Board of Regents Ecumenical University Worldwide

Commencement Exercises Ecumenical University

DR. EDDY PATRICK DONKENG, PRESIDING

PRESENTATION OF CANDIDATES FOR THE FOLLOWING DEGREES

BISHOP CHARLES MPAGI ASSOCIATE DEGREE IN CROSS STYLE THEOLOGY

VICTOR ASIIMWE EVANS ASSOCIATE DEGREE IN CROSS STYLE THEOLOGY

RUTH KIRENZE ASSOCIATE DEGREE IN CROSS STYLE THEOLOGY

DAVID EYOMA ASSOCIATE DEGREE IN CROSS STYLE THEOLOGY

DONAL JAMES ASSOCIATE DEGREE IN CROSS STYLE THEOLOGY

WYCLIFF OBECHE ASSOCIATE DEGREE IN CROSS STYLE THEOLOGY

ROBERT MUKISA ASSOCIATE DEGREE IN CROSS STYLE THEOLOGY

GENE FERDINAND BROWN BACHELOR OF ARTS IN CROSS STYLE THEOLOGY

DON JEROME BROWN DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN CINEMA STUDIES

LUELLA J. REDFERN DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN INTERNATIONAL STUDIES AND POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY

BERNARD BYRD DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN RELIGIOUS STUDIES

GWEN BYRD DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN RELIGIOUS STUDIES

MOSES BROWN DOCTOR OF HUMANE LETTERS, HONORIS CAUSA

JEAN HOPKINS DOCTOR OF HUMANE LETTERS, HONORIS CAUSA

Joe and Gladys Grimaud

Joe and Gladys were married for 63 years with three sons. Joe was a fighter pilot during the Vietnam war and Gladys the faithful mother and housewife. Joe retired from the service, took his savings and opened a Midas Muffler shop in Alexander, La.

The Grimaud family set their life priorities: God, Family, Country, and Career. Working as a team the Grimauds applied what Joe would later call the “Grimaud’s Law of Certainty”...” Diligent effort consistently applied in a specified direction over a long period of time will bring results certain.” Gladys served as the CEO of the home and Joe grew business partnerships.

The Grimaud family believed in being fully involved in church and Community. Joe led his family in tithing 10% and saving 10% to build a solid financial foundation. The Grimaud family business grew from a Midas Muffler shop to a national network of Precision Tune franchises

In 1991 Joe was elected President of Precision Tune Inc. to save the international mother company from total bankruptcy. He turned the company around in one year and in addition adopted Frederick Douglass Jr. High Alternative School in Washington DC.

In 1996, racial tensions were high in South Carolina over the Confederate Flag. Joe and Gladys contacted Dr. Tony Evans to bring a Unity Crusade to Columbia, SC. With God’s help and direction, City Light Columbia was established to address the racial problem with all Christian churches coming together to repent and heal the community. On May 18 – 20, 1997, Christian churches responded with over 80,000 attendees (60% white 40% black).

Both Joe and Gladys were licensed and ordained as ministers in Ecumenical Church. As Joe establishing Chapin Furniture, more Precision Tunes and other businesses Gladys established CityLight as a worldwide change agent. Through her philanthropy, Christ Central, Cross Style, Windows to the World and many other organizations were greatly enhanced. She is one of the founders of Ecumenical University and has fostered Campus development on three continents, She has used the Esther Women of Influence and her wealth to empower women in Africa and Asia.

Joe died in 2020 and his three sons, David, Greg and Keith have continued his business legacy. Gladys continues the Grimaud family legacy in philanthropy.