TwoConferences Team Up To Raise $1.5M For Women’s Dormitory
U.S. annual conferences are partnering to raise $1.5 million for a new women’s dormitory at Africa University.
Members of The United Methodist Church’s Upper New York and Susquehanna annual conferences approved the project during separate meetings in May and early June.
“Both conferences share a long and faithful history of advocating for access to education as a pathway to individual and communal transformation,” said Bishop Héctor Burgos-Núñez. “This project builds on that legacy.”
A group from Upper New York, led by the bishop, visited the campus at Old Mutare, Zimbabwe, in February 2025 and later discussed building a 92-bed dormitory for women with Susquehanna.
According to an Upper New York resolution, Africa University can house only about half its students. Costly, unreliable transportation from Mutare, seven miles away, adds to the challenge, especially for women — 57 percent of students —
and students from a nearby displaced-persons camp.
After the Susquehanna vote, Milton Loyer of Shepherdstown United Methodist Church in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, had an inspiration.
“That night, God laid two particular thoughts on my mind: that the AU dormitory need was immediate, and that construction costs were sure
to rise over the next three years,” he said. He prepared a resolution for Susquehanna to fund the dormitory up front.
Burgos-Núñez said the original plan was to complete the campaign in four years, then begin construction. Susquehanna members, however, approved exploring whether unrestricted reserves could advance construction funds by Dec. 31, 2026.
“We are now actively studying this possibility and consulting with UNY to discern whether both conferences can move forward together on this new approach,” he said.
“Personally, I am humbled by the way both conferences have embraced this vision, and deeply inspired by their bold faith and generosity,” he said.
—Tim Tanton, former news director for United Methodist News Service, is a journalist living in Nashville, Tennessee.
Scholarships Help Africa University Graduates Thrive
Scholarship support helped open doors for remarkable students among the 698 graduates from 21 African countries celebrated at Africa University’s 32nd commencement on June 6.
The class included the first Global Campus cohort, five doctoral graduates, 125 master’s graduates and a record number earning first-class honors. Female students made up 54.6% of the graduating class. For graduates such as Mercy Mazanga of Zimbabwe, Willam Gray of Liberia and Angelique Nzayisenga, a refugee from Rwanda, scholarships helped turn opportunity into achievement—from academic excellence to an AI tool for farmers and professional preparation for
community service.
About 108 scholarship beneficiaries—1 in 7 graduands—received a scholarship or university financial aid grant in the class of 2026.
In the 2025-2026 academic year, more than 850 students, about 32 percent of enrollment, received grants supported by Africa University endowments, annual gifts, one-time gifts, business partners, multilateral organizations and United Methodist Church agencies.
—Adapted from an article by Eveline Chikwanah, a UM News correspondent based in Harare, Zimbabwe.
2026 AU graduates: William Gray, Angelique Nzayisenga, and Mercy Mazanga
Bishop Héctor Burgos-Núñez with AU students during a February. 2025 campus visit.
AU Fund 100% Support
Overall investment in the Africa University Fund apportionment in 2025 was 88.65% the highest percentage invested across all seven shared giving funds of The United Methodist Church. The Annual Conferences of The United Methodist Church with a 100 percent or more remittance to the AUF over the past two years are:
North Central Jurisdiction
Dakotas
East Ohio
Illinois Great Rivers
Indiana
Iowa
Minnesota
West Ohio
Wisconsin
Jurisdiction Total Support
Northeastern Jurisdiction
Baltimore-Washington
Eastern Pennsylvania
New England
New York
Peninsula-Delaware
Susquehanna
Upper New York
West Virginia
Western Pennsylvania
Jurisdiction Total Support
South Central Jurisdiction
Louisiana
Northwest Texas
Oklahoma Indian Missionary
Jurisdiction Total Support
Southeastern Jurisdiction
Central Appalachian
Florida
North Alabama
North Carolina
South Carolina
Tennessee-Western Kentucky
Western North Carolina
Jurisdiction Total Support
Western Jurisdiction
California Nevada
Mountain Sky
Oregon-Idaho
Pacific Northwest
Jurisdiction Total Support
Thank you for participating in transformative ministry with Africa University.
Africa University Gets First AME Member On Development Board
Monifa McKnight, 50, an entrepreneur and educator from Maryland, is the first non-United Methodist to sit on the executive board of Africa University (Tennessee) Inc.
The African Methodist Episcopal lay member spent 26 years in K-12 education and brings extensive experience with young people, along with expertise in leadership, governance and strategic planning.
Africa University has three boards. Africa University (Tennessee) Inc.’s board is the oldest. Doing business as the Africa University Development Office, Africa University (Tennessee) raises, holds, invests and distributes funds in support of the school, which is based in Mutare, Zimbabwe.
“I am hoping to broaden my horizon around studies from an international lens. I’ve had experience working with international students who come to the U.S.; now I get to learn as a leader from students and how things work in a different country, in the continent of Africa,” McKnight said.
James H. Salley, president and chief executive of Africa University (Tennessee) Inc. and associate vice chancellor for institutional advancement, said McKnight was recruited because of her skills, professionalism and experience.
He noted that Africa University has had a relationship with the African Methodist Episcopal Church for more than seven years and has provided scholarships to the 20th Episcopal District of the AME Church, which includes Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and Botswana.
— Excerpted from an article by Eveline Chikwanah, a UM News correspondent based in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Gift From Board Member Holger Eschman
At Africa University’s Board of Directors meeting this past March, members from across Africa, Europe and the United States gathered on the Old Mutare campus. Impressed and moved by reports of the university’s recent progress, Professor Holger Eschman of Germany presented a check for €6,000 (just over $8,000) to Student Representative Council President Ms. Chikomborero Mapaya. The funds will revitalize and expand the student gym, enhancing wellness and community life on campus.
New AU board member Monifa McKnight (center) meets with some of the African Methodist Episcopal students studying at Africa University.
(From left) Professor Holder Eshmann, SRC President Ms. Chikomborero Mapaya and Africa University Vice Chancellor Reverend Professor Peter Mageto.
Africa University Envisions Global Campus As Premier Online Hub
The new Africa University Global Campus enabled Blessing Kudzionera to further his education while supporting himself in his career.
“I chose the Global Campus because I wanted to enjoy the flexibility of learning without leaving my employment or relocating to the physical campus,” said Kudzionera of Zimbabwe, an Executive Master of Business Administration student. A civil engineer and project manager, he moved to a role with a bank in July.
The Global Campus had 268 students from across Africa in the January-June 2026 semester, representing about 10.8 percent of enrollment at the school, based in Old Mutare, Zimbabwe.
“The Africa University Global Campus originated from the vision of the vice chancellor, Professor Peter Mageto, who recognized the need to expand the university’s reach and respond to the changing landscape of higher education,” said Yollanda Y. Washaya, Global Campus director.
The campus had its “first full year of active growth and expansion” this year, Washaya said. Enrollment increased from 79 students in 2024, while program offerings more than doubled.
“The first year of the Africa University Global Campus was highly encouraging and strategically significant,” said Deputy Vice Chancellor Talon Garikayi. “It has demonstrated that quality PanAfrican higher education can be delivered effectively beyond the physical campus boundaries.
While earning her Executive Master of Business Administration degree, Ruth Karumbu Nsompu held several jobs, including working in the university's Department of Academic Affairs.
“It was tiring, stressful sometimes, but I enjoyed the process,” said Karumbu, born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and raised in Zimbabwe. She learned how to build a business and said, “It also taught me that nothing is impossible.”
Tim Tanton, former news director for United Methodist News Service, is a journalist living in Nashville, Tennessee.
Late Faculty Member's Legacy Continues
Following the July 2025 launch of the Tuarira Mtaita Scholarship Fund honoring beloved lecturer and mentor Mr. Tuarira Abduel Mtaita, Africa University alumni and friends exceeded their $7,000 goal, raising $11,880.
The effort was led by the Mtaita Africa University Alumni Scholarship Committee—Sophia (Chiremba) Anong, Kalaba Chali, Caroline (Shoko) Mabande, and
Tsitsi Makombe—with generous support from AU alumni and their coworkers, parents, and friends in Africa, Europe and the U.S.
A dedicated educator for over 40 years, Mtaita nurtured many professionals through his expertise in crop science and horticulture. He passed away in March 2025 following a road accident.
“The Mtaita Scholarship reflects our collective commitment to honoring a legacy of academic excellence, service, and mentorship,” said Caroline (Shoko) Mabande. “Through this initiative, we aim to extend opportunities to deserving students and sustain the impact of Mr. Mtaita’s lifelong dedication to education and service.”
After receiving 73 applications from current students for grants from the Tuarira Mtaita Scholarship
How You Can Help
Located in Old Mutare, Zimbabwe, Africa University is an accredited, United Methodist–related institution established by action of the General Conference. It offers degree programs across four colleges—Health, Agriculture and Natural Sciences; Business and Management Sciences; Engineering and Applied Sciences; and Social Sciences, Theology, Humanities and Education—along with a School of Law. Professional leadership and capacity-building programs are housed in the Murapa Institute of Peace, Leadership and Governance and the Institute of Theology and Religious Studies.
Thank you for investing in transformed lives and communities through Africa University. We encourage your church to remit 100% of its annual Africa University Fund apportionment, with monthly giving helping to ensure full support for essential costs such as utilities, equipment, and faculty salaries.
You may also support AU in these meaningful ways:
• Planned Gifts: Consider including Africa University in your estate plans and joining the Richard E. “Dick” Reeves Legacy Society.
• Usahwira (“Beautiful Friendship”): Become a keystone congregation by supporting one student for four years. Undergraduate support averages $7,000 per year; full or partial scholarships are welcome.
• Endowment Fund: Gifts to the Africa University Endowment Fund (World Service Special Gift #03-01-88) generate lasting scholarship support through investment income.
For more information about giving opportunities or to make a gift, visit us at https://support.africau.org
Fund, the alumni committee moved quickly to make awards. From applicants representing 12 African countries, the committee selected four students—two women and two men—to receive partial scholarships: Boniphace Salala (Tanzanian), Ruvarashe Mavengere (Zimbabwean), Euvencia Lunga (Zimbabwean), and Chabala Mwale Emmanuel (DR Congolese).
The committee is now shifting from immediate scholarship support to building a lasting endowment in Mtaita’s honor.
To contribute to the Tuarira Mtaita Scholarship Fund, or to learn more, email audevoffice@ africau.org or visit our special giving page.
To learn about Africa University and its impact, visit africau.edu. For resources to help tell the story of the Africa University, visit: support.africau.org or contact:
Africa University Development Office
P O Box 340007, Nashville, TN 37203-0007 (615) 340-7438
audevoffice@africau.org https://support.africau.org
Africa University Development Office
P O Box 340007, Nashville, TN 37203-0007 (615) 340-7438; Fax: (615) 340-7290
audevoffice@africau.org https://support.africau.org
Left: Ruth Karumbu Nsompu earned her Executive MBA through the Africa University Global Campus. Right: Blessing Kudzionera is pursuing his Executive MBA through the Africa University Global Campus.
Tuarira Mtaita served at AU for 30+ years.
P.O. Box 340007
Nashville, TN 37203-0007
Latest News from Africa University
DeBorah Florence Barnwell lived a life defined by faith, service and connection and her legacy is poised to continue shaping lives for generations.
Honoring a family wide desire to establish a scholarship in her parents’ memory, she chose Africa University as the place to bring that legacy to life.
Pastor Barnwell, the youngest of five children of Pastor Odell, Sr. and Missionary Clovis Barnwell, is considered “a jewel” by her sister, Anne Allen. Her sister Lydia Lewis recalls her being a shy youngster who became, “the most outgoing and most social” among the siblings.
Barnwell’s life was marked by compassion and connections in her Georgia community and beyond, while guiding individuals toward healing and hope. She blended faith, scholarship and service into a legacy that will bless others for years to come. It is a legacy that will give rise to empowered students, honor her family’s foundational values, and reflect a life devoted to service, faith, and enduring impact. Africa
A spirit of joy and purpose carried through every chapter of her life. She held a degree in business administration and marketing from North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, North Carolina and a Master of Divinity and a Master of Arts in Christian Education, Ethics and Pastoral Counseling from Gammon Theological Seminary, Atlanta, Georgia. In answering her call to ministry, she served The United Methodist Church across Virginia and beyond, and extended her compassionate spirit as a police chaplain, counselor, and vocational rehabilitation specialist.
The AU Today is published by the Africa University Development Office. For more information, contact the Africa University Development Office P.O. Box 340007 Nashville, TN 37203-0007
Tel: (615) 340-7438
Fax: (615) 340-7290
Email: audevoffice@africau.org https://support.africau.org
AFRICA UNIVERSITY TODAY | SUMMER 2026
Pastor DeBorah F. Barnwell
The late DeBorah Barnwell honored the memory of her parents, Pastor Odell Barnwell, Sr. and Missionary Clovis Barnwell.