The organization, made up of 13 colleges and institutions, aims to strengthen the Quaker mission in higher education by providing supportive relationships and opportunities for fellowship among all who share Quaker ideals of higher education.

“Such is the nature of Guilford’s Quaker heritage: Valuing equality inspires and fuels collaboration that is richer, deeper, and wider than at a typical college,” says Kyle Dell, Associate Professor of Political Science and Associate Academic Dean.

Featured in the latest volume of Quakers, Creation Care, and Sustainability are Associate Professor of Physics Donald Smith, Professor of Chemistry Gail Webster, Charles A. Dana Professor of English Jim Hood, Kyle Dell, and Charles A. Dana Professor of Geology and Sustainable Food Systems Marlene McCauley. The ongoing book series, currently in its sixth volume, integrates Quaker traditions and interdisciplinary topics to provide examples of scholarship on a common theme.

Many faculty members were inspired by the new Guilford Edge curriculum, which encourages cross-disciplinary classes and opens the door for faculty to create more collaborative learning environments. Gail, Kyle, and Marlene have been working across disciplines for several years to create the College’s Sustainable Food Systems major, reflected in their included article.

“The Sustainable Food Systems major fits with the Quaker ethos. The unique identity of Guilford College as a values-based educational institution with a strong commitment to sustainability makes the development of the major an important story to tell,” Gail says.

The book’s subjects range from sustainability to politics and from literature to physics — all with a unique Quaker perspective. Jim connects past to present in his piece, exploring connections between his own teaching and 19th-century Quakers’ fervent promotion of natural history study. While Don shares a fresh perspective on nuclear sources of electrical power and how many people, Quakers included, overestimate the risks of nuclear power while underestimating the risks of the current system. 

“I wanted to share what I’ve learned about energy from a life of teaching and studying physics, as seen through the lens of my Quaker faith, to write what I hope is an article that will make people challenge their assumptions,” says Don on why he felt compelled to share his research.

Faculty agree that it’s an honor to have the works of so many of them published together in a Quaker composition. “It’s a testament to the dedication of the faculty at Guilford College to issues that are central to the care of our environment and of each other,” Gail says.

Schedule a personalized visit today to learn more about Guilford’s interdisciplinary, collaborative learning environment.