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Apportionments Black College Fund

Our bishop, Robert E. Hayes Jr., is a product of one of our United Meth­odist predominantly black colleges-Huston- Tillotson University in Austin, Texas. His grandfather and father, also United Methodist ministers, were educated at Wiley College, another of our predominantly black colleges, located in Marshall, Texas. In addition, his father served as president of Wiley College for many years.

Immediately following the Civil War, the Method­ist Church was quick to recognize its responsibility to provide educational opportunities for young, newly freed blacks who had previously been denied access to colleges. There are now 11 predominantly black colleges-including one medical school-owned by The United Methodist Church.

Almost 80 percent of the students who enroll in these schools are "first generation" college students, i.e., their parents did not attend college. (The national average in all schools is 45 percent.) The students are from diverse social, economic and educational backgrounds, and they receive affirmation and sup­port in vibrant, academically challenging, spiritual environments. Graduates include numerous ministers and bishops, teachers, doctors, judges, scientists, artists, entrepreneurs and journalists.

This is an apportionment to all of the United Methodist annual confer­ences supporting schools located in the South Central and Southeastern Jurisdictions. Those in our South Central Jurisdiction are Dillard University in New Orleans, Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Huston-Tillotson University, and Wiley College.

Approximately 83 percent of these funds is used in operations, and the remaining 17 percent is reserved for capital improvements. These are dol­lars that make a significant difference in the lives of many people. They are directly impacting our annual conference through the leadership of our bishop.