Please Remember Africa University in Your Will Issue: 03
Vol: 22
May - June 2017
Africa University Development Office | P O Box 340007 | Nashville, TN 37203 Tel. (615) 340-7438 | Fax. (615) 340-7290 | Email: audevoffice@gbhem.org
$1 Million Louisiana Gift for AU’s 25th Anniversary Louisiana United Methodists are celebrating the successful completion of a $1 million campaign for Africa University. A June 9th presentation at the annual conference in Shreveport marked the close of an effort that began more than 11 years ago. The final installment on the conference’s pledge, combined with interest income of $97,687.00 on previous installments, put the campaign over the top. “This is an example of what happens when you persevere,” said James H. Salley, Africa University’s chief advancement officer. Salley thanked Bishop Cynthia Harvey and the conference for remaining committed and generous in the face of numerous challenges. He highlighted the late Mrs. Nancy Carruth of Bunkie, LA and credited her leadership and friendmaking work as foundational to the Louisiana Conference’s love and ongoing, faithful support for the university.
Give Now
The conference pledged the gift in 2004, under the leadership of Bishop William H. Hutchinson. Two devastating hurr i c a n e s — Katrina and Rita—forced Louisiana Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey churches and c o m m u n i ties to shift their focus to rebuilding and recovery in 2005. Led by Bishop Cynthia Harvey, the conference reaffirmed its commitment in 2013 and outlined a plan to fulfill the pledge by 2018. Despite widespread destruction from flooding in 2016, gifts towards the pledge from the Louisiana Conference stood at $644,831 by January 2017.
Local Church Shares its Blessings A California-Nevada Conference congre- Africa University’s 25th anniversary. The gation is giving more than a tithe (tenth) other $100,000 is for mission and ministry in from the $1.5 million in proceeds received the California-Nevada Conference. The bulk of the church’s gift to Africa from the sale of property the church owned. “The gift has been received by us from the University ($87,000) is being invested in The Campaign for work of the former Africa University—a leaders, and now effort to raise $50 we’re passing million for scholarit on,” said Rev. ships, new faciliRobin Mathewsties, technology Johnson, pastor of upgrades, and acaWatsonville First demic programs. United Methodist The remaining Church (UMC). The church’s The funds came from the sale of the property of the former $13,000 will comFreedom Community Methodist Church, which was started plete the building Leadership Circle by Watsonville First UMC as a new church start in 1958 . of the sanctuary in asked Bishop Minerva Carcaño for suggestions for the the Zimunya East Circuit in Mutare District tithe and approved her prayerful sugges- (a church supported by Africa University through the office of the Chaplain). tions. -Adapted from an article by Dr. Larry Hygh, The total gift to the California-Nevada of communications for the California-Nevada Conference is $200,000, with half going to director Conference. the annual conference offering celebrating
2017 Commencement
Africa University’s 23rd Commencement, held on June 10th in Mutare, Zimbabwe, featured a graduating class of 718 young women and men, representing 23 African countries. This year’s ceremony was the first to have an alumnus as the Commencement Speaker. Health sector business executive, Washington Madziwadondo, urged the members of the class of 2017 to remember that “Africa University built you to stand tall and lead. “Today’s achievement is…about being relevant,” Madziwadondo said. “Now it is time to give back to Africa. She is waiting for you to set your mark and help make a difference.” The class included the University’s first graduate from the Sao Tome and Principe—a two-island nation off the coast of Central Africa. Abenilde Dos Santos was awarded a master’s degree in Intellectual Property. He was one of 223 professionals to be awarded graduate degrees. A total of 495 students were awarded undergraduate degree certificates.
Scholarships Change Lives Give your gift to help a student to enroll in August.
To learn more or donate, visit www.support-africauniversity.org