The people and churches of the WisconsinAnnual Conference have supported Africa

University’s vision to become a world classuniversity for leadership development for years,by not only investing funds, but also makingpersonal commitments to serve.

For more than a decade, the annualconference’s investment in the AfricaUniversity Fund apportionment has exceeded100 percent of the asking. Even as episcopalleaders have come and gone, the conference hasmaintained an unwavering commitment to theuniversity’s establishment and expansion.

“Bishop Hee-Soo Jung is one of our mostdeeply connected ‘connectional’ bishops. Hebelieves that we are one global church and willdo everything to support world-changingprojects,” said Rev. Dan Dick, assistant to thebishop.

Nearly 500 churches in the conference meettheir annual apportionment for the universityin Zimbabwe, which was founded in 1988 and

now has over 1,500 students enrolled.e vision of building Africa University

caught the Rev. Dr. Chomingwen Pond’sattention immediately, and the Wisconsinnative and first woman ordained as an elder bythe conference wanted to go there and serve.Her dream came true when she served on thefaculty of theology from 1995-1997. Inaddition, she has continued to providefinancial support and maintain relationshipswith former students who are now churchleaders in Angola, Malawi and Zimbabwe.

Rev. Dr. Earl Lindsay, former pastor of FirstUMC in West Allis, Wisconsin, is alsocommitted to sustaining and expanding AfricaUniversity. “When I heard about the university,I saw a new opportunity for the denominationto witness to Christ,” he said. After spendingnearly 25 years fundraising for the school, the85-year-old retired clergyman took a 23-hourtrip to see for himself what God has done inZimbabwe.

Mary Beth Byrne, a retired deaconess,recently returned from volunteering as acounselor for two years on the Zimbabwecampus. She and her late husband, Alan,designated a percentage of their trust toscholarships for AU. “Every United Methodistshould be proud of this quality institution ofhigher learning that they have had a part inbuilding,” she said.

Still Building the Dream: Wisconsin Conference Supports Africa University

100%

SUP

PORT

Summer/Fall 2015

Thank you for supporting Africa University throughyour 100 percent remittance of the Africa UniversityFund apportionment in 2014. Here is the listing ofAnnual Conferences with 100 percent or more in2014 (with 2013 performance for comparison):

North Central Jurisdiction 2014 2013Dakotas 100%East Ohio 100% 100%Illinois Great Rivers 100% 100%Iowa 100% 106.5%Minnesota 100% 100%West Michigan 100% 100%West Ohio 100% 100%Wisconsin 130.46% 131.68%Jurisdiction Total Support 91.25% 95.36%

Northeastern Jurisdiction 2014 2013Baltimore-Washington 100% 100%Greater New Jersey 100% 100%New England 100% 100%New York 100% 100%Peninsula-Delaware 100.43% 100%Susquehanna 100%West Virginia 100% 100%Western Pennsylvania 100% 100%Jurisdiction Total Support 95.76% 93.75%

South Central Jurisdiction 2014 2013Central Texas 100% 100%Oklahoma Indian Missionary 100% 100%Rio Grande 100%Southwest Texas 100% 100%Jurisdiction Total Support 89.22% 89.04%

Southeastern Jurisdiction 2014 2013Florida 100% 100%Holston 100% 100%Kentucky 100%North Carolina 100% 100%Red Bird Missionary 100% 100%South Carolina 102.98% 100.39%Tennessee 100% 121.89%Jurisdiction Total Support 91% 91.70%

Western Jurisdiction 2014 2013Alaska United Methodist 100% 100%California Pacific 100%Desert Southwest 100% 100%Oregon Idaho 100%Rocky Mountain 100%Jurisdiction Total Support 91.78% 86.25%

CELEBRATING THE CONNECTION BETWEEN AFRICA UNIVERSITY AND UNITED METHODIST CONGREGATIONS

The Pacific Northwest Conference Jubilate!Choir Endowed Chair in Music at Africa

University has awarded a grant of $10,000 formusic training at AU during the 2015-2016academic year.

e first annual distribution of funds fromthe endowed chair marks the realization of along-held dream for the members of the Jubilate!Choir, which was organized by the annualconference 47 years ago. e choir made thepledge of an endowed chair in music at theofficial opening of Africa University in Mutare,Zimbabwe in 1994.

“e music of Africa has touched us sodeeply,” said Patty Jones, a choir member anddriving force behind the effort. “To be able toknow that training in music at Africa Universitywill continue to grow through this chair iswonderful and exciting.”

Over the past 20 years, choir members andlocal congregations in the Pacific NorthwestAnnual Conference have regularly added to theiroriginal gift of $31,118 to fund the endowment.

“is is the first campaign that successfullyutilized planned giving vehicles – two giftannuities, one life insurance designation and awill bequest – to meet its goal of $400,000.00,”

said Elaine Jenkins, director of planned giving inthe Africa University Development Office. Shenoted that planned gifts accounted for more thanhalf of the total funds raised for the endowedchair in music.

“is endowment is an enduring legacy fromthe Pacific Northwest Annual Conference forAfrica University,” said Tom Richardson, directorof four Jubilate! Choir tours to Africa Universityfrom 1992 to 2013. “e Dream is Alive is both asong and a reality [thanks to the endowment].”

Jubilate!, which began in 1978, has been thesource of summer worship/arts events, worldchoir tours and currently the weekendworkshops of the Jubilate! Worship ArtsInstitute, headed by the Rev. Carol Mariano.

e Pacific Northwest Conference Jubilate!Choir Endowed Chair in Music at AfricaUniversity remains open to contributions andplanned gifts made through the PacificNorthwest Conference Treasurer’s Office and the Africa University Development Office.

Jubilate! Choir Awards Music Training Grant

Africa University Today — Summer/Fall 2015

How You Can Help

L ocated at Old Mutare, Zimbabwe, Africa Universityis the first fully accredited United Methodist-

related educational institution in Africa, established byaction of the General Conference. The university offersbachelor’s and master’s degree programs in sixfaculties of learning: agriculture and naturalresources, education, health sciences, humanities and social sciences, management and administration, and theology. The Institute of Peace, Leadership andGovernance offers post-graduate diplomas andmaster’s programs.

Africa University continues to be the evidence of faith,hope and belief in the visions of dreamers. We arecounting on you! Encourage your church to set a 100percent apportionment remittance goal. Sending aportion of your goal each month makes it easier toreach full remittance by year’s end. Your church’s 100percent apportionment remittance means 100 percent

Continued next page.

Longtime friends and colleagues of Dr. Magnolia(Maggie) Jackson are working to honor herleadership contributions and voluntary servicewithin and beyond e United MethodistChurch by endowing a scholarship in her nameat Africa University.

Dr. Jackson is a professor emeritus at

Cleveland State University and former directorof the school’s social work department.

e scholarship endowment effort is beingspearheaded by the Rev. Dr. William L.McFadden, a fellow member of the East OhioAnnual Conference, who has served with Dr. Jackson on the Africa University AdvisoryDevelopment Committee.

e goal of the campaign is to invest$150,000 to provide the income for oneannual scholarship in perpetuity for a student

enrolled at the university. Launch gifts totaling more than $25,000

have already been received. For moreinformation or to make a gift to the endowedscholarship fund in honor of Dr. Jackson, visitwww.support-africauniversity.org.

New Endowed Scholarship to Honor Dr. Maggie Jackson

Africa University (AU) expects to increase thenumber of African countries comprising itsstudent body through a partnership with theAfrican Leadership Academy (ALA).

e leadership academy is helping to enrolland financially support academically talentedAfrican students at Africa University.

ALA, the continent’s only pan-African highschool, seeks to transform Africa by developingthe next generation of African leaders.

Professor Munashe Furusa, AfricaUniversity's vice chancellor, says the schools’relationship is a rewarding one.

“Our partnership with the AfricanLeadership Academy (is) an ideal initiative andopportunity for Africa University to secure thebrightest scholars from the academy andprovide them with a quality education,” Furusasaid. “We have a shared mission to developleaders for Africa. …e partnership allows us

to maintain and enhance our diversity.”Six students sent by the academy currently

are enrolled at AU. By 2017, AU anticipates anenrollment of 20 students from ALA.

Shared goals, such as leadership developmentand fostering cooperation to create lastingpositive change in Africa, are the foundation ofthe collaboration.

“Our expectation is that they (the students)will be serious-minded individuals, ready tolearn and excel in their studies so that they canrise and shine in their communities and giveback to their nations,” said Soladoye Ajiboye,registrar of Africa University.

Partnership with ALA to Strengthen Diversity

Graduate Attributes Success to His AU Training

support of Africa University’s operational budget, forcosts such as utilities, equipment and faculty salaries.

Consider these additional ways of helping the universityeducate new leaders for the nations of Africa:

Planned Gifts are the foundation for the long-termsurvival of Africa University. As you make your estateplans, consider leaving a gift or bequest to AfricaUniversity in your will. If you have already included theuniversity in your estate plans, please let us know sowe may welcome you to the Richard E. “Dick” ReevesLegacy Society.

Usahwira—This word in the Shona language means“a beautiful friendship.” Encourage your local church tobecome a partner with Africa University by supportingone student at the university for four years. The annualcost of supporting one undergraduate student is justunder $6,000. Local churches may provide full orpartial scholarships.

Endowment Fund—Give to the Africa UniversityEndowment Fund (World Service Special Gift #03-01-88). The interest income from the endowment providesscholarships for our students.

For more information about giving opportunities or tomake a gift, visit us at support-africauniversity.org. To learn about Africa University and its impact, visitafricau.edu.

Let’s work together tocontinue the transformationof lives and of Africa. Toorder resources to help tell the story of the AfricaUniversity 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 andHope DVD (600115)

• Africa University Fund: Pieces of the Dream DVD (600512)

• We are Africa University (600611)

How you can help... continued.

Africa University Development OfficeP.O. Box 340007Nashville, TN 37203-0007(615) 340-7438audevoffice@gbhem.orgwww.support-africauniversity.org

Ezequiel Marcos Nhantumbois using his Africa University

(AU) education to resolve majorchallenges in Mozambique.

A 1996 graduate of AU,Nhantumbo was born in ruralMozambique, the fifth of sixchildren in a devout Methodistfamily. roughout his early life,Nhanthumbo’s parents struggled economically,but showed an abundance of faith.

As a youth, Nhantumbo worked on thefamily farm, but he knew the only way to getahead and secure his future was to earn hiscollege degree. AU was his number one choice.

“When I got to Africa University, I made thedecision to major in agriculture and naturalresources since I knew a great deal aboutfarming,” he said. “It was important that I learnhow to solve problems of food security forpeople in my own land.”

He remembers his time at AU fondly. “As astudent, lecturers conducted discussions onmulti-cultural and multi-racial perspectives,”

Nhantumbo said. “What Iparticularly enjoyed was how theprofessors included students intheir lectures. e fact thatprofessors could learn a great dealfrom their students was ablessing!”

Today, Nhantumbo is therepresentative of the

Mozambique-Missouri Initiative with theUnited Methodist Church in Mozambique.“AU taught me how to be proactive, adaptable,a good communicator, respectful, resourceful,organized, and capable of initiating things. Iwill always be thankful to AU for instilling inme these keys to my success,” he said.

He is putting his degree to good use.“rough infrastructure I have helped to create,congregations are worshipping in decentchapels; communities and churches are beingsupplied with potable water; malaria is on theway to being eradicated; and the majority ofchildren and elderly people now have shelter,food and clothing,” Nhantumbo said.

General Board of Higher Education and MinistryAfrica University Development Officee United Methodist ChurchP.O. Box 340007Nashville, TN 37203-0007

Cheryl LaTanya Walkeris in her 11th year as

Director of AfricanAmerican Ministries atDiscipleship Ministries,formerly the General Boardof Discipleship. Herportfolio includes leadershipformation and resourcedevelopment. A film projectproduced under herleadership, Reflect, Reclaim, Rejoice: Preservingthe Gift of Black Scared Music, won a regionalEmmy for best documentary.

Born in Chicago, and a third generationUnited Methodist, Cheryl has always beenactive in congregations where she heldmembership – Fernwood UMC in Chicago andBen Hill UMC in Atlanta, her current church.

Cheryl earned a bachelor’s degree inpsychology and master’s degree in counselingfrom Chicago State University. Because of her

life-long activism within thedenomination, she received anHonorary Doctorate of HumaneLetters from Gammon eologicalSeminary/Interdenominational Centerin May 2014.

Cheryl’s involvement with AUbegan in 1991 when she chaired themissions work area at Ben Hill. Sheled a Volunteer in Mission team toKenya and Zimbabwe in 1992 and

became an outspoken and effective advocate for AU. Partly in response to her advocacy, Ben Hill built a dormitory on campus in 2002for female students.

Cheryl has been a member of the AUAdvisory Development Committee since 1998,cultivating friends and raising funds. In 2002,she was one of the first to make a planned giftto the university, designating AU thebeneficiary of a life insurance policy. “AfricaUniversity is a place where dreams and hopes

are being realized every day, not only for Africabut also for the world. I am proud to be a partof this transforming institution,” Cheryl said.

Africa University Spotlight: Dr. Cheryl LaTanya WalkerAfrica University Today — Summer/Fall 2015

The AU Today is published by the Africa UniversityDevelopment Office, inpartnership with the Office of Communications, GeneralBoard of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM).

For more information, contact the:

Africa University Development OfficeP.O. Box 340007Nashville, TN 37203-0007

Tel: (615) 340-7438 Fax: (615) 340-7290 Email: audevoffice@gbhem.org

support-africauniversity.org.

Elaine Jenkins, Director of Planned Giving

Africa Unive

rsity

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