MAY 2014

www.livingstoneuniversity.org

LIVINGSTONE LOOP2014 NOV

LivingStone International University exists to transform Africa through Christ-centered higher education.

More than 470 people gathered for LivingStone University Partners’ first LivingStone Gala and Benefit, October 7, 2014. It was an out-standing success celebrating what God has done in transforming the lives of the students at LIU.

Overwhelming support came from the event’s sponsors—more than 30 couples committed to sponsoring a table for the evening, which more than underwrote the event. Much of the leadership for the event came from co-chairs Mark and Kim Jacoby and Kasey and Lacie Pipes. Sponsorships, gifts and pledges totaled more than $208,000.

The evening opened with a surprise live video greeting from Living-Stone International University in Mbale, Uganda—despite the time difference (3 a.m. Mbale time), the students were thrilled to greet the Gala and Benefit crowd.

Highlights of the evening included live performances from the LIU Melodies choir, a story of overcom-ing insurmountable odds from an LIU professor, Zechariah Manyok, an inspiring live testimony from Mercy Auma, an LIU student, and a moving message about the transfor-mational power of love from Bob Goff, the evening’s special guest.

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LIVINGSTONE UNIVERSITY PARTNERS

Outstanding Success: First LivingStone Gala and Benefit

Bob Goff, author of the New York Times Best-Selling book Love Does, inspired more than 470 LivingStone Gala and Benefit attendees as the headline speaker for the evening.

One of LIU’s primary focuses is technological proficiency—ensur-ing students have daily access to computers is one way that LIU is setting itself apart from other Ugandan universities. The students that have engaged in summer jobs and internships have been complimented many times on their ability to use the computer. They have been much more famil-iar with computer programs and how to use the internet than their supervisors and coworkers.

LIU students use these programs on a regular basis—for classes, projects, and personal use. They have been encouraged to practice every day.

For programming and web design, database, operating systems, and network extensions, students are using: Adobe Premier, PowerPoint, Publisher, Excel, Word, Visual Stu-dio, my SQL, PHP, Oracle, Ubuntu, Linux, and Cisco, and others.

Technologically Proficient:Equipping LIU with software, databases, and programs

LIVINGSTONE UNIVERSITY PARTNERS

Gala and Ben e f i t2014 LIVINGSTONE

LOVEtransforms

LIVINGSTONE UNIVERSITY PARTNERS

Please visit: livingstoneuniversity.org for more photos from the evening!

LivingStone University Partners hosted a book-signing and reception with Bob Goff for sponsors and special guests before the event.

Bob Goff sharing one of the many stories during the evening.

Craig Smith, LUP Executive Director, emceed and hosted the evening.

By video, Zechariah Manyok shared his incredible journey as a child soldier in South Sudan to becoming a professor at LIU.

Joseph Mulabbi, a senior LIU student, greeted the crowd from Uganda at 3 a.m. Mbale time by Skyping with the audience.

Mercy Auma, an LIU student, interviewed by Emily Renken, LUP Marketing and Communications Manager, shared her personal testimony and how LIU has transformed her life.

Mark and Kim Jacoby, along with Kasey and Lacie Pipes, were the event co-chairs.

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We have so much to be thankful for at LIU! Our students are progressing in ways that even amaze us as we watch God’s plan unfold in their lives. You will read about some of those lives in this issue of our newsletter.

The next big step for our 26 seniors is their graduation. We are focused on getting them to the finish line—prepared spiritually, ethically and with high-level marketable skills.

Their successful internships are positive proof they are on the right track. We need your help to get them the rest of the way there.

Our recent Gala was such a blessing from God. He made that event possible and meaningful as almost 500 people gathered to give thanks to Him and celebrate LIU.

Thank you for your prayers and financial support, for volunteering, and for your commitment to change in Africa through Christian higher education. We are thankful to come alongside God’s plan and are so thankful you are part of that plan.

For His university,

Craig Smith LUP Executive Director

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Student Activity GrowthWhile students are busy preparing for the end of the semester and final exams, LIU has created many oppor-tunities for students to get involved in extra-curricular activities, allow-ing students to live in a well-rounded community.

Musical instruments have been purchased for the chapel services to encourage more students to contrib-ute, using their musical talents. A skit group has been formed to strengthen spiritual development in the chapel ministry.

The student guild has created a Volunteer Club, at the request of the upperclassmen, which serves the university in keeping the campus or-derly. The juniors and seniors wanted to lead by example and show the

freshmen and sophomores that they can take ownership in keeping the campus beautiful andlearning how to serve without expecting anything in return.

The business students, working through the Educate Club, have been exploring an opportunity to train students in how to make liquid soap, and have written a proposal to present to the LIU administration to supply LIU with the soap.

The students in the Communications and Media Technology program have created a networking program in partnership with Uganda Christian University to focus on relationships that can be developed in the future.

Ten students recently were involved in organizing and attending a regional debate at Busiteme University, which was sponsored by Human Rights Uganda, a private organization that teaches leadership skills through advocating for the underprivileged.

The student guild members are also encouraging a fun environment for students to bond and create memories together. They organize movie nights, game nights, tennis and table tennis tournaments, and are currently working on big plans for the end of the semester party.

DEAR FRIENDS:

Craig Smith, LUP Executive Director, emceed and hosted the evening.

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LIVINGSTONE UNIVERSITY PARTNERS

Convocation Fall Semester 2014

David Ojera, a Ugandan national, proudly holds the Uganda flag during the processional march.

The LIU Melodies opened the ceremony by leading the crowd in praise and worship.

The new freshmen greeted the rest of the student body from the front of the room.

The students gathered for a quick photo after the celebration service. Dennis Okoth and Henry Buregea welcome the new students and families to LIU.

While LIU received 102 applications from academically qualified students, a dramatic increase compared to previous years, enrollment was below projection with 31 new students. Those 31 students still comprise the second largest class in LIU’s short history.

The LIU admissions team employed a more comprehensive strategy

that resulted in the larger applicant pool including targeted social media plans, personalized follow-ups from staff and students, professional radio ads, hosting college days at LIU, and redesigning the LIU website. “LIU leadership will carefully research this and find out all we can to learn how best to move forward with future plans for enrollment,”

said Craig Smith, LUP Executive Director. “Our reputation in the classroom and through our mentor-ing program is growing, and there’s no doubt that LIU is changing lives, but enrollment demand continues to surprise us, at times.” “We are committed to doing an exceptional job with every student God does entrust to us,” said Smith.

Enrollment Less than Expected for Fall 2014

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With a few years of work experience completed and a devout Muslim family background, Rhemy Nakyagaba has a unique appreciation for embracing the opportunity to attend a Christian university.

After completing her primary and secondary education, she pursued a diploma in education in 2009. Then she got a job teaching literature in a sec-ondary school. The school asked her to lie about test scores and, when she refused, withheld her paychecks and caused problems for her in the classroom.

Rhemy had heard about Christianity when she was pursuing her diploma in edu-cation. She wanted to learn how to pray and decided to pray every day. Through-out her employment at the secondary school, she prayed and started understanding how to hear God’s voice. When she decided to leave the secondary school and pursue her bachelor’s degree, she knew that her decision to

join LIU was led by the Lord and she converted to Chris-tianity.

Rhemy brings a different per-spective to the classroom. She has seen and experienced the reality of a corrupt employer first-hand, and understands the value of honesty. She said that when she interacts with the other students, she en-courages them to take heart in what LIU is teaching them.

Her family refused to speak to her after she converted to Christianity. Rhemy has not given up hope on restoring her relationship with them and daily commits her family to prayer.

During this faith transition, she has found belonging in her family at LIU. Rhemy has been so pleased with the character and love that is shown within the LIU community. It is consistent with what she understands of the Lord.

“It is true that everything is based on Jesus Christ,” Rhe-my explained with a smile.

2014 NOV

Student Spotlight: Rhemy Nakyagaba

Year: First Year

Degree: Communications and Media

“Everything—in the classrooms, chapel, offices, and dorms—is based on the teach-ings of Jesus Christ. This is a true Christian community.”

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Fully Accredited Degree Programs

LIVINGSTONE UNIVERSITY PARTNERS

LIU has been working closely with members of the National Council of Higher Education (NCHE) to ensure that its degree programs are held to the highest international standards,

ensuring a high-level of success in the quality of LIU’s graduates. This process has given faculty and staff the opportunity to tweak, edit, and define the standards of LIU’s aca-demic objectives.

Even though LIU had submitted its curricula to the NCHE some time ago, the process was just recently completed with full accreditation granted by that governing body that oversees all Ugandan universities.

FACULTY FOCUS Martin Kuria

The LIU faculty family is growing, further inspiring LIU’s reputation for excel-lence. One of the new faces around campus is Martin Kuria, a Kenyan with a bachelor’s degree in Elec-tronic Media and a master’s degree in Corporate Com-munication.

Martin brings work experi-ence as a Communications Officer in several non- governmental organizations. He has worked at the biggest media company in Kenya, Royal Media services, and has served as Marketing and Sales Manager for several East African musicians. He raised funds for Daystar

University and traveled to over 17 states in the U.S. leading their choir.

Martin brings expertise to the classroom, but has also been able to spend time training LIU Melodies, LIU’s student-led choir. “My passion has now been deepened because I not only get to teach communications, but also work with the talented musicians on campus.

“LIU has a vibrant cultural experience which leaves a person feeling enriched by faces coming from all these different countries in Africa.”

“LIU is transforming lives, helping communities, discouraging poverty, and transforming how people think. This is why I was attracted to LIU.”

Martin Kuria, a seasoned musician, working with a few members of the choir.

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Fully Accredited Degree Programs

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Fruit Juice for Tuition FeesAnita Ngadie, a Christian Ministry student from Sierra Leone, is taking her tuition payments seriously.

She was exposed to practical business methods in one of her general education classes, and decided to test them out. When she is not studying, singing in the choir, at soccer practice, or playing Jenga with the other students, Anita can be found making fruit salad and fruit juice to sell to stu-dents and staff at LIU.

Not only has she paid her tuition through her fruit busi-ness profits, she has started hiring a few of the students to

go to the market and purchase the fruit for her. She is able to stay organized and keep track of her payments by using an excel spreadsheet that she put together in one of her business classes.

She said having practical busi-ness skills coupled with her Christian Ministry degree will serve her well in the future.

“I am able to help my fellow students, sell delicious juice, and pay my tuition bills.”

While Anita is involved in many clubs and activities at LIU, she also had the second highest GPA last semester.

“If workplaces in Uganda enforced time management like we have done at soccer practices, just think how productive people would be at their jobs!” - Moses Dipak, LIU soccer team manager

2014 NOV

Learning how to achieve balance between their schoolwork and athlet-ics is allowing the members of the LIU soccer team to foster a strong work ethic both on and off the field. Moses Dipak, the team’s manager and student coach, has inspired and encouraged his players to set goals and practice beyond the normal standard.

In most activities or gatherings in Uganda, showing up late is not offensive. In the past, practices

would run for 90 minutes, but some students would not show up until 60 minutes in.

Inspired by his professors’ strict standards in regards to time manage-ment, Moses encouraged his players to start showing up to practice early. This seems like a small victory, but in a culture where time management is not as important, showing up on time is evidence that LIU is redefining the way students think.

“We have seen remarkable strides in consistency and team unity when everyone shows up together. I often think to myself, “Wow! Why didn’t we start enforcing time management earlier?”

The members of the soccer team have noticed an improved change, and have discussed how implementing a strict schedule in the rest of their lives could make an extraordinary difference.

From the Field to the Workplace

Martin Kuria, a seasoned musician, working with a few members of the choir.

Anita Ngadie is an exceptional student and a contributing and valued member of the LIU community.

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“Many universities are producing graduates, but end up failing since they never went through vital and necessary training. Of course we are getting equipped and trained at LIU, but I must see to it that I am busy contributing to make that success happen.

As the current Guild President, the office and position will come and go, but the instilled leadership quality in me is what will transform Africa.”

- Joseph Oloba, Student Guild President