Daystar University Vice Chancellor, Prof Laban P. Ayiro, PhD. with Elmer and Barb Schefers the loan program donor

The Vice Chancellor Prof. Laban Ayiro has returned to the USA to complete his month-long partnership building for Daystar University, which began on 7th April, 2023. Prof. Ayiro cut short his fundraising trip to attend the burial of the first Vice Chancellor Prof. Stephen Talitwala on 24th May, 2023

The Vice Chancellor left Nairobi on 7th April, accompanied by the Chair of Daystar Company Board Rev. Dr. Matthews Mwalw’a, Daystar University Chancellor Dr. Florence Muindi and the Chair of the University Council Chair Prof. George Njoroge.

The trip is in collaboration with Daystar US Executive Director Mr. Alan Cooke and DUS Board Chairman Mr. Bill Boulware.

Here’s a rundown of the Vice-Chancellor’s Diary since his arrival in the U.S. 

Sunday 9th April:  Prof. Ayiro was hosted for Easter Sunday service by Daystar U.S. Board member Dr. Eloise Loeffler and her husband Rod.  Later they met with Dr. John Clark, a close friend of Daystar University who was also instrumental in the renovation of Communication Studio building at the Nairobi Campus.

Tuesday 11th April:  Prof. Ayiro and Alan Cooke met with Judi and Randy Johnson.  Randy is a Daystar U.S. Board member, while Judi was instrumental in starting the Daystar Nursing program

Judy and Randy in their apartment.  What a couple!!

Wednesday12th April:  The VC was hosted at a baseball game with Eloise and her husband Rod at the Minneapolis Target Stadium.  He, Bill Boulware (Daystar U.S. board chairman), and Alan met with Elmer and Barb Schefers, partners in the Schefer’s Servant-leadership loan fund.

Friday-Saturday, 14th & 15th April: Rev. Mwalw’a and Prof. Njoroge led the Daystar University team, along with the VC, at the Daystar US Board meetings.

Sunday 16th April: Rev. Mwalw’a, the VC and Alan were hosted by Pastor David Lenz at Hope Church for Sunday service.  Hope Church was responsible for funding the first building at the Athi River campus, the Hope Centre.

Week Two:

This week, jointly with the Chancellor Dr. Florence Muindi, the Vice Chancellor Prof. Ayiro joined others in Grand Rapids, Michigan, for many meetings among them Cornerstone Trust, Calvin College and Kuyper College.

Sun-Mon, 16th & 17th April: On Sunday 16th April, they visited the Prince Center at Calvin University Campus ahead of the meeting with Calvin University President Dr. Wiebe Boer and the Provost Dr. Noah Toly, on Monday 17th April.

While at Calvin University, the team also met with the Director of International Network for Christian Higher Education Dr. Shirley Roles, and the Director of Off-Campus Programs Cynthia Slagter, a Professor of Spanish.

They also visited the Theological Book Network and the African Resource Center, along with the Executive Director Justin Holford.

Tuesday 18th April: The Chancellor and team visited Cornerstone Trust where they met with the Director of the DeVries Institute for Global Faculty Development and Professor of Religion at Calvin University, Spoelhof University Center Dr. Matt Lundberg, and Professor of Old Testament and Chair of the Calvin University Religion Department, Dr. Won Lee.

Wednesday 19th April:  The Chancellor and team had breakfast with Dr. Joe Stowell, President Emeritus at Cornerstone University and Special Consultant to the president of Moody Bible Institute. Later they attended the Calvin Chapel and thereafter meet with the Chaplain, Pastor Mary Hulst.

The team wound up their Calvin University visit with afternoon meetings with the Director of Kuyers Institute for Christian Teaching and Learning, David Smith, Spoelhof University Center, Shirley Roels, Mark Fackler, and Dr. Don DeGraaf, the Director of CCCU Global.

Thursday 20th April: The team visited Kuyper College for meetings with the Registrar Dr. Andrea Fryling, the President Dr. Patti Harris and Provost Dr. Tim Detwiler.  Together with the Chancellor Prof. Florence Muindi, they also attended Chapel and recorded a podcast.

In the afternoon, they spent time with Cornerstone University Vice President of Academics and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Bradford Sample, and the President Dr. Gerson Moreno-Riaño.

Friday 21st April: They will meet with Calvin University Dean of Health Sciences Dr. Adejoke Ayoola, and the Associate Vice President of Enrollment Management at Cornerstone University, Heidi Ceci.

Rev. Mwalw’a, Bill Boulware, Prof. Ayiro, and Alan Cooke will travel to Kenya to attend the funeral of founding Vice Chancellor Prof. Stephen Talitwala at Daystar University.

Mon 1st May:

After the funeral proceedings the team will resume fundraising efforts in USA with meetings in Chicago and Arizona.  

The Us engagements will wind down in the first week of May, when the team meets with two prominent foundations who were previously involved with Daystar University in the 1990s.

While the Vice chancellor is away, Prof. Faith Nguru (DVC-ARSA) and Prof. Wachira Muturi (DVC-FAP) will respectively serve as Acting Vice Chancellor from 7th – 21st April, and 22nd April to 7th May.

Let’s keep them in prayer that the Lord grants them favor and good success in the mission.