|
Bishop Preston Warren Williams II
The President's Word
Allen, Other HBCU's, Still Relevant
Five Ph.D.'s Join University Faculty
67 Graduate in 2004 Commencement
Allen, Tom Joyner Foundation Team up to
Provide Scholarships
Allen Announces New Leadership |
| |
|
| |
 |
Bishop
Preston Warren Williams II
The Right Reverend Preston Warren Williams II is the 119th elected
and consecrated Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
He presides over the Seventh Episcopal District, which encompasses
the State of South Carolina. He previously presided over the 17th
Episcopal District, which includes the Central African nations of
the Democrat Republic of the Congo (Zaire), Zimbabwe, Zambia, Burundi,
Tanzania, Rwanda and Malawi.
He is a gifted preacher, teacher, manager and social activist. He
is often sought after for his creative depth of interpretation of
God’s message of reconciliation for His people. |
| |
Bishop Williams earned
a Bachelor of Science from Southeastern University, Master of Divinity
from Turner Theological Center in Atlanta, attended Yale University
Divinity School and earned his Doctorate Degree from American University’s
Wesley Theological Seminary. He has also received several honorary
degrees, including Doctor of Law, Daniel Payne College (Birmingham,
Ala.); Doctor of Humane Letters, Lee Theological Seminary (Jacksonville,
Fla.); Doctor of Humane Letters, Morris Brown College (Atlanta, Ga.);
Doctorate of Divinity, Jackson Seminary (Little Rock, Arkansas).
At the time of his election, he served as the senior pastor of Allen
Temple AME Church in Atlanta, Ga. He pastured St. Paul AME Church
for 16 years, where his life and ministry affirmed his commitment
to God’s call on his life. Over 5,000 souls have received Christ
under his ministry.
Bishop Williams’ vision and astute and inspiring leadership
have led congregations to experience renewed hope and spiritual revival.
At St. Paul, he renovated a quarter of a million dollar sanctuary,
built a multimillion dollar Family Life Center, initiated the purchase
of a 33-unit apartment complex for homeless mothers and children,
and expanded the congregation’s outreach ministries. The Family
Life Center touches the life of youth, young adults and seniors. At
Bethel AME Church in Augusta, Ga., he renovated the church’s
community involvement. Under his leadership at Saint Mark AME Church,
the church purchased a new edifice and 17 acres of land to implement
many outreach and community partnerships; the membership increased
to 1,500. Also at Saint Mark, the church was also renovated, and an
educational building was constructed. At Trinity AME Church (Atlanta,
Ga.), the church purchased their current multimillion dollar complex
that resulted in an increase in ministries including the use of the
facility for additional classroom space for Atlanta’s Public
Schools. At Paradise AME Church (Jefferson, Ga.), the church purchased
three acres of land to build its edifice.
His commitment to self-help, faith perseverance and hard work is evident
in his pastorates in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. His ministry
exemplified structural acquisition, renewal and expansion, as well
as spiritual growth and development.
Bishop Williams is a champion of political and economical empowerment,
business enterprise development and evangelism. He served as the treasurer
of the Sixth Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal
Church (State of Georgia), and is a member of the Turner Theological
Seminary Board where he served as the Controller of Finance. Under
his leadership the school was able to construct a $2 million student
dormitory and administration office.
He has served as a member of the General Assembly of the World Council
of Churches, has been chosen as Distinguished Churchman of the State
of Georgia, and served as Director of Communications in radio and
television for the State of Georgia reaching over 100,000 Georgians.
His concern for social action is evident in his leadership involvement
within the community. He is a member of the NAACP, Free and Accepted
Masons, Urban League, and the Democratic Party. He also served on
President Jimmy Carter’s Inaugural Committee and was a member
of his Transitional team from 1975-76.
He was actively involved in Atlanta’s Board of Education, serving
as President, Vice President, Chairman of the Superintendent Search
Committee and Chairman of the Finance committee, where he was responsible
for the plans and management of $430 million budget with a $160 million
referendum that was passed by the citizens of Atlanta in support of
the Board.
He is married to the former Wilma Delores Webb of Leeds, Ala., and
they are the proud parents of four children: Arnold Andre; twin daughters
Wilma Priscila, Stella Jacinta; and Prestina Delores.
back to top |
| |
The President's
Word |
 |
Allen University still maintains her proud
tradition of educating young African American men and women. I am
pleased to recap some of the highlights of the 2003-2004 academic
year in this report.
In the midst of budget cutbacks and scarce resources, Allen University
continues to benefit from the generosity of the AME Church, particularly
the Seventh Episcopal District. Under the able leadership of the Right
Reverend Preston Warren Williams, II the school continues to strive
toward financial viability and academic
excellence. The spiritual infusion brought by Bishop Williams to the
Seventh Episcopal District has also impacted the University. Students
testify often of the numerous outpourings of financial and moral support
from presiding elders, pastors, missionaries, and alumni. Thus, Allen
University remains an authentic Christian liberal arts college. |
STUDENT LIFE
• Student enrollment for Fall of 2004 is 657 students.
•
Complete renovations of Dinning facilities.
• Several students
once again participated in the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge.
• Student internships included jobs as pages for the South Carolina
General Assembly as well as working in other businesses and institutions.
• Sixty-seven (67) students graduated at Commencement 2004.
Graduates received degrees in business administration, music, elementary
education, religion, social science and mathematics.
ACADEMIC
PROGRAMS
• A state-of-the-art reading and writing
lab opened in March 2004. The lab was made possible through funding
from the Wachovia Bank.
• A newly opened Technology Center
is assisting in bridging the "digital divide." One of the
university properties was renovated to accommodate a computer center
that will serve both the students and the community. Over 100 printers
computers were donated by the Wachovia Corporation.
• We
completed the first draft of a strategic plan for the next five years.
FINANCE
Allen University's annual budget is approximately $10 million. We
receive more than $1 million annually from the Seventh Episcopal District
and over $300,000 from the General Church, for which we are very grateful.
Allen University remains a primarily tuition-driven institution. Over
the past year, we have made efforts to partner with Columbia's business
community, as well as corporate America. Some of our efforts are highlighted
below:
• Creation of an Advisory Council.
• Corporate
initiative with Michelin North America that include training and career
development for students.
• A growing relationship with
BellSouth that includes support and professional development for faculty
and staff.
• Establishment of a relationship with Eastman
Kodak Corporation.
FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS —
RESTRICTED AND UNRESTRICTED
• General AME Church
- $300,000
• Seventh Episcopal District - $565,000
•
2004 Series of Annual Conferences - $56,000
• The Tom Joyner
Foundation - $293,000
• BellSouth - $20,000
•
Private Donations - $126,000
• HUD HBCU Grant - $550,000
• Federal Appropriations - $2,000,000
• Anonymous
Gift - $900,000
• S.C. Technology Alliance (In-Kind) - $100,000
• Columbia Housing Authority (2 Parcels of Land) - $85,000
• United Supreme Council Charitable Foundation - $4,000
• Blue Cross Blue Shield of S.C. - 121 Computers
DICKERSON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
One of the more visible signs of Allen University's partnership for
progress with the Seventh Episcopal District of the African Methodist
Episcopal Church is its commitment to educating clergy and laity.
Allen's religion major, also known as the "nontraditional program,"
educates laity — as well as clergy — and assists them
in meeting the spiritual needs of their congregations and communities.
The resultant education leads to a Bachelor of Arts in Religion.
The laity, clergy and aspiring clergy attend weekend classes and are
afforded the same core liberal arts education as the institution's
daily full-time students. Each student receives an intense education
that includes religious studies and an intimate understanding of the
polity and practices of the Church. Twenty-three (23) religion students
received their baccalaureate degree in 2004.
back to top |
Allen,
Other HBCU's, Still Relevant |
 |
In an era when the history of Americans
of African de-scent is finally being celebrated, Allen University
continues to exemplify living history. In 1870 — a few short
years after the end of the Civil War — the African Methodist
Episcopal Church in South Carolina saw the need for an institution
to educate people of color not simply to survive, but to excel.
Many today have questioned whether historically black colleges and
universities still have a role to play in the 21st century. As president
of Allen University, I can assure you that they do. Many of those
who at-tend Allen are the students who get little consideration from
the "major" universities. Allen welcomes all students, regardless
of where they are academically, and takes them to where they need
to be. |
What do world-class Greenville
sprinter Richard Kerns, former AARP President Margaret Abner Dixon,
civil rights pioneer Rev. Joseph A. DeLaine, Lemoyne-Owen College
President James G. Wingate and seven members of the South Carolina
Legislative Black Caucus have in common? All are graduates of Allen.
Allen provides an education laced with the principles of faith and
self-awareness passed down to us by our founders. Allen provides a
diverse environment, where those from "blue rib-bon" schools
and "struggling" schools grow, learn and
prepare to achieve together.
That need has special relevance today, for we live not in 1870, but
in 2004. In 1870, students came to Allen University in horse-drawn
transportation, and the fruits of an agrarian society were possible
tender for tuition. In 2004, students at all institutions of higher
learning have to meet the demands of rising tuition that must be paid
in cold, hard cash, for tuition is the lifeblood of any institution
of higher learning.
Many of the students who choose Allen University come from households
of modest means and do not come with the benefit of state-sponsored
scholarships. If the American dream is to be a blessed reality and
not a cruel nightmare, then an affordable higher education must be
a reasonable option for all young people seeking to achieve.
As is the case with most historically black colleges, Allen has seen
its share of lean fiscal times, but has overcome them and continued
to thrive. Allen University remains faithful to its original mission,
but now also offers degree programs in nine areas, including biology,
business administration, chemistry, English, education, mathematics,
music, religion and social science.
Allen also offers nontraditional studies for those who want a college
education, but must also work to support themselves and their families,
through our EXCEL Program. We celebrate the fact that what began in
1870 as little more than a "one-room schoolhouse" is now
a fully accredited member institution of the Southern Association
of Colleges and Schools.
We encourage citizens of all colors and cultures to consider Allen
as a re-source for a quality education, and to contribute to enabling
the University to better fulfill its mission of "teaching the
mind to think, the hands to work and the heart to love." This
year afforded a unique opportunity for Allen University sup-porters
to do so.
Allen University is pleased to have been selected as a 2004 "School
of the Month" by The Tom Joyner Foundation. Since 1998, the Foundation
has raised more than $19 million for thousands of deserving students
at 66 historically black colleges across the United States. Allen
was featured on the nationally syndicated Tom Joyner Morning Show
throughout the month of March and many of our students received much-needed
scholarship assistance. In fact, 10o percent of funds raised by and
on behalf of Allen between now and November will be awarded by the
foundation to Allen's Office of Financial Aid for disbursement to
deserving students.
Some of those funds came via the University's 2004 Blue and Gold Banquet,
featuring Essie Mae Washington-Williams, on February 28. The month
of March maybe over, but individual and corporate contributions toward
student scholar-ships are always welcome and greatly appreciated.
As President of Allen University, I encourage all citizens, organizations
and businesses of goodwill to share in this effort. You won't just
be supporting a "black institution," you'll be supporting
an American institution that allows those of-ten overlooked by society
to pursue the American dream.
back to top
School News Page
2 |
| |
| |
