Connie Ellen Disney made her first legacy gift in 2010, when she established the Bill and Connie Disney Endowed Scholarship in Bill’s memory. Every year, the gift gives Africa University students the opportunity to see their dreams, and those of their families and communities, realized.
Connie and Bill were first generation college students. Bill received undergraduate and graduate degrees in education from Southern Illinois University, while Connie earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from Southern Illinois University and Illinois State University, respectively.
Bill, who died in 2007, was a high school counselor with a deep commitment to higher education. Connie is a retired elementary school teacher. She taught for more than thirty years before retiring in 1998. Their lifetime of work and dedication to service helped set many students on course for future success.
As early supporters of Africa University, the Disneys underscored the value of education, and particularly agricultural education. Connie’s parents set an example for her through their support of mission projects. They helped people in other countries improve their farming practices and food production. Seeing the success of students of agriculture continues to excite Connie. She believes that students prepared for careers in innovative agricultural practice and research will make valuable contributions across Africa.
The Bill and Connie Disney Endowed Scholarship currently supports two students in the College of Health, Agriculture and Natural Sciences. Through a second planned gift designating Africa University a contingent beneficiary of her estate plans, Connie further ensures generations to come will benefit from the lessons of generosity she learned long ago.
Elaine Jenkins, former director of planned giving, Africa University Development Office
A World Service Special Gift is a designated financial contribution made by an individual, local church, organization, district or annual conference to a project authorized as such by the Connectional Table. Current World Service Special Gifts projects include the Africa University Endowment Fund, the Leonard Perryman Communications Scholarship for Ethnic Minority Students, the Methodist Global Education Fund, the National Anti-Gambling Project and the Lay Missionary Planting Network.
