LONNIE BEST-JARVIS IS NEW INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS MANAGER
Lonnnie Best-Jarvis is New International Programs Manager
We are happy to announce that Lonnie Best-Jarvis has been hired as The Albert Baker Fund's (ABF) new International Programs Manager.
"Lonnie draws on rich and varied experience working with several international non-profit organizations, developing and managing educational and social service programs, and serving the Cause of Christian Science all over the world," said CEO Alan Bashor. "We're delighted to have her on our team."
Lonnie is responsible for the recent launch of ABFs new online post-secondary application in Africa, in both English and French. "Her alertness to the needs of our international applicants, and tenacity in working out the details of the online application and instructions, as well as her fluency in French, enabled us to launch the program on time as planned," said Alan.
Lonnie will continue to manage the application process for international applicants and serve as a liaison with ABF's twenty international RVPs (Regional Vice Presidents) located in Africa, France, Germany and the United Kingdom.
What does Lonnie love most about her new job? "I have opportunities each day to acknowledge the ability of infinite good to sustain man and eliminate the apparent divide between 'haves' and 'have nots.' I love to witness the sense of purpose that lies behind the extraordinary sacrifices many of our students are making to obtain an education," says Lonnie. "I look forward to solidifying the mentoring network that my predecessor, Nancy Battey, began establishing overseas that will help our students become mentors, entrepreneurs and healers in their own right."
Lonnie's resume includes helping The Mother Church build its shortwave radio program for The Herald of Christian Science, writing and producing French and German programs that were broadcast to audiences in Europe and French-speaking Africa.
She also served as director on the board of Partnership for Productivity, a non-government agency headquartered in Washington, D.C. supporting small economic development in West Africa.
Most recently Lonnie was administrative director for the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence, a non-profit membership-based organization where she helped develop resources and policies to enable women and families to escape from a cycle of violence.
A native of Sacramento, Lonnie was raised and educated in Geneva, Switzerland. She has a degree in international relations from Mount Holyoke College and has completed post-graduate studies in the "Professionals in Inter-Cultural Relations" masters program at Lesley College in Cambridge Massachusetts. She is fluent in French and Portuguese, and is conversant in German and Spanish.read more...
OUR 2010 GRADS AT-A-GLANCE!
46 ABF Students Graduate
Spanish major Karla Machado proudly displays her diploma from the University of Houston.
We are proud to announce that this June, 46 of our student recipients completed undergraduate and graduate degree programs at 31 colleges and universities across the United States! We’ll be staying in touch with them to learn more about their plans and how we can continue to support their progress. Here’s some ‘at-a-glance’ information on our 2010 graduates:
31 students earned undergraduate degrees (70%)and 14 students (30%) earned graduate degrees.
80% of ABF undergraduates majored in liberal arts and 20% majored in a science.
ABF graduate students earned degrees in business, law, teaching, playwriting, civil engineering, landscape architecture, and teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL).
In total, ABF scholars earned degrees in 29 different majors and emphases ranging from advertising and marketing to environmental studies to computer engineering.
11 ABF scholars (24%) completed professional degrees, both undergraduate and graduate, leading to specific licensing or certification. These include three engineers (civil, electrical and mechanical), four lawyers, three teachers, and one landscape architect.
Congratulations to our 2010 North American graduates!
Colleges attended by 2010 ABF Graduates
Babson College, MD
Bates College, ME
College of William and Mary, VA
City University of Seattle
Columbia University, NYC
George Mason University, VA
Georgia Institute of Technology
Hamilton College, NY
Indiana University
Lindenwood University, MO
Loyola University, MD
New York University
North Carolina State University
Northeastern University, MA
Northwood University
Penn State University, PA
Phoenix College (community college)
Principia College, IL
Rhode Island School of Design, RI
Rochester Institute of Technology, NY
San Francisco State University, CA
Smith College, MA
Stetson University, FLA
University of Houston
University of Dallas
University of Michigan
University of Minnesota
University of Missouri
Webster University, MO
Willamette University, OR
William Jewell College, MO
List of majors
Advertising and Marketing
American Studies
Business Administration
Civil Engineering
Communications
Computer Engineering
Computer Science
Creative Writing
Economics
Education (Elementary and Secondary)
Electrical Engineering
English
Environmental Studies
Geology
Information Management
Information Technology Management
Landscape Architecture
Marketing
Mass Communication
Mechanical Engineering
New Media Design and Imaging
Philosophy
Physics
Playwriting
Politics
Spanish
Studio Art
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
Theatre
ABF WITHDRAWAL FROM TANZANIA
The Albert Baker Fund is temporarily suspending its operations in Tanzania this year. We are working closely with our RVP in Dar-Es-Salaam to re-establish a strong base and network of support between the churches and our students, and hope to re-open our program there next year. Continuing students who received an award from ABF last year may contact us directly at admin@albertbakerfund.org to see if an exception can be made.
ONLINE APPLICATIONS FOR AFRICA OPEN MAY 15
Our new online application system for post-secondary education grants in Africa (Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia) will be available on this website May 15. This new Internet-based system allows students in to complete their application and submit all attachments online. Applicants can also “save” their applications online and return to them later without losing the information entered. The new system also allows a student's referees the convenience of submitting their recommendations online. In order to use the system, applicants must have access to the Internet and a valid email address. All applications for the fall term must be received online by July 15. Application instructions are now available on the International Post-Secondary Education page of our website, however the online application and referral links will not be live until May 15.
INTERNATIONAL POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION DEADLINES
Applications for post-secondary education grants in France, Germany, French-Speaking Canada, Switzerland and the United Kingdom are currently open and will be accepted throughout the year. Applications may downloaded from our website, printed, filled-in (offline) and sent to The Albert Baker Fund by postal mail, email or fax. Applicants should allow 4 to 6 weeks for processing from the time of submission until the award decision.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT NEW APPLICATION DEADLINES
Along with our new online application system, The Albert Baker Fund has established application deadlines for submitting post-secondary education grant and loan applications. Applications must be submitted by the deadline date posted on the website to be eligible for funding. Applicants should allow 6 to 8 weeks for processing from the time of the submission deadline date to the award decision date. Applicants will be notified of the Fund’s award decision by email or telephone.
Academic Term
Submission
Start Dates
Deadline Dates
SUMMER 2010 (only)
OPEN NOW
Close: April 16, 2010
2010-2011 Academic Year or
Fall 2010 (only)
Group A
OPEN NOW
Group A
Close: May 15, 2010
Group B
Open: June 15, 2010
Group B
Close: July 15, 2010
Winter 2011 or Winter/Spring 2011
Open: August 15, 2010
Close: September 15, 2010
Spring 2011 (only)
Open: October 15, 2010
Close: November 15, 2011
WATCH OUR INSPIRING NEW VIDEO FEATURING OUR AFRICAN STUDENTS
After debuting our new 11 minute video to appreciative audiences in Northern and Southern California, Oregon, Texas, and Principia College in Elsah, Illinois, it is now available on our website. “The Albert Baker Fund~Helping Christian Scientists Bless the World” tells the inspiring story of Christian Science pioneers in Africa and how their education, made possible by The Albert Baker Fund, is blessing them, their communities, and their countries. Share this video.
AFRICA TRIP BRINGS A MESSAGE OF HOPE:
by Alan Bashor, ABF CEO
This spring CEO Alan Bashor and Board President Nancy Battey traveled to Africa, the UK, and Germany to strengthen and expand ABF’s international outreach. Here Alan reflects on a new appreciation for the hope that ABF brings to fellow Christian Scientists around the world.
After traveling to eleven countries in 33 days—first the United Kingdom, then Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana and Germany—and meeting with approximately 950 Christian Scientists at 15 separate events, Nancy and I are still trying to make sense of everything we saw, and felt, and learned.
One thing is certain: The Albert Baker Fund and what we stand for connects deeply to our fellow Christian Scientists in Africa and around the world. We touch their hope, their trust, respect and gratitude. Our outreach and support is evidence of the power of prayer to meet each individual’s human need and tangible proof that they are not forgotten or unheard.
Along with ABF Board President Nancy Battey, and our African representative Lamech Katamba, we were guests of the most patient, selfless, thoughtful, compassionate, caring, giving and sincere people you could ever hope to meet.
Amidst poverty, their generosity and the light in their hearts sustains entire villages, schools, neighborhoods and churches.
In countries where streets have no names, and buildings have no numbers, these pioneers are compass points from which others find their way Spirit-ward.
In churches where there are no musical instruments the singing rivals any we have ever heard.
Without complaint, and with a love so huge that it makes you cry, these wonderful Christian Science workers press on in the face of unheard-of obstacles (tribal rivalries, corrupt political systems, polygamy, unemployment, and lack of opportunities for women), healing malaria, AIDS and every seeming life-threatening condition through prayer alone.
From Nancy: “Christian Science is alive and growing in Africa and the high expectation of healing reminds us of what we’ve read and heard about the early pioneers of the CS movement in the United States.”
We are both humbled to see first hand the good that ABF is able to be a part of in the lives of our fellow Christian Scientists half-way around the world.
The Albert Baker Fund and Christian Science are truly bringing a message of hope to Africa.
The Albert Baker Fund is particularly sensitive to the changing needs of our students in a changing economy. If you are seeing your college and university reduce its level of financial support, or you have relied on other sources of funding that no longer exist, The Albert Baker Fund may be able to help bridge an unexpected financial gap with increased loan and grant amounts for the 2009-10 school year. We are happy to consider individual financial needs and changing circumstances on a case-by-case basis.
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