Africa University recognized 21 individuals for their generosity and commitment to the institution at the 15th annual Richard E. "Dick" Reeves Legacy Society Dinner, in Nashville, TN.
About 120 friends and supporters of the university gathered to remember, honor and induct new members into the society in an evening filled with thanksgiving and delight.
The 2015 Legacy Society inductees, 11 in number, included Mr. Gerald R. Aubrey and Mrs. Jerry Jo Voris Burkman. The Indianapolis-based couple are long-standing friends of Africa University and retired missionaries who served in Africa, Europe and the Far East.
In support of the current $1.6M Indiana Conference campaign for Africa University, the couple endowed a scholarship in memory of Mrs. Burkman's parents, Merle and Esther Voris, saying that they were "impressed with the purpose of Africa University, especially the whole continent focus of the vision."
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| Mr. Kevin G. Goodwin and Mrs. Karen Olsen Goodwin (right) recently made their third planned gift. |
Mr. Kevin G. Goodwin and his wife, Mrs. Karen Olsen Goodwin, were among the 10 members of the Legacy Society who have made new gifts. As their third planned gift to Africa University, the Goodwins are funding an endowed scholarship. They chose to tithe from a family bequest.
Africa University's planned giving program recorded gifts totaling more than $3.8 million in the first eight months of 2015, including the university's first planned gift in excess of $1 million. The Richard E. "Dick" Reeves Legacy Society, named for a founding Board member and chair of the Building and Grounds Committee from the Illinois Great Rivers Conference, has a membership of 360.
Andra M. Stevens, Director, Communications, Africa University Development Office
A World Service Special Gift is a designated financial contribution made by an individual, local church, organization, district or annual conference to a project authorized as such by the Connectional Table. Current World Service Special Gifts projects include the Africa University Endowment Fund, the Leonard Perryman Communications Scholarship for Ethnic Minority Students, the Methodist Global Education Fund, the National Anti-Gambling Project and the Lay Missionary Planting Network.
