Please Remember Africa University in Your Will Issue: 04
Vol; 25
August - October 2020
Give Now
Africa University Development Office | P O Box | Nashville, TN 37203 ) | Fax. ( ) | Email:340007 audevoffice@gbhem.org Tel. (
615 340 7438
Golf Tournament Receives Strong Support
615 340 7290
districts of the South The Bishop L. Jonathan Carolina Conference Holston Golf Tournament fielded teams. held at the Orangeburg The tournament was Country Club on Sept. 28, warmly embraced by the 2020 raised over $36,000 Orangeburg community, to benefit Africa University according to Orangeburg and students throughout native James H. (Jim) the African continent. Salley, Africa University’s Ninety-eight (98) golfchief advancement ers participated in the Bishop L. Jonathan Holston (left), with six-year old event, Wespath's director for institutional relationships officer and tourBill Stewart (center) and James Salley (right). nament director which was played in Robert Harper. Orangeburg for the “The funds raised are significant and second consecutive year. Wespath Institutional Investments, we hope to grow the contributions in the pensions agency of The United future years,” said Salley. “We thank Methodist Church is the tournament's all the participants, sponsors and vollead sponsor. The event enjoyed sub- unteers for supporting Africa University stantial support from local churches, and making a difference in the lives of individuals and businesses. All 12 persons around the world.”
AU Boards Meet Virtually to Address Essential Business structure as well as The directors of Africa its student-centered University's three corpoactions and retention rations gathered virtumeasures. ally from October 19-23 The university has to address essential adjusted its fees to business and chart the free up funds for institution’s course as home-based internet it adapts and serves access, increased amidst a global public counseling and menhealth crisis and resulttal health support, ing socio-economic challenges. Board members approved the university's 2020- and assisted stuIn the state of the 2021 budget, including contingency allocations dents who struggled with online university report to for evolving pandemic-related expenses. learning due to Board members, Vice Chancellor Munashe Furusa highlight- electricity, internet access and other ed enrollment growth, despite the con- challenges in returning to the campus. Currently, there are around 275 tinuation of online only instruction in August. There are 3031 students from students housed in single rooms and 28 African countries enrolled for the accessing lectures online from the 2020-2021 academic year. About 77 campus dormitories. Board members commended the percent of the students are nationals of Zimbabwe, while 23 percent are non- administration for taking bold, strategic nationals. Female students comprise decisions, including online only instruction, as the coronavirus pandemic 57.1 percent of the total enrollment. The growth in enrollment is cred- and its impact on sub-Saharan Africa ited to Africa University’s information evolve. technology and online learning infra-
Ford Appointed Director of Finance Lauranette S. Ford has joined the Africa University Development Office as Director of Finance, effective November 12, 2020. In this newly established position, Ford oversees investment, finance, accounting, compliance and policy development, human resources, and overall office management. “We warmly welcome Ms. Ford into the Africa University family,” said Vice Chancellor Munashe Furusa. “Her extensive experience and broad financial skills will help strengthen our financial policies and processes in the Africa University Development Office. Ford brings to the role vital expertise gained over more than 35 years working with business, consulting and auditing and non-profit entities including the Tennessee Valley Authority, Deliotte and the General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA) of The United Methodist Church. While performing as the internal audit manager for the GCFA from 2004-2011, Ford engaged with the university and its leadership. “Her knowledge of The United Methodist Church is a major asset that puts her ahead of the learning curve in the challenging times in which we live and work in the denomination,” said James Salley, the university's chief advancement officer. A graduate of South Carolina State University, Ford holds a B.Sc. in Business Administration with a major in Accounting. She is a Certified Internal Auditor, Fraud Examiner, Risk Management Assurance Professional, and Project Management Professional.
