08 PM EST
The area where Guilford College currently stands was once part of a Quaker settlement called New Garden, which was disrupted by the battle of Guilford Courthouse during the American Revolution. (Continued…)
Wanda Purves
posted 3/05/09 @ 12:23 PM EST
Nice review! Thanks!
Dawn Redden
posted 3/09/09 @ 6:36 AM EST
Great article. I agree totally.
Penny Alverton
posted 3/11/09 @ 3:48 AM EST
I thought this debate was about them, as opposed to featuring them. Whoops.
Katrina Glover
posted 3/14/09 @ 3:22 PM EST
Good and interesting article, thanks!
Elisabeth Gerrity
posted 6/20/09 @ 3:05 PM EST
What an awesome article! You must have spent a lot of time and effort on it-needless to say, awesome job!
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