Spring 2012
In this issue:
Desert Southwest Endows Health Sciences Chair at AU Ngoni Dapira God inspires the big dreams within us and makes them come true, and that is what I see in the dream of Africa University, says Bishop Minerva Carcaño.
Bishop Ernest Lyght, AU Development Committee Chair, Retires Andra Stevens Bishop Lyght expresses “joy” in sharing in AU’s ministry.
Congolese Graduate Hugo Ngwira Thankful for AU Opportunity
Philip Brooks Scholarship support from Highland Park UMC creates a bright future for Hugo Ngwira.
AU, McDaniel College Forge Partnership
Carrie Madren Two schools with historically Methodist ties exchange students and faculty while working on joint curriculum for distance learning.
Tennessee Congregation ‘Adopts’ AU Student
Philip Brooks Clare Katiyo of Zimbabwe studies health services management thanks to local church’s full scholarship.
A Legacy of Giving, Caring and Educating Elaine Jenkins Bill and Connie Disney Endowed Scholarship pays off in changed lives.
ative power of education led Connie and Bill to become very early supporters of Africa University. After the death of the couple’s son Michael in 2002, followed by Bill’s death in 2007, and the death of her mother in 2008, Connie decided that she would establish an endowed scholarship in the Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Africa University in memory of her loved ones. “I am excited that Africa University is an international institution, drawing students from 23 of the 55 nations of Africa this current academic year,” Connie exclaimed. For Connie, one of the great joys of establishing an endowed scholarship during her lifetime is learning about the scholarship recipients and following their progress. “I know that my husband would be so excited to learn of the students who benefit from our scholarship,” she said. Connie’s dream is to visit Africa University. We certainly pray that she will have an opportunity to do so during the yearlong 20th anniversary celebrations. David Makobo, 2010 FANR graduate
Although Connie Ellen Phillips Disney grew up in the Baptist Church, she descends from a long line of Methodists on both sides of her family. Her paternal great-grandfather, Godfrey Phillips, was a Methodist preacher in southern Illinois. His diaries and journals documenting his ministry as a circuit rider during the years 1862-1864 and 19001912 are still maintained by the Phillips family. Her mother’s family were also Methodists. However, when Connie’s maternal grandmother died during her mother’s childhood, her maternal greatgrandmother, a staunch Baptist, assumed responsibility for the religious education of her grandchildren. Connie met her husband, Bill, when both were students at Southern Illinois University. They married in
1960 when he was in his final year of graduate school, and she was in her sophomore year. Bill earned his master’s degree in education in 1961, and Connie earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education in 1963 and 1972, respectively. Connie became a member of Grace United Methodist Church of Pekin, Ill., in 1970. Bill joined her shortly thereafter. The couple’s three children, Michael (now deceased), Brian, and Jo Ellen, grew up in the church. Bill and Connie were the first generation in their families to attend college. Bill was a high school guidance counselor for thirty-one years before retiring in 1992. Connie is a retired elementary school teacher, having taught for more than thirty years. Connie fondly recalls that her parents were very much involved with outreach ministries in the Baptist Church. Because they were farmers, they gave generously to mission projects that helped people in other countries improve their farming practices and food production. Her parents’ example of selfless giving and her understanding of the transform-
—Elaine Jenkins, AU Development Office
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A Legacy of Giving, Caring and Educating
Celebrating the Connection between Africa University and United Methodist Congregations 100 Percent Support Thank you for supporting Africa University through your 100 percent remittance of the Africa University Fund apportionment in 2011. Jurisdiction Total Support and Annual Conferences with 100 percent or more in 2011 (includes 2010 performance)
102% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 118.36% 102.86% 99.29% 100% 100% 100% 100% 151.51% 110.50%
2010 North Central Jurisdiction Dakotas East Ohio Illinois Great Rivers Iowa Minnesota Northern Illinois West Michigan West Ohio Wisconsin
100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 133% 112.46% 110.34% 100%
2011
Northeastern Jurisdiction Baltimore-Washington Greater New Jersey New England New York Susquehanna Peninsula-Delaware Upper New York West Virginia Western Pennsylvania
100% 100% 100% 100% 99% 100% 100% 113.58% 114% 100.06% 110.87%
South Central Jurisdiction Central Texas 100% Louisiana 100.01% 100.04% North Texas 100.50% 100% Oklahoma Indian Missionary 100.05% 100% Southeastern Jurisdiction Florida Holston Kentucky North Carolina North Georgia Red Bird Missionary
100.02% 100%
100%
Western Jurisdiction Alaska United Methodist Desert Southwest
As Africa University celebrates 20 years of realized dreams, we look forward to your full support in 2012.
• Africa University is located in Old Mutare, Zimbabwe, and is the first fully accredited United Methodist–related educational institution on the African continent, established by action of the General Conference. • Africa University offers bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in six faculties of learning: agriculture and natural resources, education, health sciences, humanities and social sciences, management and administration and theology. The Institute of Peace, Leadership and Governance offers postgraduate diplomas and master’s programs.
Africa University
Spring 2012
—Ngoni Dapira is the acting director for information and public affairs at Africa University
United Methodist ministry. He also highlighted the economic difficulties that communities in the United States were facing in 2007, when the conference launched its endowment campaign for Africa University. “I knew the funding of this endowment was not going to be easy,” said Huffman. “But the churches of the small-but-mighty Desert Southwest Annual Conference are very generous, and here we are today.” During the campus visit, Carcaño preached, reminding the community of God’s faithfulness throughout Africa University’s 20 years of ministry. Members of the Desert Southwest delegation also took on service projects and worked alongside United Methodists from the local community, and students and staff at the Old Mutare Mission Center. The Faculty of Health Sciences at Africa University was established in 2004 to respond to the critical health needs of the African continent through teaching and research. The faculty currently offers programs in public health, nursing and health services management.
Desert Southwest Endows Health Sciences Chair at AU
Tagwira, this new academic chair equips the Faculty of Health Sciences with additional resources to carry out crucial, long-term research. These projects are likely to include work on cancer, nutrition, high maternal and infant mortality rates, the increasing prevalence of heart disease and diabetes and the impact of malaria and HIV/AIDS. Funding from the Huffman Chair will allow the university to bring in leading academics to lecture and supervise students. “Endowments are vital for our university, especially in the area of human resources development, where significant funding is needed to attract and retain faculty,” said Tagwira. “We are very grateful to the Desert Southwest Conference for this endowment.” Speaking at the dedication ceremony on Feb. 22, 2012, Huffman described Africa University as the “flagship” of
Bishop Minerva Carcaño presents the cross as a gift to Africa University staff.
Ngoni Dapira Health sector research and training at Africa University are set to expand with funding from a newly endowed chair set up by The United Methodist Church’s Desert Southwest Annual (regional) Conference. Named in honor of its first treasurer and administrator, Joel Huffman, the conference raised $500,000 to fund the chair in health sciences. It was formally dedicated in February during a visit to the Africa University campus by Bishop Minerva Carcaño and a 40-person delegation from the conference. “God inspires the big dreams within us and makes them come true, and that is what I see in the dream of Africa University,” said Bishop Carcaño. “It is always a joy to work with Africa University.” For the vice chancellor of Africa University, Fanuel