| | Africa University to celebrate decade of growth with UM support By Pamela Crosby United Methodist News Service  Africa University in Mutare, Zimbabwe will celebrate a decade of educating students from throughout Africa Nov. 15-17. In 10 years, the United Methodist school has grown from its initial 40 students to a current enrollment of about 1,000. Twelve years ago, the Africa University board of directors appointed a building and grounds committee. The group began planning the 1,500-acre campus on property donated by the Zimbabwe Annual Conference. The committee included Kaseya Ilunga, Elias Mumbiro, James Salley, Bishop Abel Muzorewa, Bonaventure Ndorimana and the late Richard Dick Reeves, who served as chairman. Reeves was a retired engineer from Decatur, Ill., whose love for Africa University became known throughout the church. Following a 38-year career as a water-pump manufacturer, hed traveled several times to Africa, building latrines, digging wells and developing clean drinking water resources under the auspices of the United Methodist Committee on Relief. Im just an old pump man, Reeves would say. But as an Africa University board member with engineering experience, he made many trips at his own expense to oversee the universitys architectural progress. He worked closely with Zimbabwe-based architect Norman Dickens and Dickens firm of Hope, Mills, Peto Associates in Harare. The architects, contractors, and members of the universitys building and grounds committee developed a plan that would not smother the landscape with Western-style buildings. They wanted the campus to be compatible with the valleys rolling hills and acacia trees. They selected materials produced in Zimbabwe, and their designs were contemporary yet reminiscent of buildings indigenous to the area, such as rondovals, which are commonly used as village meeting houses. Erected in 1996, a round chapel, donated by the Kwang Lim United Methodist Church in Seoul, South Korea, is the focal point of the campus. The first sight that greets a visitor is the universitys entrance gate, modeled after the Great Zimbabwe the ruins of a complex built by indigenous African people between 1250 and 1450 A.D. Once through the gate, vehicles cross the Bridge to Dreams, donated in 1992 by the Central Illinois Annual Conference. Not long after the 1994 official opening, the pressing need for student residence halls became the order of the day. In 1995, U.S. businessman and philanthropist Peter Kleist contributed $500,000 and offered his land development and construction expertise. The campus has 15 residence halls with lounges, laundry facilities, lecture halls and computer labs. The buildings include the $1 million Ireson/Kurewa Center, funded by USAID and built in 1996, home to the Faculty (school) of Agriculture & Natural Resources, with modern, well-equipped laboratories and lecture halls. Most of the edifices take advantage of the prevailing breezes for temperature controls. Only buildings housing computers, extensive telecommunications systems and books require air conditioning. Dedicated in 2001, and also funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development, the new Jokomo/ Yamada Library supports teaching and research efforts with both traditional and electronic resources. Todays Africa University is a testament to the generosity and tenacity of United Methodists all over the world, who have supported the school from the beginning. The campus also reflects the work of dedicated architects, contractors, engineers, builders, construction workers and volunteers. In 10 short years, the campus has grown from fewer than 10 temporary structures to 30 debt-free, contemporary buildings that reflect the spirit and flavor of Africa. The work continues. |
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