Please Remember Africa University in Your Will Issue:
01
Vol:
24
January - March
2019
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Africa University Development Office | P O Box | Nashville, TN 37203 ) | Fax. ( ) | Email:340007 audevoffice@gbhem.org Tel. (
615 340 7438
615 340 7290
U.S. Congressman Jim Clyburn Featured Speaker at AU Scholarship Gala
South Carolinians turned out to hear Congressman James E. “Jim” Clyburn speak at the rd “Evening of Elegance Scholarship3Gala and Silent Auction” for Africa University on March 9th in Sumter, SC. Clyburn, currently in his fourteenth term as a congressman, is the House Majority Whip. Clyburn focused his remarks on women’s history month, referencing fellow South Carolinian, Mary McLeod Bethune and the dream that was the basis for the founding of Bethune Cookman University (BCU). He spoke of his longstanding support of Africa University, which like BCU, also started with a dream, and urged gala attendees to invest in Africa University. The gala is a joint initiative of the
Congressman Jim Clyburn (left), with Rev. J. Elbert Williams (center), and Mr. James H. Salley.
South Carolina Ethnic Local Church Concerns (ELCC) Committee and the African American Task Force. The proceeds from the event support scholarships for students at Africa University. For task force chair Rev. J. Elbert
Celebration Dinner to Honor Bishop J. Lawrence McCleskey After more than paigns. a decade of volThe first was at Myers Park untary service to United Methodist Church in Africa University, Charlotte, NC where he was the Bishop J. Lawrence senior pastor until his election to McCleskey is stepthe episcopacy. The Myers Park ping down from the UMC gift supported construction role of executive vice of sports fields on the campus. president for develThe second campaign was in opment. the South Carolina Conference, Bishop McCleskey his first episcopal assignment. joined the Africa That campaign provided funding University Developfor the construction of the Bishop ment Office as a J. Lawrence McCleskey Faculty of Theology Building at Africa volunteer in 2008 after retiring from Bishop J. Lawrence McCleskey at University and for the Council of active service as the the dedication of the Theology Bishops’ Appeal, “Hope for the of Africa”. episcopal leader of building at AU in 2002.. Children There will be a special dinner the Western North Carolina Conference. In the role of to celebrate Bishop McCleskey’s minexecutive vice president for develop- istry impact through Africa University ment, he nurtured relationships and on March 22nd at the headquarters helped annual conferences to imple- of the Foundation for Evangelism ment highly successful campaigns for at Lake Junaluska, NC. The dinner precedes the Spring meeting of the Africa University. Before joining the development office Africa University Advisory Development staff, Bishop McCleskey included Africa Committee, scheduled for Saturday, University in two major capital cam- March 23rd at Lake Junaluska.
Williams the congressman’s involvement raised the profile of the event as well as the support for and credibility of the cause. “There are people from all denominations who have now been exposed to our cause,” said Williams. “They have caught the vision and have already acknowledged signing up to donate.” Pastor Carleathea Benson—who chairs the ELCC committee—views the initiative as connecting people to an opportunity for life-changing impact. “The benefits that come from earning a college degree are immeasurable in any country,” said Benson. “In global society, the reality of attaining a college education is a large expense. It is not one easily met without assistance.”
New Enrollment Record
In March, Africa University welcomed its second group of first year students for the current academic year. The second intake is comprised of more than 280 students, solidifying Africa University’s position as an institution of choice for African young people. This group of new students has pushed Africa University’s total enrollment to its highest level to date—2356 students. Admissions for August 2019 are underway, with the recruitment office focusing its efforts on attracting more applicants from outside Zimbabwe as well as applicants for post-graduate degree programs.