In a previous thread, Bill Dickens response to a post regarding helping Morris Brown and suggests that the poster attend the Higher education summit. Bill that is a great idea for everyone. Thank you for suggesting it. Below is a Press Release from Bishop Richardson.

Press Release

The Council of Bishops of the African Methodist Episcopal Church has authorized me to announce a Summit on Higher Education. The continuous struggles of our educational institutions are both expensive and competitive in the global educational environment. The Summit on Higher Education will provide a forum in which the AME Church can begin to brainstorm about the future course of our denominational ministry of education with an emphasis on higher education.

On behalf of the Council of Bishops, I am pleased to issue this urgent call to all stakeholders in the AME Church's higher education enterprise to join us in Birmingham, Alabama, December 3 - 4, 2003. The Summit will convene at the Sheraton Hotel, following Convo 7, hosted by Bishop and Mrs. T. Larry Kirkland and the Ninth Episcopal District.

Among the matters to be considered at this two-day forum will be the following: · The historic mission and legacy of the AME Church in higher education · The place and mission of Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the 21st Century · What do we mean when we say, "AMEC college?" · The nature and limitations of denominational involvement in the administrative and campus life of the institutions · The role of religion, Christian theology, values and practice at AMEC colleges · Governance at AMEC school: strengthening Boards of Trustees an evaluating AME Church prerogatives · The role and strength of alumni associations among Historically Black Colleges and Universities · Quality of programs and public image of AMEC institutions of higher education · Long-term and short-term strategies for institutional development and vitality · Denominational capacity to sustain and increase financial support for AMEC institutions · Considering alternatives to higher education

These papers and conversations will provide the church with a small, though valuable, window of opportunity to develop appropriate legislation, recommendations and resolutions to be presented at the 47th Quadrennial Session of the General Conference, July 2004.

Bishops, General Officers, General Board members, the Commission on Higher Education, college presidents and appropriate support personnel, academicians, presidents and representatives of alumni associations, and all interested persons are invited to attend and participate.

Please make plans to join us in Birmingham for this very important Summit. The future of our educational institutions depends upon what we are prepared to do for them today.

Bishop Adam J. Richardson, Jr., Chair Summit on Higher Education .

-- Anonymous, August 16, 2003

Answers

Rev. Denise---

I am on the east cost and probably will not be able to attend this event, since I'm just a seminarian on a tight budget :) Will there be a recording or a written report concerning this initiative?

Thanks! Shaunna

-- Anonymous, August 18, 2003

I am just starting my application to be a licensed preacher in the AME church and I think one thing the summit on higher education should consider is a distance learning model. I'm entering the ministry at a advance time frame and a online distance learning program would be idea for me because of constraints of job and family Maybe another first!

-- Anonymous, September 21, 2003

Hello James -

Over the last 3-4 years I have been trying, albeit unsuccesfully, to get the AME College in my state (Edward Waters College) to embrace the idea of distance learning precisely for reasons that you state. With the current state of technology there is no reason why classes from our AME supported colleges cannot offer these classes via online/distance learning mediums. The population of professionals seeking 2nd careers is growing but many cannot make the committment to be physically present in a given city or state in order to satisfy residence requirements. I can assure you that when I participate in the Summitt in Birnmingham, AL I will discuss the importance of distance learning. QED

-- Anonymous, September 21, 2003