Please Remember Africa University in Your Will Issue: 03 Vol: 20
July - August 2015
Give Now
Africa University Development Office | P O Box 340007 | Nashville, TN 37203 | Tel. (615) 340-7438 | Fax. (615) 340-7290 | Email: audevoffice@gbhem.org
AU Choir Tour Yields Excitement and Support It was a whirlwind 37 days for the Africa University Choir as members worshipped and performed in more than 50 venues across the Mississippi and South Carolina conferences. Fifteen students from six African countries shared their stories, expressed their gratitude for the ongoing United Methodist Church support, and gave audiences a taste of the music, praise and worship traditions of sub-Saharan Africa. CChoir members sang to heal, console in SC In Mississippi, the tour helped to increase awareness of the confer- was a joy and inspiration for the ence’s campaign to endow 10 schol- thousands who heard and worshiped arships at Africa University at a cost with them all across the Mississippi $1.3 million. By June 4, when the Conference,” said Rev. Jimmy L. Carr choir gave its closing performance, and Ms. Martha Scarborough, who Mississippi United Methodists had are co-chairing the campaign. “They committed more than $586,000 to brought excitement and commitment to our Mississippi-Africa University the campaign. “Having the Africa University Choir Partnership. Their leadership brought
us to the half way point in our 1.3 million dollar goal.” In South Carolina, choir members crisscrossed the state. They ended their visit in North Charleston on June 22. “The AU Choir came to us at a unique moment in South Carolina…Your (students) blessed us beyond measure,” said Rev. Robert Howell, senior pastor of Bethany United Methodist Church in Summerville. Eight congregations in the North Charleston area gathered on June 21 for the choir’s final performance. South Carolina Bishop L. Jonathan Holston attended and affirmed the choir for its ministry. “The choir’s presence in the Palmetto State will always be remembered,” said Holston. “The AU Choir shared its ministry of song to a broken and hurting community with the love of Christ. We are grateful for their presence in a time of hope and reconciliation.”
Record Numbers for the Class of 2015
Meera Buck dies at 67
On June 13, Africa University awarded degrees to 694 students from 17 African countries. This group was the largest graduating class in the institution’s 23-year history. It included Malaika Mwepu Lunda, a young woman from the Democratic Republic of Congo who earned a degree in education. She was the beneficiary of an endowed scholarship from the Indiana Conference. “I am proud to be a teacher,” said Lunda. “I want to be of great impact in the reform of our educational system.” A female student from Zimbabwe, Tariro Mubvumbi, took top honors and numerous prizes this year. She was the best overall student in the graduating class, best student in humanities and social sciences, and the student with highest cumulative GPA, 3.91. About a third of the graduates in the Class of 2015 completed their degrees through the university’s distance learning programs. The majority of this year’s graduates
Zimbabwean graduate, Nicola Matanga, is congratulated by the Commencement Speaker, Mrs. Chipo Mtasa, for her outstanding academic performance.
trained for careers in business, public administration, and the humanities and social sciences. However, agriculture and natural resources management, health sciences, education, and theology are continuing to provide a solid number of graduates.
The Africa University community notes with deep sadness the death of Dr. Meera Buck on June 15, 2015. Buck was a highly respected consumer research consultant who made important contributions to The United Methodist Church through her work. In 2010, Buck produced a pivotal study for Africa University that assessed the general awareness and knowledge of the institution and identified strategies for increasing support and making advocates for the university. Buck’s work led to a rebranding of Africa University and is the basis for ongoing marketing and communications efforts focusing on the institution’s value and global impact. Meera Buck was laid to rest on June 29, following a celebration of life service at Memorial Drive United Methodist Church in Houston, TX.