wfn.org | Africa University must move to next level, officials decide

[NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG]

Sept. 13, 2000 News media contact: Linda Green·(615)742-5470·Nashville,
Tenn.     10-31-71B{405}

By Duane Ewers*

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) -- The message for the Africa University Development
Committee's annual meeting was clear: It is time to move to the next level
in supporting and developing the school.

"Africa University is not something to be amazed at, but something to
participate in," said Bishop Leontine T.C. Kelly at a Sept. 8 banquet at
Scarritt-Bennett Center in Nashville. "Africa University is a way for us to
bring together not only the United Methodist Church but the world," she
added.

The school, in Mutare, Zimbabwe, is the only United Methodist-related
university in Africa. Last May, the denomination's highest legislative body,
General Conference, voted to continue supporting it with $10.1 million in
apportionment funding during the next four years. That figure was about the
same amount approved by General Conference for the 1996-2000 period,
although university officials had hoped for more this time.

"The 2000 General Conference vote reminds us that we need to take more
responsibility for our destiny," said James H. Salley, associate vice
chancellor for development. 

Africa University is moving to a new level and the development committee
must move to a new level in its activities, Salley said.
 
The development office has taken steps in that direction by selecting the
Rev. Lloyd Rollins, a deacon from the Mississippi Annual (regional)
Conference, as director of development.

"The only thing that can hinder us from moving to that new level is lack of
determination," Rollins said. "The resources in the church are more than
adequate to complete the task."

Planned giving will become a priority for the development office, and a
director for planned giving will be in place soon. The committee also
decided to enter into a partnership with an investment company that would
provide planned giving support.

A strategic planning session will be held at Africa University this month to
help set directions, said the Rev. Roger W. Ireson, top staff executive of
the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry. The
Nashville-based agency works with the university.

Africa University must be careful not to let its immediate budget shortfall
stop its development, Ireson said. He noted that the school has two major
donors: the United Methodist Church, through apportionments and development
funds, and USAID, which has provided $6.58 million for buildings and
equipment.

Professor Rukudzo Murapa, university vice chancellor, gave a construction
update on three dormitories, the library and staff housing. Construction
work will begin soon for a theology building, a project of the South
Carolina Conference. 

The graduating class of 265 students in July was the largest in the school's
history. Zimbabwe's difficult economy will prevent the school from reaching
its goal of having a freshman class of 300 this year, Murapa reported. "The
need for scholarship funds is critical." 

Despite Zimbabwe's political climate, Murapa said travel to the country and
the school is safe. "The university is safe in the midst of political
turmoil."

In other action, the committee heard that:

·	$42,648 of a $65,000 goal was raised by the California-Nevada
Conference at a birthday celebration in June for Bishop Kelly, who led the
conference before retiring. The gifts were designated for an endowed
scholarship for Africa University.
·	$39,350 in scholarship money has been raised by the Honorary Alumni
Association, which was started in February.
·	A new U.S. chapter of the Africa University Alumni Association has
been started, and all 15 members are connected by e-mail.
·	The Africa University Choir toured the Southeastern Jurisdiction
after making appearances at General Conference and the East Ohio Conference.
The choir gave 27 performances.

In opening remarks, Bishop Ernest S. Lyght, the new chairman of the
development committee, told members "to focus not on the past, which can
trip us, but on the future, building on the foundation that is already
laid."
# # #
*Ewers is 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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