On yesterday I had an opportunity to do some quick reading at the local public library. One of the periodicals available for readers is Black Enterprise (BE). The cover story for this month's issue spotlights the 50 best colleges for African American students. For those familiar with the publication US News & World Report this BE story is similar to US News' annual ranking of the top 50 colleges and universities in the US. The BE ranking consists of both HBCUs and majority white institutions. I was quite pleased to see that 3 of the top 20 colleges ranked by BE represent institutions where I have previously worked. However, I was disappointed to find that none of the AME supported colleges made the top 50 ranking. Since the university personnel who participated in the BE ranking are disproportionately black, it is unlikely that these participants are not aware of these sectarian instituions. The uncomfortable truth today is neither parents, high school counselors, college administrators, employers, prospective students and perhaps even AME alumni place great educational value on our AME supported institutions of higher learning. Many of you know that it is not rocket science to build and maintain a truly great college. If 1 million AMEs would donate a mere 100 annually the possibilities of a medical and law school would be a reality. In addition to the obvious inputs (endowment, operations, capital expenditures, high performing students) the task requires some key intangibles (vision, committment, self-sacrifice). If not now, when? If not us, who? As usual, Jesus captures the essence of our predicaments - "The harvest is truly plentiful, but the laborers are few". QED

-- Anonymous, January 03, 2003

Answers

I second your profound observation with a resounding "Amen!"

-- Anonymous, January 03, 2003

Professor Dickens,

Thanks for such insightful comments. "If 1 million AMEs would donate a mere 100 annually the possibilities........." Professor Dickens, I would be delighted to be a part of this effort. However, where is the leadership to realize this goal? Can you, Jeryl, Brother Robert Matthews, Brother Brangman, or Brother John Fisher use your influence to get the Bishops to create this program? One of my attractions to this denomination was as you said it, "the possibilities".

Jazzman

-- Anonymous, January 07, 2003

Jazzman you have the heart of Christ! God bless you. One of the things I love about our denomination is laity, I have never seen such creative and hard working laity as I have in this denomination. The real power within our denomination is within our organizations such as the Lay organization, sons of allen, wms, ypd etc. If every organization committed to at least one big fundraiser a year. We would have a sizeable sum to aid all of our colleges. Every great movement began with one person. Jazzman you can start in your church with your sons of allen and ask that they could up with a project to raise money. One of my hopes this year for the board is that we will come up with concrete suggestions to implement some of these great ideas. Barbara Robinson President of the Michigan Conference Lay organization would be a great person to contact for ideas. Also the director of our denomination Lay activity would be a great resource also. Our pastors in Africa will also be good resources to contact for we have A.M.E school in Africa also. We can do it, I have learned from experience that if I have a great idea God usually wants me to do it, so let's throw the ball back to Bill Dickens how do we implement your idea?

-- Anonymous, January 07, 2003