Rust College is the oldest of 11 HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) related to the United Methodist Church. The Iowa Annual Conference has had a special relationship of encouragement and support with Rust College for many years and would like to introduce or reintroduce the Iowa United Methodist family to why Rust is so unique.
Rust is located in northern Mississippi and serves a student body where a significant percentage of students are the first in their families to attend college. The college takes students where they are and, through personal mentoring and support, helps them meet high academic standards. Rust prepares students for successful careers, leadership in their communities, and service to others. It also nurtures students’ spiritual growth through a robust Religious Life program.
At this time in American history, there is an increased awareness of racial disparities and a more significant commitment to racial justice. The Iowa Annual Conference members of the Rust College’s Board of Trustees are hopeful that some members of your church, or your church as a whole, will look for ways to make a positive contribution toward racial inclusion. It could be very timely for you to present Rust College to your congregation as a possible recipient of your mission support.
Please watch
this three-minute video, which introduces Rust College. Download and show it during worship as a way of encouraging individual gifts to Rust and perhaps to suggest that Rust is in the mission portfolio of your church.
In this time, when colleges are struggling with the ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as economic stresses, support by fellow United Methodists in the Iowa Annual Conference is more important than ever to Rust College and its students.
If you or your church would like to support the mission of Rust College, please send monetary gifts to The Iowa Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church, 2301 Rittenhouse Street, Des Moines, Iowa, 50321. Indicate Advance Special #327 on the memo line. You can also donate online by clicking
here.
Iowa Annual Conference members of the Rust College’s Board of Trustees:
David Swinton, President, Board of Directors
Barry Tritle, Secretary, Board of Directors
Margaret Borgen, Vice-Chair, Development Committee
Bob Ward, Chair, Student Affairs Committee
