Africa University Shifts Fall Semester Online
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100% SUPPORT
students are already familiar with the program. “The university is putting in place measures to ensure that the student learning experience is not compromised but rather enhanced through this mode of learning,” said Stephene Chikozho, director of advancement and public affairs. Students will need appropriate hardware to access study materials, as well as online and internet connection, preferably Wi-Fi. “Negotiations are ongoing with internet
Thank you for investing at 100 percent in the Africa University Fund in 2019. The Annual Conferences of The United Methodist Church with a 100 percent or more remittance to the AUF apportionment over the past two years are: North Central Jurisdiction Dakotas East Ohio Illinois Great Rivers Indiana Iowa Minnesota West Ohio Wisconsin Jurisdiction Total Support
2019 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 91.33%
2018 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 108.99% 95.87%
Northeastern Jurisdiction Baltimore-Washington Greater New Jersey New England New York Peninsula-Delaware Susquehanna Upper New York West Virginia Western Pennsylvania Jurisdiction Total Support
2019 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 98.82%
2018 100% 100% 100% 104.01% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 98.53%
South Central Jurisdiction Oklahoma Indian Missionary Jurisdiction Total Support
2019 100% 78.24%
2018 100% 85.42%
service providers in Africa at university level for cheaper data packages for students,” Chikozho said. “In addition, the technology fees that were supposed to be paid to Africa University by students have been waived to assist students to buy their own data for e-learning.” Ferdinand Akoka Akoka started his studies online in August. About 15% of the 2020 freshmen are from outside Zimbabwe. Akoka is from the Democratic Republic of Congo. He is pursuing a four-year undergraduate degree program in medical laboratory sciences. “I’m excited about starting my first semester at AU online. This is the second time that I am going to face this new way of learning, as I have previously written some examinations online,” he said. Adapted from a story by Eveline Chikwanah.
Southeastern Jurisdiction Florida North Alabama North Carolina Red Bird Missionary South Carolina Tennessee Virginia Jurisdiction Total Support
2019 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 93.26%
2018 100% 100% 100% 108.76% 100% 110.35%
Western Jurisdiction Alaska United Methodist California Nevada California Pacific Desert Southwest Mountain Sky Oregon Idaho Pacific Northwest Jurisdiction Total Support
2019 100% 100%
2018 100% 100% 100% 100%
100% 100% 100% 93.82%
93.11%
100% 100% 100%
Summer 2020
frica University’s fall semester classes are being conducted online, with more than 870 freshmen beginning their academic life via the internet. The institution decided to deliver academic activities virtually through December, following a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases on the continent of Africa. In late August, the Africa Centers for Disease Control reported more than one million confirmed cases and close to 27,000 deaths across 55 countries. Despite postponement of in-person classes, Vice Chancellor Munashe Furusa remains optimistic. Lectures began on Aug. 24. “We are currently the only university approved to offer online programs in Zimbabwe,” he said. “The pandemic has presented an opportunity for us to scale up our online program offerings.” Africa University uses Moodle as its learning management platform, and most of the
Africa University Today — Summer 2020
McClain to Retire After 45 Years of Service
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lorianna McClain, one of the longest-serving employees of a United Methodist general agency, will retire Oct. 30. Her career spans more than 45 years, including 26 years of service to Africa University. As the executive assistant to the associate vice chancellor for institutional advancement, McClain has worked alongside James H. Salley in the Africa University Development Office since 1994. “She wasn’t recruited; she was sent to be … in the development office as we traveled places where no one had gone before," said Salley. “She has worked without fanfare to carry out the mission of Africa University and The United Methodist Church … I know that she is happy and proud to be a part of a dream come true.” McClain was first hired in February 1975 as a clerk/typist with the General Board of Discipleship. Ten months later, she transferred to the Black College Fund office of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) as a fund and administrative officer. “It’s just amazing, when I think of the
blessings that I have had,” McClain said. “I say, ‘Thank you, God.’ He really has watched over me all these 45 years.” Transforming a Dream into Reality At the Black College Fund, McClain had a front-row seat as the Africa University initiative took shape. She typed countless documents and helped to assemble concept papers, feasibility studies and a 200-page Africa University Master Plan for presentation at the 1988 General Conference. She recalls being captivated by AU’s mission and potential. Salley offered her a position in August 1994. McClain has kept the office running smoothly, supervised database maintenance as well as financial record-keeping and reporting, and provided Salley with the necessary administrative support to assure the success of the university’s global advancement efforts. “What I have enjoyed most about this journey with Africa University is realizing that my work made a difference … and working with Jim Salley, the staff and the members of the AU advisory development committee,” McClain said. Lisa Tichenor is a founding member of the university’s advisory development committee and chair of the AU (Tennessee) Board of Directors.
“She has provided critical support for those of us working on behalf of AU from all parts of the world,” said Tichenor. In retirement, McClain looks forward to another trip to Africa University and Zimbabwe and filling more of her days with the laughter and antics of her family. “There is more to Glorianna than AU or the UMC,” said Salley. “She is active in her local church, as close to her family as one can be and really enjoys people. She has spent her entire professional life in ministry, and that service has done well with her soul. God has blessed me with a confidant, friend and colleague.” A Virtual Retirement Celebration is planned for October 15. Congratulatory messages and cards can be emailed to astevens@gbhem.org or sent by post to: Africa University Development Office P.O. Box 340007 Nashville, TN 37203-0007
How You Can Help ocated at Old Mutare, Zimbabwe, Africa University is an accredited United Methodist-related educational institution in Africa, established by action of the General Conference. The university offers degree programs in three colleges: Health, Agriculture and Natural Sciences (CHANS); Business, Peace, Leadership and Governance (CBPLG); and Social Sciences, Theology, Humanities and Education (CSSTH&E). New academic programs include master’s and doctoral degree programs in military chaplaincy, migration, citizenship and refugee protection; and entrepreneurship, innovation and creativity.
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Africa University continues to be the evidence of faith, hope and belief in the visions of dreamers. Thank you for investing in changed lives and communities! Encourage your church to set a 100 percent apportionment remittance goal. Sending a portion of your goal each month makes it easier to reach full remittance by year’s end. Your church’s generosity ensures 100 percent support of Africa University’s operational budget for costs such as utilities, equipment and faculty salaries. Continued next page.
How you can help... continued.
COVID-19 Doesn’t Stop Nigerian Nurse and AU Graduate, Elisha Ishaya
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hen Elisha Friday Ishaya graduated from Africa University, he was excited about providing the best health care possible. Then COVID-19 hit. By late August, the 55 African Union Member States reporting COVID19 data had recorded more than a million cases and 27,000 deaths. According to the World Health Organization (July 29), more than 10,000 health workers in the 40 African countries that report such data had been infected. Job descriptions changed overnight, and health care workers like Ishaya faced a host of new challenges, including lack of protective equipment and medication, funding gaps, food insecurity and poor information systems, to name a few. “Despite the fact that the pandemic has been ongoing globally for over five months,” Ishaya said, “many still don’t believe that the coronavirus exists. All over the major cities, people can be seen not adhering to social distancing guidelines, not using masks, and not wearing gloves or sanitizing their hands.” Along with being at a high risk of virus transmission, health care workers are exposed to violence as people object to screening or quarantining. As security forces attempt to enforce lockdowns, it is not unusual for health
care workers to lose rental contracts, be denied access to shops or transportation, or experience physical assaults. A 2015 AU alumnus with a bachelor’s degree in nursing, Ishaya serves as a perioperative nurse at Federal Medical Centre Keffi in Nigeria. When his hospital became an official care center for the pandemic, the number of patients admitted for treatment and emergency surgery increased significantly. “Most of the [other] hospitals,” he said, “are no longer accepting patients due to fear of COVID-19.” Hope Triumphs over Despair But workers remain steadfast. Ishaya recalled preparations by a 50-member team for surgical separation of conjoined twins. “I was the team leader for the theater nurses and coordinator,” he said. Days before the scheduled surgery, he was one of 17 members of the 50-member medical team who tested positive for COVID-19. The surgery was done with limited personnel. After 14 days of quarantine, he was retested, and the result was negative. Ishaya is back on the job. “Glory be to God!” he said. Adapted from an article by Barbara Dunlap-Berg
NIH Grants Support Research
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U-based researchers gathered for training in July in preparation for collaborative research enquiries into the ongoing, multisectoral impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in southern Africa. “This program allows us to refresh and reassess the basic mechanisms to guarantee success in the research journey” said grant recipient, Munashe Kurehwatira. “It will be exciting to see our research informing policy, by providing the foundation for interventions to be successful and help the intended beneficiaries.” The AU Office of Research and Innovation,
Consider these additional ways of helping the university educate new leaders for the nations of Africa: Planned Gifts— 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 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 download resources to help tell the story of the Africa University Fund apportionment, visit: umcgiving.org/auf and/or the resources page at support-africauniversity.org. Current resources include: • Africa University at 28 — Talking Points • Africa University: The School of Hope (video) • Usahwira (brochure) • AU in a Nutshell (presentation)
Africa University Development Office P.O. Box 340007 Nashville, TN 37203-0007 (615) 340-7438 Fax: (615) 340-7290 audevoffice@gbhem.org www.support-africauniversity.org
supported by the AU Clinical Research Center, organized the training.
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Africa University Today — Summer 2020
Lawyer, Educator and AU Benefactor, Kent M. Weeks, Dies at 82
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r. Kent McCuskey Weeks, an attorney and educator who specialized in Higher Education law and governance, took the idea of a United Methodist-related university for all of Africa and gave it substance. “Kent was a trailblazer in higher education from a global perspective, an intellect and scholar who came across as a regular guy,” said Africa University Associate Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement James Salley. Weeks, who died on July 30 in Nashville, Tennessee, crafted the legal blueprint and guided the creation of the legal entities that make up Africa University. He drafted legislation—in collaboration with Zimbabwe-based legal counsel—that was passed by the Parliament of Zimbabwe, creating a pathway for the establishment of private universities in the country. Weeks went on to serve as general counsel for Africa University for more than 20 years.
“He brought unique gifts and his expertise, experience and background proved invaluable as we worked to blend the African, American and British traditions into an effective new university for Africa,” said Rev. Dr. Roger Ireson, former general secretary of the United Methodist General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM). Weeks invested in the university’s endowment fund and supported efforts to preserve the history of The United Methodist Church in Africa. His contributions were recognized with the naming of the Kent M. Weeks History and Archives Hall within the Jokomo Yamada Library at Africa University. In 2014, Weeks received Africa University’s highest honor—the Drum Award. The following year, he and his wife, Karen H. Weeks, established an endowed scholarship fund at Africa University.
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.