AU Today: Fall 2014

Accountability and student quality of life are top priorities for new VC

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100% SUPPORT

made through their churches and conferences,” said Furusa. Highlighting the university’s excellent academic programs and its global network of friends and supporters as major assets, Furusa acknowledges, “Individuals have sacrificed their family resources. ey deserve that we are accountable and transparent in the way that we use those resources.”

At the September meeting of the Africa University Advisory Development Committee, Furusa outlined a plan and process to look at the allocation of resources and evaluation of how various academic programs and units are performing.

Furusa noted that the university must become more client-friendly and studentcentered so that the learning and living environment nurtures and develops the whole person. “Africa University is a special place. …

First, Africa happens at Africa University every day. And secondly, Africa University has a lot of love that has been poured into it. You just feel it

Fall 2014

r. Munashe Furusa, Africa University’s fourth vice chancellor, describes his first 90 days with the institution as intense, energizing and inspiring. Furusa began his tenure on July 1 and immediately engaged key stakeholders to hear their take on the university’s assets, challenges and opportunities for continued growth and impact. He visited academic and support units, met with students, and listened to alumni as well as business and civic leaders.

“I have really been impressed by the commitment and dedication of our faculty and staff,” said Furusa. “ey are really dedicated to their work.” Having met with the student leaders, Furusa has heard clearly three top priorities—accommodations, sporting facilities and a student union.

Furusa has placed accountability, operational efficiency and improvements to the quality of life for students at the top of his agenda.

“I have learned with great humility and appreciation the contributions that people have

Dr. Munashe Furusa, Africa University, vice chancellor

and sense it as you walk the corridors, as you talk to people, as you look at the beautiful buildings that have been put up there. … So I just want to say I’m very grateful. … And I fully believe Africa University is going to be a premier university.”

Heather Hahn of United Methodist News Service contributed to this article.

CELEBRATING THE CONNECTION BETWEEN AFRICA UNIVERSITY AND UNITED METHODIST CONGREGATIONS

Thank you for supporting Africa University through your 100 percent remittance of the Africa University Fund apportionment in 2013. Listing of Annual Conferences with 100 percent or more in 2013 (with 2012 performance for comparison): North Central Jurisdiction East Ohio Illinois Great Rivers Iowa Minnesota West Michigan West Ohio Wisconsin

2013 100% 100% 106.05% 100% 100% 100% 131.68%

2012 100% 100% 100.57% 100% 100% 100% 169.31%

Southeastern Jurisdiction Florida Holston North Carolina Red Bird Missionary South Carolina Tennessee

2013 100% 100% 100% 100% 100.39% 121.89%

2012 100% 100% 100% 100%

2012

Western Jurisdiction Alaska United Methodist Desert Southwest

2013 100% 100%

2012 100% 100%

100% 100%

As Africa University celebrates 22 years of realized dreams, we look forward to your full support in 2014 and 2015.

Northeastern Jurisdiction Baltimore-Washington Greater New Jersey New England New York Peninsula-Delaware Upper New York West Virginia Western Pennsylvania

2013 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

2012 100% 104.69% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

South Central Jurisdiction Central Texas Nebraska Oklahoma Indian Missionary Southwest Texas

2013 100% 99.82% 100% 100%

100%

Africa University Today — Fall 2014

Africa University visit spurs generosity

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fter a team from the Florida Annual Conference visited Africa University in Mutare, Zimbabwe in February, their excitement and passion inspired conference church members and clergy to donate $57,000 to the United Methodist school through a Bishop’s Offering. e offering supports AU scholarships in the Faculty of eology and the Institute of Peace, Leadership and Governance.

“I had known of the mission of Africa University for a number of years,” said Bishop Kenneth H. Carter of the Florida Episcopal Area, “as a member of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry and as a pastor whose congregation (Providence United Methodist, Charlotte, N.C.) had hosted the choir and had a passion for the school. But it was an altogether different experience to walk the campus, share meals with students, sit in classrooms and worship with the community. e strength and vision of the school is inspiring to me.”

“Our team sat in a seminar with students and faculty of the Institute of Peace, Leadership and Governance,” Carter said. “We listened as students from a vast diversity of countries shared what they were learning about the values of Christianity in the midst of conflict and warfare.”

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‘Powerful and gifted witnesses’ AU students embrace the university’s mission of research and outreach to position itself as “a central player in the strategy to achieve a peaceful and prosperous African society.”

“We came away with a sense of gratitude for these future leaders across a very rich and diverse African continent,” said Carter about those who will work for social and economic transformation.

Conversations between delegation members and AU students with very different life experiences revealed mutual visions of Christcentered ministry. Citing Acts 1:8 (NRSV), “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you,” Carter sees the Holy Spirit empowering the students to become witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth. “We are coming to understand that the U.S. is not Jerusalem. e mission of God is truly from everywhere to everywhere.”

odest resources really do multiply when placed in God’s hands. Recently, Mackenzie Carlson (center), a high school senior who visited the AU campus last year, secured a gift of $286.76 for the AU Farm. e gift came from a love offering for young people who served as Pages at the 2014 Iowa Annual Conference. e gift funded irrigation for a new field so that AU can grow more wheat and increase summer crop yields.

"We came away with a sense of gratitude for these future leaders across a very rich and diverse African continent" — Bishop Kenneth H. Carter

Carter said the offering reflected gratitude “to God for the history, mission and vitality of Africa University,” and for the “journey in support of future students in the Faculty of eology and the Institute of Peace, Leadership and Governance.”

Almost 500 students graduated from Africa University this summer, dispersing across the continent and called to God’s work for peace with justice.

Kelly C. Martini is a freelance writer based in Glen Mills, Pa.

How You Can Help

ocated at Old Mutare, Zimbabwe, Africa University is the first fully accredited United Methodistrelated educational institution in Africa, established by action of the General Conference. The university offers bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in six faculties of learning: agriculture and natural resources, education, health sciences, humanities and social sciences, management and administration, and theology. The Institute of Peace, Leadership and Governance offers post-graduate diplomas and master’s programs.

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Africa University continues to be the evidence of faith, hope and belief in the visions of dreamers. We are counting on you! Encourage your church to set a 100 percent apportionment remittance goal. Sending a Continued next page.

How you can help... continued.

AU graduate receives ‘peacemaker’ honor

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hen Lucien Kavul was a boy, family friends predicted he would be like Joseph in the Bible, “helping the nations” or making “peace in this world.” is spring, his country—the Democratic Republic of the Congo— awarded him and three others the title of Peace Ambassador, an honorable recognition of individuals who forgo their own aspirations in a quest for peace.

“Being an ambassador,” he says, “does not consider a person’s social status or having a lot of money or maybe being more popular. It is all about one’s actions, passion, calling, inspiration, good behavior toward others.”

Kavul credits his success to others, especially those who helped fund his studies in humanities and social sciences, some who didn’t even know him; a scholarship from the non-governmental organization, United Movement to End Child Soldiering; and the chidren in the orphanage in Old Mutare, Zimbabwe, where he spent most of his university weekends.

Striving to change the world Kavul graduated from AU with a broader understanding of globalism, cultures and issues, believing that through spirituality and God-

centered living, a person can change the world.

Kavul found his ministry back home in Lubumbashi, the secondlargest city in the DRC with seemingly infinite challenges—an unemployment rate of 70 percent, lack of school fees and limited electricity, where access to clean water “is another disaster.”

His peace-making efforts started in Likasi with people living with disabilities. From there, he purchased land in Lubumbashi in order to provide fresh drinking water to people. He raised funds for a health center to help older adults with medical issues; clients pay about half the usual fees for services. His next venture—an orphanage—is becoming reality even without official funding for the project. All of this work Kavul does anonymously.

His spouse, he says, has been the other key to success. “I am so grateful to my wife, Dr. Nadine Tambwe Mauwa, for her support in everything I do.” With finite resources and prayers to God for strength, Kavul believes they can finish projects and change struggling communities forever. “e Bible says that more people were called, and [only a] few responded. Everyone is called to help people in need,” he says.

Kelly C. Martini

E-readers: Excitement for expanding education

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hen Demetrio Beach visited Africa University in March 2014 for the first joint board meeting of Africa University and the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, he didn’t want to go home. e campus energy and the excitement of higher education bonded him to the school. e theme of the meeting was “Seeing Is Believing.”

But Beach did return home with a new understanding of the many challenges the students face. He attended an educational session on E-readers for eological Education, a joint program of the boards of Higher Education and Ministry and Discipleship and

was inspired to purchase e-readers for AU theological students.

“Technology,” he says, “or lack of it, can exacerbate stress. Libraries have computers, but demand may limit students to one hour.

Computer viruses can be a taxing concern.”

Recalling the dedication for e Ubuntu Center by the West Michigan Annual Conference, Beach remains inspired by the words, “when we educate students at Africa University, we educate Africa.”

portion of your goal each month makes it easier to reach full remittance by year’s end. Your church’s 100 percent apportionment remittance means 100 percent support of Africa University’s operational budget, for costs such as utilities, equipment and faculty salaries.

Consider these additional ways of helping the university educate new leaders for the nations of Africa: Planned Gifts are the foundation for the long-term survival of Africa University. As you make your estate plans, consider leaving a gift or bequest to Africa University in your will. If you have already included the university in your estate plans, please let us know so we may welcome you to the Richard E. “Dick” Reeves Legacy Society.

Usahwira—This word in the Shona language means “a beautiful friendship.” Encourage your local church to become a partner with Africa University by supporting one student at the university for four years. The annual cost of supporting one undergraduate student is just under $6,000. Local churches may provide full or partial scholarships.

Endowment Fund—Give to the Africa University Endowment Fund (World Service Special Gift #03-0188). The interest income from the endowment provides scholarships for our students.

For more information about giving opportunities or to make a gift, visit us at support-africauniversity.org.

To learn about Africa University and its impact, visit africau.edu.

Let’s work together to continue the transformation of lives and of Africa. To order resources to help tell the story of the Africa University Fund apportionment, visit umcgiving.org or infoserv.um.org.

Or, call United Methodist Communications, toll-free (888) 346-3862, during normal business hours.

Available resources include: • Africa University: A Place of Peace, Learning and Hope DVD (600115) • Africa University Fund: Pieces of the Dream DVD (600512) • We are Africa University (600611) Africa University Development Office P.O. Box 340007 Nashville, TN 37203-0007 (615) 340-7438 audevoffice@gbhem.org www.support-africauniversity.org

General Board of Higher Education and Ministry Africa University Development Office e United Methodist Church P.O. Box 340007 Nashville, TN 37203-0007

Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID Nashville, Tenn.

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Africa University Today — Fall 2014

The Girl Who Smiles

e Rev. Dr. Chomingwen D. Pond of Minocqua, Wis.

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lthough her first name is Ojibwe, meaning “the girl who smiles,” the Rev. Dr. Chomingwen D. Pond is of English and Norwegian descent. Her father, a field archeologist, was fond of Native American names and thought Ojibwe well-suited his only daughter.

Pond was born in Madison, Wis. As a child she traveled often with her parents, even

accompanying them on two archaeological expeditions to Algeria. Travel in the early years of her life instilled in her a curiosity about the world and led her to distant lands in her adult years.

She earned her B.S. degree in geology from Beloit College (Wis.) in 1950. Her interest in religion led her to pursue a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Garrett Biblical Institute in 1961, and later a Ph.D. in religion from Claremont Graduate School in 1987.

In 1964, Pond was the first woman to be ordained in full connection with Elder’s Orders in the Wisconsin Episcopal Area. She served inner city and small membership churches for 15 years, and also taught at Payne eological Seminary in Ohio. Later, she became a missionary with the General Board of Global Ministries and served in Sierra Leone and at Africa University. During her three years at Africa University, she taught ethics in the Faculty of eology.

Pond has included Africa University in her estate plans because she wants to see the university continue to break new ground in

preparing responsible, conscientious leaders for the nations of Africa. Africa University is honored to be in partnership with e Girl Who Smiles.

Elaine Jenkins, Director of Planned Giving

The AU Today is published by the Africa University Development Office, in partnership with the Office of Communications, General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM).

For more information, contact the: Africa University Development Office P.O. Box 340007 Nashville, TN 37203-0007 Tel: Fax: Email:

(615) 340-7438 (615) 340-7290 audevoffice@gbhem.org support-africauniversity.org.