Africa University thanks Oklahomans for generosity

In a recent letter, Africa University (AU) confirmed through Bishop Jimmy Nunn of the Oklahoma Area that a special scholarship has been established.
In 2016, the Annual Conference Offering launched a drive to create an endowment at AU in honor of retiring Bishop Robert Hayes and his wife, Dee.
AU is a United Methodist pan-African university, with its campus in Zimbabwe. The couple requested that scholarship awards go to the neediest students.
AU is undergirded by the Apportionment giving of every church.
Here is the letter from AU official James Salley.*

Dear Bishop Nunn,
Thank you and the Oklahoma Annual Conference for your very generous support for Africa University. Your gift of $130,000, designated for the Africa University Endowment Fund, is helping to equip African young people for a future with hope. We understand that your contribution is to establish the Oklahoma Annual Conference Endowed Scholarship in honor of Bishop Robert and Mrs. Dee Hayes.
Our 23rd graduation ceremony was held on June 10, and 718 young women and men received certificates this year. Thanks to you, and others like you who give so generously to support our work of equipping global leaders. Africa University is an incredible faith story. The people called United Methodist acted boldly on a big dream in 1988. For more than a quarter century they, and others, have invested in equipping disciples who change lives and communities.
Together, we’ve built an effective and relevant world-class institution. We’ve educated young people from 31 African countries and sent them back home to serve. Your generosity continues to make dreams possible. For every graduate leaving us in June, there are at least five potential students who have applied for admission in August. Most will not be able to pay their fees without assistance. Your gift, designated for scholarships, ensures that financial hardship will not prevent them from accessing this life-changing opportunity to learn and grow as leaders.
Thank you for your steadfast support for Africa University’s transformative ministry. Together, we are changing Africa.

(*In the Africa University Development Office of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, James Salley is associate vice chancellor for institutional advancement.)