Mrs. Connie E. Disney
(Second planned gift)
Connie Ellen Disney and her late husband, Bill, were first inducted into the Richard E. “Dick” Reeves Legacy Society in 2010 when Connie established an endowed scholarship in their names in Bill’s memory. Connie recently informed the Planned Giving Office that she has designated Africa University a contingent beneficiary of her estate plans.
Although Connie grew up in the Baptist Church, she descends from a long line of Methodists on both sides of her family. Her paternal great-grandfather, Godfrey Phillips, was a Methodist preacher in Southern Illinois. His diaries and journals documenting his ministry as a circuit rider during the years 1862-1864 and his later ministry from 1900-1912 are still maintained by the Phillips family. His faith and experiences were a strong influence in the family. Her mother’s family were also Methodists.
Connie and Bill were the first generation in their families to attend college. They both earned their bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from Southern Illinois University. Bill was a high school counselor with a deep commitment for higher education. Connie is a retired elementary school teacher, having taught for more than thirty years before retiring in 1998.
Connie fondly recalls that her parents were very much involved with outreach ministries in the Baptist Church. Because they were farmers, they gave generously to mission projects that helped people in other countries improve their farming practices and food production. Her parents’ example of selfless giving and her understanding of the transformative power of education led Connie and Bill to become very early supporters of Africa University. “It was my parents’ example and teachings as well as our dedication to education that influenced us to reach out to a continent that needs educational development in the areas of land use and food production,” Connie said.
The most recent recipient of the Bill and Connie Disney Endowed Scholarship Fund, Lazarus Kabaira of Zimbabwe, graduated this past June with honors, having earned his Bachelor of Science degree in animal science.