Shaping Africa – Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
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In positioning the university to effectively build that vision into the future, several key priorities have emerged. ese include: n Growing AU’s permanent endowment fund to at least $100 million to provide more scholarships and greater flexibility in maneuvering through unstable economic times n Making AU accessible to more students through robust IT and online learning capacities n Enhancing the campus environment through the provision of world class facilities n Leveraging relationships to generate additional
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Congregations Maintain Strong Support for AUF in 2016
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upport for Africa University continues to grow among the local congregations of e United Methodist Church, (UMC). In 2016, the Africa University Fund (AUF) apportionment was number one among the Bishop Debra Wallace Padgett seven general church funds. United Methodist congregations invested close to $2.2 million into Africa University in 2016. Earmarked for operational expenses, the gifts to the AUF represented 94.85 percent of the goal set in the church-wide budget for last year. ere were several appreciable gains for the AUF, including an overall positive trend in giving. e number of annual conferences investing 100 percent of their asking to the AUF in 2016 rose to 34, its highest level to date. Four annual conferences — Indiana, Texas, North Alabama,
and California Nevada — invested in the AUF at 100 percent for the first time. For Indiana United Methodists, realizing this breakthrough whilst also completing a $1.6 million campaign to endow a chair in agriculture and scholarships at Africa University was especially gratifying. “We see the connectional witness of United Methodists increasing as a result of the good work of Africa University,” said Indiana Bishop Julius C. Trimble. In the Texas Conference, where year-on-year giving climbed from 88.13 percent to 100 percent, Bishop Scott Jones commended the university for “providing wonderful leaders for the whole continent ... well-educated, committed leaders with a strong foundation in Wesleyan tradition.” Five annual conferences — Eastern Pennsylvania, West Michigan, New York, Oklahoma Indian Missionary and North Alabama — gave more than 100 percent. North Alabama congregations increased their year-on-year giving
by 29 percent in 2016. ey invested 113.80 percent of their asking to the AUF. “Investing in the ongoing ministry of Africa University is a way to make a profound impact on today’s and future generations," said Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett, who leads the North Alabama Conference. In the California Nevada Conference, giving to the AUF increased from 64.75 percent in the previous year to 100 percent in 2016. All but one of the eight conferences in the Western Jurisdiction gave at 100 percent. California Nevada’s dramatic shift put the Western Jurisdiction within $456 of the goal of 100 percent across the board. “United Methodists see Africa University as a tangible success — a story of impact and hope — that they can all unite around and help to grow well into the future,” said James H. Salley, associate vice chancellor for institutional advancement. Andra Stevens, Director of Communications
25th Anniversary Issue!
hroughout 2017, Africa University will focus on the future and the past as it celebrates its 25th anniversary. e vision came alive in 1988 when United Methodists voted to establish the institution. It is still powerful and relevant. “Africa University is equipping current and future leaders of Africa to be hope, however and wherever hope is needed,” said Bishop Marcus Matthews, interim chair of the Africa University Board of Directors and executive secretary of the Council of Bishops.
Africa University Today — 25th Anniversary Issue!
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resources from African sources n Becoming an innovation hub and increasing teaching and research in climate change, entrepreneurship and technology transfer, and computer science. Looking back over the past 25 years, veteran leaders and celebration partners say that they are thankful for AU’s progress. Currently, 42 buildings make up the main campus, which is debt-free. Africa University is continually evolving. In October 2016, the university emerged from a period of self-study and realignment with a new, three college academic structure and new programs aimed at reinforcing its position as a university of choice on the African continent. “We provide an affordable, high-quality and transformative education that produces skilled and ethical leaders with a pan-African network and the passion for service that Africa needs,” said Munashe Furusa, the university’s vice chancellor. In 25 years, the AU alumni have grown to more than 7,000. Alumni contributions are a source of pride and the rich tapestry of Africa University’s growing reputation. As Richard Fotsin, a Cameroonian alumnus and veteran staff member put it, “Africa University has been murmuring a
Munashe Furusa, AU Vice Chancellor
call in our ears: a call to serve, to love and to lead.” ere is much to celebrate. Bishop Ernest Lyght, a former chair of the AU Board and Advisory Development Committees notes that there are several commitments that individuals can make to help AU to flourish and change lives for another quarter century. Lyght, a retired Episcopal leader, urges United Methodists to engage in a
Chipo Chikomo, AU alumna and YALI fellow
season of daily prayer for AU, educate their local congregations about the university, join the honorary alumni association, and personally contribute to AU. For information and ideas on how you can help, visit www.support-africauniversity.org, call the AU Development Office at 615.340.7438 or write to: audevoffice@gbhem.org.
Francine Mufuk and Jean Claude Maleka: Partners in Life and Mission
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rancine Mufuk and her husband, Rev. Jean Claude Maleka, are partners in life and mission. ey are Africa University graduates who are serving in the Ivory Coast as United Methodist Global Ministries missionaries.
Jean Claude earned a master’s degree in Peace, Leadership and Governance from Africa University in 2010. Francine graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences in 2012. “I was influenced by the civil strife in Congo and other parts of Africa,” Jean Claude said. “I was inspired to serve as a missionary to assist the church to consolidate peace building in many places in Africa.” His assignment is evangelism and church planting. He is also helping to provide clean drinking water to families and communities in the areas with new church starts. Francine is a coordinator of young girls’ ministry.
“My ministry is helping people who are marginalized in society, particularly children, young girls and women,” Francine said. “My goal is to lift them up and give them a second chance to reach their dreams, and to build a home where we can receive those who are thrown [away] by their family.” She needs help from the global church to reach her goals, she said, and so does Africa University. Jean Claude echoed the need for support from United Methodists around the world. “is institution gave me a passion and the ability to create, to plan for something, and achieve personal and professional goals,” Jean Claude said. “AU needs our support to continue its mission to educate thousands of Africans leaders.” Julie Dwyer is the General Church Content Editor at United Methodist Communications
Africa University Is Hope!
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Art and Linda Youngman
– Zimbabwe. He was amazed by the tremendous growth that had taken place since 1995. Students, faculty, and staff had nearly tripled in number. e number of schools had increased. e acacia saplings had grown into
beautiful mature trees. Although it has been many years since Art and Linda last visited the campus, they kept abreast of the university’s continuing development. ey have also been two of the university’s strongest advocates in the Great Plains Annual Conference. Art and Linda recently established the Art and Linda Youngman Endowed Scholarship Fund, which will provide a full annual scholarship for residents of the Fairfield Children’s Home who wish to study at Africa University. e home is located across the valley from the university at the Old Mutare United Methodist Mission Center. For Art and Linda, Africa University is hope personified, not only for the young people at Fairfield Children’s Home, but also for young people across the continent who thirst for a first-rate university education. Elaine Jenkins, Director of Planned Giving
Secular Partnerships Benefit AU’s pan-African Agenda
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frica University is attracting a growing number of friends and partners beyond the global United Methodist Church. e university’s newest partnership is with UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund. e UN agency is providing scholarships for professionals seeking graduate-level training in Child Rights and Childhood Studies. e
collaboration is part of the UNICEF’s bid to invest more in the health, education and protection of Africa’s most vulnerable residents. Recent projections from UNICEF indicate that in spite of very high child mortality rates, the continent will be home to 40 percent of the world’s child population by 2050. As it has turned out, Africa University is a good fit for many different types of organizations. Some, such as UNICEF and ELMA Philanthropies, are quite large. Over a five-year period, the ELMA group of foundations provided more than $503,000 in bursaries and kept 84 students in college, enabling them to graduate. ELMA’s second initiative was a $500,000 challenge grant and funding for the alumni affairs office. is gift increased Africa University’s outreach to African donors and alumni, resulting in an additional $523,000 in immediate funding for operations. Other non-church partners are companies and small, family foundations. e Hansens’ Vikings
Scholarship Fund, for example, is based in Toronto, Canada. Between 2002 and 2017, the fund donated close to $66,000 to support students at Africa University. Five students have completed undergraduate degree programs at the school because of these scholarships. “A big selling point for everyone who gets into a relationship with Africa University is the potential impact to a continent,” said Munashe Furusa, the vice chancellor. “What you are investing in is not bound by national borders. You have 31 of the 55 countries in Africa that have been represented on the campus throughout the past 24+ years. It gives you the possibility of being involved in change leadership across borders and across Africa.” After all, a big part of Africa University’s mission is based on making life better for people across the continent. Adapted from a story by Jeff Wolfe, a longtime newspaper reporter and lifetime United Methodist.
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hen Art and Linda Youngman first visited the Africa University campus in 1995, the university was in its third year of operation. e renovated farm buildings that once served as residence halls, administrative buildings, and classrooms had been replaced with permanent structures. e acacia trees that had been planted across the campus were mere saplings. Art was among the first to be accepted into the Visiting Scholars Program at Africa University. He spent the spring semester of the 1994-1995 academic year on the campus as a visiting professor in the school of agriculture, teaching crop physiology and conducting field and laboratory research. Linda joined Art at the end of the semester, and they spent several days touring Zimbabwe. Art returned to the campus in 2000 with a Volunteers in Mission team to build faculty housing and again in 2004 as a member of the Compassionate Consultation Initiative Project
100% SUPPORT Thank you for investing at 100 percent in the Africa University Fund in 2016.
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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
2016
Dakotas East Ohio Illinois Great Rivers Indiana Iowa Minnesota West Michigan West Ohio Jurisdiction Total Support
100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 104.21% 100% 96.52%
116.54% 100% 100% 100% 96.27%
Northeastern Jurisdiction
2016
2015
Baltimore-Washington Eastern Pennsylvania Greater New Jersey New England New York Peninsula-Delaware Susquehanna Upper New York West Virginia Western Pennsylvania Jurisdiction Total Support
100% 108.16% 100% 100% 100.96% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100.93%
100.01% 110.65% 100% 100% 100% 100.43% 100% 100% 100.02% 100.01% 101.11%
South Central Jurisdiction
2016
2015
Central Texas Oklahoma Indian Missionary Texas Jurisdiction Total Support
100% 100.01% 100% 91.65%
100% 100% 100% 89.54%
Southeastern Jurisdiction
2016
2015
Florida Holston Kentucky North Alabama North Carolina Red Bird Missionary South Carolina Tennessee Jurisdiction Total Support
100%
100% 100% 100%
100% 113.80% 100% 100% 100% 100% 92.49%
1991 More than 3,000 people gathered at Old Mutare in Zimbabwe to break ground for the new university.
2015 100.03% 100% 100%
1987 Zimbabwe United Methodists donated 1,545 acres of land for the proposed Africa University.
HIGHLIGHTS OF
100% 100% 101.41% 100% 91.73%
Western Jurisdiction
2016
2015
Alaska United Methodist California Nevada California Pacific Desert Southwest Oregon Idaho Pacific Northwest Rocky Mountain Jurisdiction Total Support
100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 99.70%
100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 92.77%
1998 e university chapel, a gift from the Kwang Lim Methodist Church in Seoul, Korea, was dedicated. e church’s senior pastor, Bishop Sundo Kim, and members of the congregation attended the ceremony.
2003-2011 Academic/campus development and enrollment growth continued at a steady pace with new programs in health sciences and peace, leadership and governance.
HOW YOU CAN HELP Africa University continues to be the evidence of faith, hope and belief in the visions of dreamers. We are counting on you to help educate new leaders for Africa! Encourage your church to set a 100 percent apportionment remittance goal. Your church’s full remittance means 100 percent support of Africa University’s operational budget. Consider investing in the Campaign for Africa University. It is an effort to raise $50 million over a three-year period for scholarships, academic development, infrastructure and technology. You may choose:
1992 A pioneer group of 40 students from six countries began lectures in renovated farm buildings.
1996 e Ireson-Kurewa building, the first of five buildings gifted to AU by the American people through USAID, was completed.
A DREAM IN MOTION
Planned Gifts—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—You or your local church can become a partner with Africa University by making a four-year commitment to support one student. The annual cost of supporting one undergraduate student is just under $6,000. The university welcomes full or partial Usahwira 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. Let’s work together to continue transforming lives. To order resources to help tell the story of the Africa University Fund apportionment, visit umcgiving.org. Or, call United Methodist Communications, toll-free at (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)
2014 Munashe Furusa joined Africa University as its fourth vice chancellor and was formally installed ten months later. 2012 Roger Ireson, former general secretary of GBHEM, and John Kurewa, AU’s founding vice chanceller, were awarded honorary degrees at the 20th anniversary celebrations.
Africa University Development Office P.O. Box 340007 Nashville, TN 37203-0007 (615) 340-7438 audevoffice@gbhem.org www.support-africauniversity.org
Africa University Today — 25th Anniversary Issue!
Europeans Help Dreams Come True at Africa University
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he connection to Methodist mission in southern Africa goes way back beyond Africa University’s 25 years. It was 1907 when Africa Missionary Bishop Joseph Hartzell visited Norway and shared his vision of education for Rhodesia — what is present-day Zimbabwe. Later that year, Norway sent the first Methodist mission group to Zimbabwe, where Africa University is located. “Hartzell spoke to the people of Northern Europe, the young people heard him, took his words to heart and started working,” said Tove Odland, a former Africa University board member and Norwegian representative on the General Board of Global Ministries. After visiting Africa University for the first time in 2007, Bishop Rosemarie Wenner, the Episcopal leader of the UMC in Germany said, “I was deeply impressed by the high standard of the facilities, the quality of academic life and the commitment of faculty members and students…Since then, I can prove that a dream came true.” Helping fuel those dreams was the late Rev. Heinrich Meinhardt, along with his wife, Birgit, and son, Nils. “Heinrich was the one who inspired us in Germany to catch the vision and strengthen the pan-African university in Mutare,” said Wenner. Birgit Meinhardt remembers how those first
encouraging reports from Zimbabwe contributed to the momentum of what eventually became Africa University, which opened in 1992 and had its first graduating class in 1994. “Martin E. Brose (a German theologian) was one of the witnesses, and he and Rev. Meinhardt couldn’t stop talking Rev. Heinrich Meinhardt, Germany Tore Odland, Norway about Africa University in our church,” she said. One of the themes that the Rev. Meinhardt other in Nigeria seeking admission, but my kept before his own church and others was that efforts were fruitless. I went to AU, started my the university would not help only that region, program and finished without interruption.” Africa University continues to grow and but the world. strengthen its foundation for the future. “e special message which came and still Continued financial support was approved at comes from Africa University is that we are a the 2016 General Conference. at came as worldwide church and our small church in good news to omas Kemper, general Berlin can share in this project,” Birgit secretary of the General Board of Global Meinhardt said. “To build up a world-class university for leadership development in Africa Ministries, who is also a university board member. is a new way in supporting young people in “Africa University has made a remarkable Africa.” contribution to Africa… It has fulfilled and at support is appreciated by recent kept the founding dream of a United students. Methodist pan-African university, maintaining “I have no idea where I would be if there a broad representation in the student body and was no Africa U.,” said former student and faculty,” Kemper said. current Global Missions Fellow Mavula Sabbath Kefas, who is serving with Adapted from an article by Jeffrey Wolfe, International and Migrant Ministries in a freelance writer living in New Jersey Germany. “I raced from one university to the
Dreaming and Building the Future e African bishops of e United Methodist Church (right) made their first collective financial contribution to Africa University in 2010, funding construction of a staff house. Ongoing contributions from the bishops include church-wide advocacy, involvement in university governance and student recruitment. Trustees are in the forefront of generating resources for Africa University from within the African business community. Grace Muradzikwa and Patricia Madondo are Methodist laypersons and major donors who engage others in supporting the institution’s growth. Alumni, led by Chali Kalaba, used language skills gained or perfected at Africa University to generate a collective gift totaling around $27,000 in 2016. As the pool and influence of its graduates expand, Africa University is also seeing growth in alumni contributions to its mission.
Seeding Hope, Shaping Opportunity
e Campaign for Africa University
e Campaign for Africa University is an opportunity to participate in defining what Africa University will be 25 years from now. e campaign entered its public phase in September 2016, with more than $26.2 million in cash and pledges. Dr. Aubrey Lucas, chair of the campaign, expressed great confidence in the outcome at the launch. “We will be successful in this campaign for Africa University because the funds are needed to sustain our move to greater distinction … and we will be successful because we, United Methodists, have come to love and be proud of our Africa University,” Lucas said. Your support will allow Africa University to add: • $25 million to its permanent endowment for scholarships/financial aid. Africa University can enroll more students of limited means, nurture talent from every corner of Africa and produce principled leaders.
• $7 million for capital improvements (technology and facilities).
Continental challenges, such as improving access to IT or medical laboratory testing services, are driving research and program development.
Increasing its investment in campus infrastructure and online distance learning systems will allow Africa University to improve student access and meet the evolving demands of students and faculty. Africa University contributes the knowledge and leaders for the work of realizing more peaceful, healthy and prosperous communities on the continent of Africa. e university matters — as an innovation hub and a source of the right skills and outlook. To gain further momentum as a catalyst for positive change, Africa University requires strategic investment now. Every contribution to the Campaign for Africa University—be it immediate or through deferred gifts, is meaningful. Invest and help
Africa University to continue as a springboard for future generations of global leaders. To discuss giving opportunities, call (615) 340-7438 or write to audevoffice@gbhem.org. To make an online gift, visit www.supportafricauniversity.org, or make your check payable to ‘Africa University’ and mail it to: Africa University Development Office P O Box 340007, Nashville, TN 37203-0007
Changing Africa: Learning here. Living here. Leading here. Serving God. All the time. Everywhere.
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• $18 million for program initiatives, faculty chairs and research. Well-resourced academic development will expand Africa University’s contributions to reducing quality of life disparities and stimulating economic growth in Africa.
Student access through scholarship support and the quality of life of students on campus are key campaign priorities.
General Board of Higher Education and Ministry Africa University Development Office e United Methodist Church P.O. Box 340007 Nashville, TN 37203-0007
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PAID Nashville, Tenn. Permit No. 11
ay d o T it y sue! s r e v ni sar y Is U a c Afrtih A nniver 25
Africa University Today — 25th Anniversary Issue!
Africa University Is Deeply Rooted in Her Heart
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olores G. Owens’ love of reading and travel has taken her to more than 25 countries and six continents. Her love of books influenced her choice of vocation. After earning her master’s degree in library science from Texas Woman’s University in 1974, Dolores was employed by Lee College (Baytown, Texas) as its public services librarian until her retirement in 2004. While living in Houston, Dolores joined Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church. She first learned of Africa University at Mt. Vernon and was encouraged by her pastor and her former district superintendent to support the institution. Dolores did so without hesitation. Dolores has been a steadfast supporter, contributing annually since 1991. She has also endowed a scholarship in her mother’s memory, the Julia Nesbitt Owens Endowed Memorial Scholarship Fund, and has included Africa University in her estate plans. “Support for Africa University is deeply rooted in my heart,” Dolores said. On March 20, 2017, Dolores will travel to
still an important, vibrant, and thriving ministry of e United Methodist Church. Her dream is that the university will one day, through its graduates, be in the forefront of peace-making on the continent of Africa. 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).
Dolores G. Owens
Africa University for the Silver Jubilee celebrations. Although she has visited the continent seven times, it will be her first visit to Zimbabwe. She wants to see the institution that she has supported and loved these many years, and meet the current recipient of her mother’s endowed scholarship. Dolores is grateful that Africa University is
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.