Vice Chancellor back from USA

The Vice Chancellor is back from the United States where he attended a joint retreat of the Daystar US Board, the University Management Board and the University Council. He arrived on Wednesday, April 19.

Fees payment

This a kind reminder to all students that fees balances must be cleared before examinations commence on May 4. For any clarifications kindly see the Finance Manager.

It's farewell to Dr. Bruce Edwards

Dr. Bruce Edwards who has been teaching in Daystar for the last one year on a Fullbright scholarship is returning to the US this week. Dr. Edwards is a visiting professor of English from Bowling Green State University. He was accompanied to Daystar with his wife Joan and two sons, Justin and Michael.

At a farewell luncheon held in honour of Dr. Edwards, the Acting DVC Academic and Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Dr. Mary Muchiri, acknowledged the vital contribution Dr. Edwards has made to Daystar's academic life. Dr. Edwards joined the Department of Language and Literature in August last year. Besides classroom teaching, Dr. Edwards organised seminars for his department and for the entire University. These include C.S. Lewis: An Introduction to His Writings and Apologetics seminar on March 22, Effective Research on the Internet seminar on March 31, and Proposal Writing seminar. He participated in the curriculum review seminar for the Department of General Education, the launch of the Philosophical Association of Daystar University (PADU), made contributions to the Ph.D. committee, and supervised Masters theses and Senior projects for graduate students.

Speaking at the same function, the chairperson of the Language and Literature Department, Mrs. Purity Kiambi, thanked Dr. Edwards for other contributions to the department such as steering a committee to map out the future of the department which enabled the department to produce a departmental course brochure, and managing the Language Resource Centre. Representing the Vice Chancellor was the Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology, Dr. Jon Masso who also paid tribute to Dr. Edwards's invaluable contribution to Daystar. Present also were other faculty from the Language and Literature Department, Mr. Ahmed Haile representing PADU, and student representatives.

International Aid visit

Next Wednesday, April 26 nine friends will be visiting Daystar from International Aid in Springfield, USA. The group will be led by Dr. John Mulder, chairman of International Aid. Others in the group include Mrs. Judith Mulder, Miss Emilia Mulder, John and Mary Loeks, Robert and Judith Risselade, and Renard and Marilyn Kolasa.

On arrival, the group will visit the site for the Medical Clinic under construction accompanied by the university doctor, Teresiah Omwoyo, and Public Relations staff before touring the Athi River campus. Later on they will have tea with the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Stephen Talitwala and other University administrators. International Aid has given a substantial contribution towards the construction of the new medical centre building, besides giving medical supplies to the Daystar clinic over the years. The group will later interact with the DVC Administration Mr. Benjamin Makuyu, Dr. Teresiah Omwoyo and other medical staff, the Acting DVCEAcademic Dr. Baruck Opiyo, Acting Finance Manager Mr. Kenneth Muriuki, the Director of Student Development Dr. Washington Kamau, Wood Workshop Manager, Mr. Rogers Ndege, Public Relations staff, and Sing Africa.

Park Avenue Church

Also visiting the Athi River campus on May 4 will be Park Avenue United Methodist Church from USA. The group, led by Pastor Peter Singletary will include Pamela Singletary, Mary Stilley, Charlotte Straw, and Randy Wuori. On arrival, the group will attend Chapel, tour the campus, and interact with University administrators over tea and lunch. They will also meet with one of their sponsored students. Among those hosting them will be the Vice Chancellor Prof. Stephen Talitwala, the DVCEAdministration Mr. Benjamin Makuyu, the Director of Student Development Dr. Washington Kamau, Financial Aid Officer Mrs. Dorothy Muroki, the Acting Dean, Faculty of Arts, Dr. Mary Muchiri, the head of Commerce Mr. Ernest Najoli, the Registrar, Mrs. Nkita Arao, and the Dean of Students, Mr. David Thuku.

The Arusha conference

Last week, Pastor Patrick Musembi and Miss Agnes Makau from the Department of Biblical and Religious Studies, represented Daystar at the conference for the Association of Theological Institutions in Eastern Africa (ATIEA). The conference was held at Sokoine University in Arusha, Tanzania. Other institutions in attendance included Makumira University College, Tangaza College from Nairobi, Uganda Christian University in Mukono, Makerere University, Moi University, Kenyatta University, University of Eastern Africa (Baraton), and St. Paul's Theological College in Limuru. The conference discussions centered on the paradigm shift of Christianity which has given Africa a new leadership responsibility and the need to correct patriarchal Christianity in Africa. Students attending the conference evaluated the content and methodology of African Christian theology and made their recommendations. They also expressed the need for a comprehensive textbook for the course. The two faculty members thanked the university administration for enabling them to attend the conference.

DCF handing over

The Daystar Christian Fellowship held its handing-over ceremony on April 19, at the Athi River campus. The new team comprises Enock Mate as chairman, David Kairo (vice chairman), Pamela Murugi (secretary), Emma Munyambu (vice secretary), and Abraham Agumba (treasurer). Other sub-committee officials are Timothy Mathenge (Worship Team), Rebecca Nzioki (Intercessory) Gabriel Gatere (Service Team), Tito Wambua (Bible Study), Joel Ng'etich (Evangelism Team), Catherine Njeru (Sunday School), Janet Adongo (Dance Team), Stephen Njoroge (Men's Fellowship), Nelius Ngumba (Ladies Fellowship), Charles Miriti (Married Men's Fellowship), Dorothy Mbogo (Instrumentalists Team), Petra (Sing Africa), Nourdeen Harman (Off-Campus Fellowship), and Solomon Munene (Needy Children Education Fund). The Chaplain, Rev. Matthews Mwalw'a commissioned the new team and urged them to love God and one another. The outgoing and incoming executives shared in the cutting of the cake to symbolise their unity in the service of Christ.

M-SAD dinner

The Marketing Students Association of Daystar (M-SAD) held their dinner at the Pan-Afric hotel on April 14, 2000. The theme of the dinner was "Being the Best." The chief guest was Mrs. Muthoni Wangai, the Commercial Director, Diversey Lever who also gave the keynote address. Mrs. Wangai challenged students not only to acquire skills in their various fields of study but also to cultivate qualities of integrity, hard work, and self-drive which she said were essential for "being the best." Also present at the dinner was Mrs. Jane Ngui, the patron of the club and her husband Mr. Chris Ngui, Mr. and Mrs. Onyango from KASNEB, Mr. Oscar Mbiyu, Academic Affairs Chairman (DUSA) and Mr. Charles Kisinga, the Chairman of A-SAD. Over 60 students attended the function. M-SAD thanks the Dean of Students, Mr. David Thuku, Human Resource Manager, Mrs. Catherine Kamau, Ms. Serah Akelola of Commerce department, Ms. Mildred Kimathi, Ms. Caroline Nduta and Mr. Muturi Njogu for ensuring the success of the event.

Faculty and senior staff Faculty and senior staff wishing to invite friends to the 22nd Graduation ceremony can pick graduation invitation cards from the Public Relations Offices of both campuses on Thursday, April 27 and Friday, April 28, 2000. We also ask you to respond to the invitation to the Graduation dinner that has been sent to you.

New transport contract

The Transport office wishes to inform the Daystar community that the contract with Akamba Bus Road Services ended last Friday, April 14. The University has signed a new contract with Eldoret Express bus company, which commenced on Monday, April 17 until the end of the year. We hope you enjoy the new services.

Bahati weds Gatere

Miss Bahati Mbaruku, former DUSA secretary for the Class of 99, and Mr. Gideon Gatere of the Class of O98, invite the entire Daystar community to their wedding on Friday May 5, 2000 at 4.30 p.m. The wedding will take place at the International Christian Centre, off Mombasa Road, and thereafter there will be an early dinner at the same place. The couple will be joined by Pastor Philip Kitoto, share in the Holy Communion, and later on share a fellowship meal with their guests. The ceremony will end at 7.30 p.m.