Friends University

04/21/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/21/2025 08:04

Friends University announces launch of the Center for Mission-focused Teaching & Learning

Wichita, KS- Friends University is happy to announce the launch of the Center for Mission-focused Teaching & Learning (CMFTL). This center seeks to cultivate scholarly and pedagogical excellence animated by the university's Christian mission. Its initiatives will promote excellence in teaching and scholarship, improve the student learning experience and retention, and foster an innovative, Christ-centered educational culture.

Heading the CMFTL is Dr. Lori Kanitz. Dr. Kanitz received her Bachelor of Arts in English Literature at the University of Oklahoma, her Master of Literature and Theology at Durham University in England, and her Doctorate in Literature Theology at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. She has dozens of publications, keynote presentations, conferences and community services throughout her career, many of them centering on intersections of theology, literature and culture.

The CMFTL will be responsible for academic initiatives that strengthen the university's Christian mission, such as professional development and mentoring for faculty, promoting student-faculty research and scholarship, and grant writing to expand funding for campus-wide faith and learning opportunities. Creating a center to equip faculty to think missionally about teaching and learning has long been a goal of Friends University as it seeks to graduate students who honor God and serve others by integrating their intellectual, spiritual and professional lives.

"Friends' faculty are incredibly committed to their students' success, and they are passionate about their disciplinary subjects," said Dr. Kanitz. "Having a center able to resource faculty with opportunities to grow professionally, think missionally about teaching, and better serve their students is so exciting. It speaks to Friends University's vision and commitment to long-term impact. I am incredibly honored to serve the university and my colleagues in this role!"

The center will have its official launch on April 22, 2025, with its first ever Research Symposium, starting at 1:30 p.m. in the Davis Administration Building.

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Friends University, a Christian University of Quaker heritage, equips students to honor God and serve others by integrating their intellectual, spiritual, and professional lives. Friends University offers 60+ undergraduate degree options along with adult online, graduate, and doctoral degrees. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. For more information, visit our site at https://www.friends.edu/