Please Remember Africa University in Your Will Issue: 01 Vol: 20
January - February 2015
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Africa University Development Office | P O Box 340007 | Nashville, TN 37203 Tel. (615) 340-7438 | Fax. (615) 340-7290 | Email: audevoffice@gbhem.org
Vice Chancellor’s Inauguration set for March 2015 Africa University is marking a new era in its history with the inauguration of its fourth Vice Chancellor. The installation of Professor Munashe Furusa will take place on Saturday, March 21, 2015. “This inauguration is significant,” said Prof. Pamela Machakanja, the director of the Institute of Peace, Leadership and Governance, and the individual who is overseeing the preparations in Mutare, Zimbabwe. “It is not only a reminder of our humble beginnings, a reflection of how far we have travelled, but also it is the map that will continue to guide us and our dreams,” Machakanja said. AU is already engaged in a robust review of its academic programs to assess their relevance and quality vis-à-vis global trends in higher education. The reorientation of priorities touches on research, learning technologies, distance education, alumni services, resource mobilization, and quality assurance.
For Bishop David Yemba, the chancellor and chairman of the AU Board of Directors, the occasion offers “the possibility for the people of goodwill from Africa and abroad to invest in Africa’s future, an opportunity to hear and see, to engage or re-engage, to participate in Africa’s renaisProf. Munashe Furusa, (left), and Bishop David K. Yemba, (right). sance through this educational enterprise.” The inaugural program is being Yemba hopes that many longshaped by a desire to not only celebrate, but also to “engage in deep standing and new friends of the unireflection of the next stage in the life of versity will attend and celebrate the inauguration with the students, staff, the university,” Machakanja said. The schedule of inauguration day faculty, and board members. Those who can’t make it to Mutare activities—a public lecture series, symposium, showcase of alumni con- are invited to honor the inauguratributions and cultural gala—is com- tion with a gift and to remember this ing together around the theme of important and special celebration in “Enhancing Africa’s Renewal their prayers. through Student Success”.
Campus Visit Exceeds Expectations Ask the members objective for the trip of Holman United was to build faith, Methodist Church broaden horizons, about their December and invite congre2014 trip to the AU gants to ‘be hope’ campus, and you’ll wherever they find notice their excitement themselves. right away. “We could see “The visit to AU really how AU is building exceeded any expectathese young peotions that I may have ple’s faith in God, in had,” said Mrs. Wilma Holman UMC delegation members, Dr. Edward themselves, and in Pinder, a retired lawyer the continent,” said and Mrs. Sandrel Terry, with AU students. and former college lecSauls. “So many of turer. Now Mrs. Pinder and her husband, them come from challenging situations Dr. Frank E. Pinder III, a psychiatrist, are that have likely shaken their faith in govtalking about going back as short term vis- ernments and institutions. Yet, there is a iting professors. sense of hope the students have…a conA 24-person delegation made the viction that if you dream it, you can work, trip to Mutare, Zimbabwe. Led by Rev. persevere, and achieve it.” Kelvin Sauls, the senior pastor of the Los Wilma Pinder echoed this view. “We will Angeles-based congregation, and Rev. see every dollar we invest in AU multiplied Judi Wortham-Sauls, the group included a thousand times in terms of the returns,” many persons who have been investing she said. in AU for a very long time. The pastors’
ELMA Foundation
Challenge Grant Extended
Were you born in Africa? Do you work for an African company or organization? Here is your opportunity to give to AU and double your impact! To donate or for more info, visit support-africauniversity.org
Life Insurance: The Hidden Asset Compliments of the New Year! As we begin 2015 with much anticipation and excitement, what better time to review our estate plans to make certain that all is in order. Most of us acquire life insurance to help to fund a personal need in case we don’t live as long as we hoped. Fortunately, many of us outlive our worst case scenario. The typical result is that our insurance policy is in force, paid regularly (maybe even paid up), and growing in value. In the meanwhile, perhaps other assets grow to the point where the protection we sought through life insurance isn’t as important.
Cheryl L. Walker has discovered the “hidden asset” of a life insurance policy.
The insurance policy becomes a “hidden asset” evidenced only by a file that we add
Celebrating a Lifetime of Meaningful Service As they celebrate Africa University’s misthe start of their sion. 90s, one thing is The couple led two clear—Richard and United Methodist LaRayne Wahlstrom Volunteers in Mission are just as passion(UMVIM) teams to the ate about Africa university campus in University in 2015 Mutare, Zimbabwe, as they were when where the members Mrs. Wahlstrom worked on building first joined the AU Dr. Richard and Mrs. LaRayne Wahlstrom projects. of Brookings, South Dakota. Advisory Development Inspired by the students Committee in 1992. they met, the Wahlstroms worked with their “We are so grateful for the opportunity teams and others to provide crucial direct we had to serve for 22 years in the devel- scholarship gifts to help struggling students. opment of Africa University,” wrote Mrs. In 2006, the Wahlstroms established an Wahlstrom, in the couple’s 2014 Christmas endowed scholarship fund with the support letter. of their church, Brookings First UMC. Dedicated to the mission and outreach “What a joy to assist in building two facwork of the church, the Wahlstroms helped ulty homes and providing scholarships for many people to fall in love with and share in the African students,” said Mrs. Wahlstrom.
to only when the annual statement arrives. Is there a better use for an insurance policy that you no longer require? Consider makeing a gift of the policy to Africa University to create a future endowment named for you or a loved one. For more information about how life insurance may create an important planned gift, please visit the planned giving website at www.africau.plannedgiving.org/ or call or write Elaine Jenkins, our director of planned giving, at the Africa University Development Office, P. O. Box 340007, Nashville, TN, 372030007, 615/340-7428 (telephone), 615/3407290 (fax), ejenkins@gbhem.org (e-mail address).
YOU’RE GOING TO LOVE IT. Really. You are!
New AU Development Office website: Everything you need, and more. Visit now.
support-africauniversity.org
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