wfn.org | Black-college presidents meet in Africa, honor colleagues

["NewsDesk" <NewsDesk@UMCOM.ORG>]

Nov. 25, 2002 News media contact: Linda Green7(615)742-54707Nashville, Tenn. 
   10-31-71B{547}

By Duane Ewers*

MUTARE, Zimbabwe (UMNS) - Presidents of the United Methodist Church's 11
historically black colleges and universities symbolically showed the special
relationships their schools have with Africa University by holding their
annual meeting during the institution's 10th anniversary celebrations.

The Council of Presidents, comprising the top executives of the
denomination's black colleges and universities, met for the first time in
Africa Nov. 14. The group also recognized and honored two retiring members -
Gloria Randle Scott, president of Bennett College in Greensboro, N.C., from
July 1987 to June 2001, and Thomas W. Cole Jr., president of Clark Atlanta
University from February 1988 to June 2002.  

"Welcome back home to many of you," said Rudukzo Murapa, vice chancellor at
Africa University, addressing the council members. "Africa is your roots."

The council participated in a Nov. 15 panel for the opening session of the
10th anniversary celebration to talk about forging partnerships with Africa
University and other African institutions, the commonalities that they share,
and the possibilities for collaboration in a variety of areas, exchanges and
discussions.  

"There is a special kinship between Africa University and the historically
black colleges of the United Methodist Church," said Larry Earvin, president
of Huston-Tillotson College in Austin, Texas. "We wanted to symbolically
indicate that kinship by holding the meeting during the 10th anniversary."   

During the Nov. 14 meeting, the council received an update on the 2000
General Conference authorization for the denomination to raise $300 million
over a 25-year period to increase the current $215 million in endowments of
the Black College Fund schools. The endowment increase would provide money to
support technological advances, libraries and faculty development.

The presidents also began developing strategies to move the historically
black colleges away from symbolism to more substantive relationships and
collaborations, Earvin said. 

"It was gratifying to attend the anniversary celebration and to have the
opportunity to see firsthand the operation of Africa University and to
understand the educational opportunities it provides and its role in the
liberation of the people," he said.

Council President John E. Maupin Jr. praised Scott and Cole in a special
tribute. "We celebrate the belief that the work of these two persons has
pleased God. They have demonstrated the ability to transform the lives of
young people." Maupin is president of Meharry Medical College in Nashville,
Tenn.

Ken Yamada, a staff executive at the United Methodist Board of Higher
Education and Ministry for the past 14 years, said his service has paralleled
the presidencies of Scott and Cole. "These two persons embody the values of
justice, reconciliation and service," he said.

In response to the many tributes given, Scott described her work as "weaving
a legacy of God's will and grace." Cole paid tribute to the council for its
support and encouragement, describing the presidents as an "extraordinary
fellowship."

Bennett College President Johnnetta Cole toasted the retirees. "The only way
to really honor them is to continue their work."

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*Ewers is the director of the office of interpretation at the United
Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry in Nashville, Tenn.

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United Methodist News Service
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