Join Students and Presidents for Higher Education Night

The Africa University traveling choir performs during the Africana dinner and worship event hosted in 2008 by Black Methodists for Church Renewal in Fort Worth, Texas. UMNS photo by Mike DuBose.

Delegates, bishops, and others attending General Conference 2012 are invited to join students and presidents from some of the 120 United Methodist-related schools, colleges, universities, and theological schools and 520 campus ministries for a higher education ministry fair on April 30.

The fair will include food and three stages with continuous entertainment provided by students from the higher education institutions related to The United Methodist Church, including the Africa University Choir and several other student choirs.

“We’ll also have a drama group and a Mariachi band,” said Gerald Lord, associate general secretary, Division of Higher Education, General Board of Higher Education and Ministry. “The focus will be on the students and what education at a church-related institution or involvement in a campus ministry has meant to them.”

“Everyone is welcome; so we are not sending invitations. We will have student food: pizza, sliders, salad, and more. This will be different from previous Higher Education Nights which featured a seated dinner and speeches. Delegates and others will be able to mingle and see the stories about the impact our institutions have in shaping leaders for the church and society,” Lord said.

The ministry fair will be held from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in Ballrooms B, C, and D on the first floor of the Tampa Convention Center.