Quaker College

LANE: Quaker College was a delightful surprise …

Quakers belong to the religious movements known as the Religious Society of Friends. Members usually share a belief that every person can experience the light of Christ within themselves. They avoid doctrines, creeds, and hierarchies, and some Quakers are non-theists, so beliefs can be very diverse. The movement arose in Britain in the 17^th century, stressing a personal relationship with Christ through reading and studying the Bible. They tend to follow a simple, truthful, peaceful, and sustainable lifestyle. There are many Quaker organisations devoted to peace and humanitarian causes.

There are fourteen Quaker colleges and universities in the US. The best known is probably Bryn Mawr College, a women’s liberal arts college in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. It’s an elite institution, and many famous women have attended, including Katharine Hepburn, poets Hilda Doolittle and Marianne Moore, and Korean-American pop star Michelle Zauner. I think Lane would be extremely lucky to go there, but I doubt her parents can afford it.

There isn’t anywhere called Quaker College – the closest would be Friends University in Wichita, Kansas [pictured]. It has an attractive campus, a strong track record of producing contemporary artists, and its choir travels the world. Again, it sounds like a pretty great option for study. Presumably Lane isn’t giving its name, but designating it as a Quaker-run college.