New Parents Welcomed

The Amphitheatre, Athi River campus was filled to capacity with parents who accompanied their children as they reported to Daystar University, for the first time on May 18, 2015.

The new parents were received by the University Vice-chancellor, Dr. Timothy Wachira and the Chair, Daystar University Parents Association (DUPA) Mrs. Dorothy Ngethe. The parents had a great time as they interacted with the university officials over a cup of tea. Also present were the DVC Finance and Administration, Mr. Jomo Gatundu, Ag DVC Academic Affairs, Dr. Paul Mbutu, Deans of schools, members of management board, DUPA members, Faculty and staff.

Speaking to the new parents, the Vice-chancellor articulated the reason Daystar University exists. He said Daystar exists to train Christian

Infospot wishes to welcome ALL new students to Daystar University.

Please make sure your Daystar email is registered and activated

so that you can receive the weekly information and updates.

MAY 2015 / Issue 17

THE DAYSTAR UN IVERS I TY WEEK LY

A Parent speaks during the DUPA Tea event

To New Students

Hundreds Admitted for the May 2015 Semester

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professionals to transform the society. “Educated people have a capacity to penetrate every area to bring transformation” he said. “When we receive your children, we first and foremost recognize that we have received them from God. Our faculty and staff have a heart and a calling to guide them in the right direction,” he said. Dr. Wachira further assured the parents that the students they have entrust to Daystar will grow and find a place in the society to the glory of God. “Many universities are training students for the next 50 years, we train them for eternity,” he said.

As she welcomed the new parents to Daystar University Parents Association (DUPA), the DUPA Chair Mrs. Dorothy

Ngethe underscored the role of the parents in the education of their children. She called on the parents to take keen interest in how their children were performing. She further invited the parents to make regular visits to the university to discuss the children’s performance. “Once you bring your child to Daystar follow them up to see how they are doing” she urged. Using an example of her two children, who graduated from Daystar University, Mrs. Ngethe lauded the University for producing graduates who are able to create jobs, instead of waiting for formal employment. “Education is not education unless it enables you to stand on your own,” she said.

New Students Publicly Recite the Declaration of Assent during the Matriculation Ceremony

Seven hundred and forty four new students have reported for the May 2015 semester.

As is the tradition, the new students were officially admitted to Daystar University during the matriculation ceremonies that took place on May 19 and 20, 2015, in Athi River and Nairobi Campuses, respectively.

In Athi River Campus the event took place at the Amphitheatre and was for the incoming daytime undergraduate, diploma and pre-university students. In his matriculation address, the University Vice-chancellor Dr. Timothy Wachira reiterated that the purpose of matriculation was to incorporate the new students into Daystar University. “This is an agreement of terms on which

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you will walk together with the university,” he told the new students. He also reminded them that the basis of education begins, moves and ends with God. These proceedings were later followed by a public declaration of assent by the new students.

The Nairobi campus matriculation for the incoming evening undergraduate and postgraduate students took place on Wednesday May 20, 2015, at the DAC auditorium. In a similar message to the new students the Vice-chancellor said, unlike the public universities that are established to ensure adequate manpower for the Nation, Daystar University exists to give excellent education based on Christian values that enables our graduates to work in a manner that glorifies God. He said Daystar exists with an understanding that every human being is created by God and is accountable to God, and that all professions were established in the fear of God. Having said that, the Vice-chancellor challenged the new students to choose whether or not they still wanted to walk the journey with Daystar University, to which all the students consented by signing the declaration of assent.

Echoing the Vice chancellor, the Deputy Vice-chancellor Academic Affairs, Rev. Prof. James Kombo said Daystar is for people who have a clear understanding of what they want to become, for the use of God in Kenya, the region, Africa and the world over. “I trust that for the period you will be with us, God will turn your life around for his glory,” he said.

Part of the group of incoming students at the matriculation held at the DAC Nairobi campus

The University Chaplain, Rev. Steve Nduto was present to lead the prayers, while University Registrar Dr. Paul Mbutu introduced the University Deans to the students. Others present were Heads of departments and faculty members.

TPC Student, Edwin Libasia

publishedInfospot celebrates Edwin Libasia, a Technical and Professional Communication (TPC) student, for his article, which was published in the April- May Management Magazine, Issue number 020, a publication of Kenya Institute of Management. His article is entitled; “How inflation bites deep into Kenya’s economy.”

Our congratulations to the student for this great achievement, and Edwin’s lecturers in the Department of Language and Performing Arts.

Keep up the good job.

AnnouncementNotice to Graduands: Application for Non-Academic AwardsAre you an aspiring graduand of the class of 2015? Do you feel you performed excellently in co-curricular activities

while studying at Daystar? You have an opportunity to apply for TWO of the non-academic awards; Creativity Award and Community Service Award.

The awards will go to one graduand in each campus.

Urgently apply for consideration by giving your detailed profile and testimonials to the Students Affairs office in your campus, clearly indicating the award you are applying for, and attaching relevant documents to support your case.

Applicants should note that their character and Christian commitment, when they were studying at Daystar University should be unquestionable.

Deadline for application is Friday May 30 2015, at 5 pm.

You can also apply through email to mbulwa.nguli@gmail.com and copied to pmwangi@daystar.ac.ke and jkarau@daystar.ac.ke

Daystar Prays for Burundi

Chaplaincy dedicated a good portion of the Athi River Campus freshmen Chapel on Wednesday 20, 2015 to pray for the Nation of Burundi. Special prayers were made for the nation, which is recovering from a failed coup attempt. Rev. Mutinda Musyimi, the Resident Chaplain, Athi River campus, together with a representative of the Burundian students, prayed for the Nation.

The special prayers echoed a message of hope and a peaceful future for Burundi, and the entire international

community of Daystar University. The two prayed for the families and leadership in the countries represented at Daystar.

The coup has seen over one hundred thousand people flee to the neighboring countries to escape the political violence.

Insospot wishes the Burundian students peace of mind and safety for their families back home, as well as stability and peace in their country.

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Athi River Campus Resident Chaplain, Rev. Mutinda Musyimi deep in prayers with the Daystar University Burundian students.

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Now available on our shelves! Newly acquired print titles on Counseling Psychology and Mental Health

Counseling and Therapy Skills (2011) by David G. Martin

This is a practical guide for beginning and experienced counselors. The author unravels the complexities of the therapeutic process without condescension or intimidation, teaching helping professionals how to invest themselves to make clients feel deeply known and accepted. The author also describes and encourages the use of evocative empathy, an active process in which therapists listen to their clients intended message so that they feel understood and gain the ability to be their own problem solver.

The book covers different therapy approaches, relationship building, the mind-body connection, ways that therapy can cause damage, the therapeutic alliance, mindfulness and cross-cultural counseling.

Engaging with Complexity: Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Education (2011) by Rita Harris

These are narratives of courage from the educational “coalface” in a variety of European settings. The reader is engaged by observations of children, some of whom have been subject to unbearable loss and terror. There are no quick fixes here. This is careful work based on psychoanalytical and systemic principles. Through understanding past and present relationships staff and pupils are able to make sense of otherwise futile or destructive obstacles to learning.

Child and Adolescent Psychopathology (2013) by Theodore P. Beauchaine and Stephen P. Hinshaw

Child and Adolescent Psychopathology, Second Edition is the only comprehensive text on childhood and adolescent disorders that addresses genetic, neurobiological, and environmental factors within a developmental perspective. The new edition includes more on epigenetics, classification, culture and context and emphasizes how, when, and why disorders emerge among young people and in what ways symptom profiles change at different stages of development.

Mental Health Issues & the University Student by Doris Iarovici

Dr. Iarovici describes the current college mental health crisis and narrates how college mental health services have evolved along with changes in student populations. She discusses students’ lifestyle problems and psychiatric concerns, using case vignettes to explore a variety of interventions. Included are discussions of substance abuse, relationship difficulties, eating disorders, depression and anxiety, and culture clashes. Problems uniquely addressed in this book include sleep disturbances and perfectionism. An essential component of the volume is a guide to making emergency assessments, from risk classification and hospitalization to public safety and communication within and outside the campus community.

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Athi River Campus

Date: 26 May 2015

Topic: Welcome Chapel

Speaker: Rev Mutinda Musyimi

Sunday Service

Date: May 31, 2015

Topic: Basics of Life

Speaker: Dr. Donald Smith

Nairobi Campus

Date: 26th May 2015

Topic: Welcome Chapel

Speaker: Rev. Steve Nduto

Evening Programme

Date: 29th May 2015

Speaker: Rev. Steve Nduto

Topic: Welcome Chapel

Weekly Inspiration

Chaplaincy wishes to announce the following bereavements:

Death has occurred of a student, Christine Wanjiru Maina. Christine was a final year BCom marketing major at Daystar University. She was due to graduate in June 2015. According to her father, Dr. Githigia, Christine collapsed in the house and died on arrival at the hospital. She was buried on Thursday, May 21, 2015 in Nyahururu.

Wycliffe Oyugi who works at the communication studio, Nairobi Campus is bereaved. His mother, Eunice Akoth will be buried be on Saturday 23rd May, 2015 at Kano, Nyando County, Katolo sub location. Wycliffe can be reached on 0733 911039/0701 563078.

Jacqueline Atieno, a staff with One-Way Cleaning Services went to be with the Lord, on May 6, 2015. Jacqueline served at the Administration block and Grace Hostels at Athi River Campus. She will be buried on Saturday 23at Uyoma in Nyanza. Her sister Helen can be contacted on 0722425714.

James Mathenge, a long time driver with Daystar University, passed away on 18th May 2015. He will be buried on Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Please pray for the bereaved families.

CHAPELDIARY

“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and

suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.”

Hellen Keller

Bereavements

Semester theme:

“Beware of False Prophets” Exposition of Jude

Daystar Pays Tribute to the Late James Mathenge

Daystar University fraternity held a special service in memory of the late James Mathenge on Thursday May 21, 2015 at the Amphitheatre in Athi River Campus. Family, friends and colleagues gathered at the service that was conducted by the Chaplaincy, Rev. Steve Nduto and Rev. Mutinda Musyimi.

In his sermon Rev. Musyimi encouraged the congregation that death should not be feared. “Death is not the end; it is a transition into a permanent and better building that is heaven” he said. His message of hope to everyone was that they should rejoice and overcome death just as Christ did.

Daystar Enterprise Limited Manager, Mr. Jackson Siengo reminisced about his first encounter with the late Mathenge, and how he had already got some good reports about his passion for his job even before he came for the job interview. He then welcomed public tributes from the gathering.

Mr. Maurice Masiga, the Sports and Recreation Officer confessed how the Falcons fraternity loved the late Mathenge. “With Mathenge we went everywhere, Nakuru, Kisumu, Coast and one thing that stood out was how he was a people’s person.” He said.

Colleagues and drivers from Daystar Enterprise Limited also got a chance to pay their tribute. They spoke about how the Late Mathenge had a lively and social personality that made it so easy to work with.

The ICT Manager, Mr. Paul Muinde gave a message on behalf of the administration. He acknowledged that the late Mathenge was a believer and that they attended the same

Church in House of Grace Athi River. “Our comfort will only come from God,” he said. He encouraged the family by quoting from 2 Timothy 4:7-8 , “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” He said the late Mathenge had done just that.

Representing the family of the late Mathenge was his elder brother Michael Wangai. He introduced Mathenge’s two sons, Joseph and Thayo and urged well-wishers to help raise the younger one that is still in Primary School, and give employment to the elder one who just finished Secondary School. The Mother of the late Mathenge, sisters, uncle and brother-in-law were also introduced.

“I would like to thank Daystar for being a home to my brother Mathenge,” he said. He announced that the family had been granted a permit to bury the late James Mathenge at his home in Kitengela.

Family and friends are meeting daily at his residence in New Valley, Kitengela and Paw Petrol Station next to Naivas Supermarket , Kitengela, for funeral arrangement. A special fundraising will be held on Saturday May 23, 2015, at 22:00pm, at Maasai Discovery, next to PCEA Kitengela/ Naivas Supermarket. A funeral service will be held at House of Grace Church, Athi River on Tuesday May 26, 2015, and thereafter, Mathenge will be laid to rest at his residence in New Valley, Kitengela.