Meet Our Donors

We thank all our donors for their generous support. Here are some of their stories.




Rev. Robert (Bob)Carpenter and Rev. Jan Libby Reimers

Rev. Robert (Bob)Carpenter and Rev. Jan Libby Reimers

Bob Carpenter was born and reared in Mississippi. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Asbury College in 1956, a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Candler School of Theology at Emory in 1959, and a master’s degree from Washington University in 1972.

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Dr. Gerald A. Close

Dr. Gerald A. Close

Dr. Gerald A. Glose knew from an early age that he wanted to be a missionary. He was born and reared on a farm near Cando, North Dakota, and attended a Methodist church in his youth. He received his B. A. degree from Taylor University in 1953 and his medical degree from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in 1957.

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Mr. Charles W.  (Chuck) Foster, III and Mrs. Laverne C. Foster

Mr. Charles W. (Chuck) Foster, III and Mrs. Laverne C. Foster

Charles W. “Chuck” Foster, III and Laverne C. Foster are long-time supporters of Africa University. They first learned of and were inspired to support Africa University by the late Bishop Roy C. Nichols, who was an extended family member of Chuck’s mother, the late Isabelle J. Foster.

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Dr. Craig W. George and Mrs. Shirley George

Dr. Craig W. George and Mrs. Shirley George

Craig George and Shirley George (née Overholt) are long-time supporters of Africa University and are charter members of the Richard E. “Dick” Reeves Legacy Society, having been inducted in 2001.

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Rev. William E. (Bill) Lovell and Mrs. Beverly Lovell

Rev. William E. (Bill) Lovell and Mrs. Beverly Lovell

Bill and Beverly Lovell are charter members of the Legacy Society, having been inducted in 2001 for establishing an endowed scholarship in memory of Bill’s missionary parents, the late Rev. Marshall Lovell and Mrs. Eloise Groover Lovell.

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Rev. Dr. Kenneth R. Lutgen, Jr. and Mrs. Linda L. Lutgen

Rev. Dr. Kenneth R. Lutgen, Jr. and Mrs. Linda L. Lutgen

This past June 11th, Ken and Linda celebrated fifty-three years of marriage. They met during their junior year at Center High School in Kansas City, Missouri, and married while they were students at the University of Missouri Kansas City.

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Mr. G. Jackson (Jack) Miller

Mr. G. Jackson (Jack) Miller

G. Jackson “Jack” Miller was born in Lewistown, Pennsylvania on December 23, 1928. He was a 1946 graduate of Lewistown High School. He was the founder, owner, and operator of Miller’s Wholesale Florist, Inc. in Altoona, Lewiston, and Williamsport from 1950-1972. He retired in 1990.

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Rev. Dr. Craig S. Paterson and Mrs. Carole A. Paterson

Rev. Dr. Craig S. Paterson and Mrs. Carole A. Paterson

Craig and Carole Paterson have been small group facilitators and trainers in a variety of venues for over 25 years. Together they lead workshops using participatory and interactive group methods to increase the capacity of individuals and organizations to fulfill their non-profit missions.

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Mr . Timothy Pokrywka

Mr . Timothy Pokrywka

Timothy Pokrywka is a professional civil engineer and life-long United Methodist. He was blessed to have parents who saw the value in having a good education as the foundation to a life of service and leadership. He is employed by the California State Department of Transportation and manages a gifted and talented staff of 40.

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