Guilford College, founded in 1837 by members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), is an independent college whose mission centers on a commitment to the liberal arts; its academic reputation; social responsibility; principled problem solving; and core values of community, diversity, equality, excellence, integrity, justice and stewardship. The small college focuses on teaching, interdisciplinary curriculum, service learning, and a student-centered approach to prepare students to live fulfilling lives. Mission. Guilford’s purpose, as stated in its mission statement, is to provide a transformative, practical and excellent liberal arts education that produces critical thinkers in an inclusive, diverse environment, guided by Quaker testimonies of community, equality, integrity, peace and simplicity and emphasizing the creative problem-solving skills, experience, enthusiasm and international perspectives necessary to promote positive change in the world. Toward those ends, the college states that it strives to provide: Principled Problem Solving.