Commentary: Why should we care about Africa University?
10/21/2003 News media contact: Linda Green · (615) 742-5470 · Nashville, Tenn
A head-and-shoulders photograph of Aubrey K. Lucas is available.
A UMNS Commentary
By Aubrey K. Lucas*
Students
study in one of the modern science labs at United Methodist-related
Africa University in Mutare, Zimbabwe. A UMNS photo by Mike DuBose.
Photo number 03-380, Accompanies UMNS #501, 10/21/03
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Students
walk to class at Africa University in Mutare, Zimbabwe. The United
Methodist-related school opened in barns and chicken houses more than 10
years ago. It now has a physical plant of more than 30 permanent
facilities serving 1,200 students. A UMNS photo by Mike DuBose. Photo
number 03-378, Accompanies UMNS #501, 10/21/03
No Long Caption Available for this Story
A UMNS file photo by Mike DuBose
United Methodist-related Africa University in Mutare, Zimbabwe, serves some 1,300 students.
United
Methodist-related Africa University in Mutare, Zimbabwe, serves some
1,200 students. A UMNS photo by Mike DuBose. Photo number 03-381,
Accompanies UMNS #501, 10/21/03
Garden of Hope. Photo number W03051, Accompanies UMNS#497
No Long Caption Available for this Story
United
Methodist-related Africa University in Mutare, Zimbabwe, serves some
1,200 students. A UMNS photo by Mike DuBose. Photo number 03-377,
Accompanies UMNS #501, 10/21/03
No Long Caption Available for this Story
Africa University. Photo number W03019, Accompanies UMNS #457
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United
Methodist-related Africa University in Mutare, Zimbabwe, serves
students from 20 countries. A UMNS photo by Mike DuBose. Photo number
03-379, Accompanies UMNS #501, 10/21/03
No Long Caption Available for this Story
Zephirin Ndikumana. Photo number W03053, Accompanies UMNS#501
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The question is often asked, "Why is the United Methodist Church so committed to Africa University? Why are we there?"
United
Methodists are committed to Africa University because the New Testament
tells us that we are commissioned to go into the world and teach. It's
as simple as that.
Our church has its roots in the university
setting. Methodism founder John Wesley loved learning and the university
life, and he urged us to unite knowledge and vital piety. That's a
tough thing to do, but we have done it.
Creating and supporting higher education is just something we United Methodists do. It's in our genes.
We're
building a university in Old Mutare, Zimbabwe, because it's needed, and
we're staying there because it is meeting critical needs. We are
committed to Africa University.
To a higher degree than other
schools, Africa University operates within complicated structural
relationships. The teaching faculty, the students and most of the
administrative staff are in Africa; however, part of the administration,
many of its board of directors, and most of its financial resources
come from other continents. The United Methodist Church's top
legislative assembly, General Conference, has delegates from all over
the world and to a large extent determines Africa University's
well-being.
University officials and staff must work with the
church and private constituents, not only in Zimbabwe and Africa but
throughout the world. They must relate positively to all of the
denomination's churchwide agencies, and that's no easy task. In
addition, the university must live not only within Zimbabwe's laws but
also those of the United States.
As a student and a professor
of higher education, I know of no university anywhere with a governing
structure of oversight and support more challenging, and in some ways
more wonderful, than that of Africa University.
In a university
where the welfare of the institution depends on so many constituencies
scattered throughout the world, continuity is a must. The time to talk
about continuity is when continuity is not an issue, when personalities
are not involved.
Africa University's effectiveness depends on
private gifts. Its budget depends on the loyal giving of United
Methodists through their apportionments and their individual gifts.
Almost all of its physical plant has been funded by gifts.
The
university is receiving large private gifts as a result of people
getting to know Rukudzo Murapa, the vice chancellor, Jim Salley, the
associate vice chancellor for institutional advancement, and other
university colleagues. Commitments for planned gifts are made based on
the continuity these benefactors see now.
Because of commitment
and continuity, we have much to celebrate about Africa University. One
could hardly write a more successful case history of a college or
university. As we move to next spring's General Conference, we must lift
before the church these successes.
This university opened in
barns and chicken houses more than 10 years ago. It now has a physical
plant of more than 30 permanent facilities serving 1,200 students; and,
there is not a dollar of debt on these facilities.
Though
Zimbabwe is experiencing crippling inflation and shortages of food, fuel
and other essentials, the budget management of university officials -
with assistance from staff at the United Methodist Board of Higher
Education and Ministry - has made it possible for the university to
finish each of the last three fiscal years with no deficit.
The
university has graduated 1,059 students in its first 10 years.
Remember, the school opened with only 40 students. It is sending
graduates across Africa to teach, preach and participate in government,
commerce, agriculture and other parts of society.
Through the
generosity of so many churches and individuals, the university's
endowment has supported the annual budget, built facilities and survived
a stock market crash. It now stands at a healthy $19 million.
With
the support of the Africa University development committee, the planned
giving counsel, the development staff and many others, our inventory of
planned gifts is growing. We can celebrate the largest gift in our
short history - $5.2 million - a gift larger than most United Methodist
colleges and universities have ever received.
As the United
Methodist Church plans for General Conference, it should be proud of
what it has accomplished in Zimbabwe. Africa needs Africa University
today more than ever. The very security of the United States demands, as
President Bush has acknowledged, that it not ignore Africa.
When
Africa University's centennial is celebrated in 2092, people will say
that United Methodists founded and nurtured a great university on a
great continent. It will be said that, in the early years, Africa
University was an island of order, purpose, peace and hope, and through
the century it graduated thousands of students who went throughout the
world, exemplifying the hope, healing and empowerment that come when we
truly unite knowledge and vital piety.
# # #
*Lucas is
president emeritus of the University of Southern Mississippi and a
member of the Africa University Development Committee.
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