2020 Graduates Highlight Their Transformation and Gratitude
May 1, 2020 - Nashville, TN—Happy May Day or International Workers Day, depending on where you are. This day is celebrated with a public holiday throughout much of the world on May 1, and in North America, as Labor Day on September 7, 2020.
With Zimbabwe's COVID-19-related lockdown set to end this weekend, the country is reporting a total of 40 coronavirus cases, with five recoveries and four deaths to date. The African continent as a whole is reporting 39,018 confirmed cases, with 12,750 recoveries and 1,640 deaths as a result of COVID-19.
Here is today's Africa University (AU) update in a nutshell:
The majority of AU's students, faculty and staff are at home and doing well. As restrictions on movement and commerce continue, AU students are mobilizing to help families that are struggling to access food and other basic needs. About 220 students who could not get to their home countries due to travel and other restrictions are still on campus at Old Mutare in Zimbabwe. Small groups of staff members are providing essential services to campus residents and manufacturing hand sanitizer and face masks for public distribution.
Examinations will begin on May 11 and end on June 5. This year, they'll be done a little differently. Students will get their exams on the university's learning management platform, Moodle, and have a 48-hour window to submit their responses online.
Gratitude and Graduation:
As the academic year draws to a close, members of the class of 2020 are confronting the reality of a vastly different graduation day scenario than the one that they have been striving for and dreaming about for years.
Jacklyn Atotso is preparing to serve as a pastor in Kenya. For her, Saturday, June 13 was supposed to be a big day—full of joy and affirmation as families and friends gathered with the campus community to say well done. Jacklyn will miss the celebration. Click here for a brief video reflection where Jacklyn talks about what she is taking back to the church and the community.
For Zimbabwean Joseph Zishiri, the journey to graduation hasn't been easy but it has certainly been worth it. Click here for Joseph's reflection on how his AU education has transformed and prepared him for leadership. 
Both Atotso and Zishiri are completing their studies at Africa University with support from the institution's endowed scholarship funds.
Thank you for investing in the "School of Dreams in the Valley of Hope". Together, we are changing Africa: Learning here. Lving here. Leading here. Serving God. All the time. Everywhere.