This year Christmas came early.
On December 20th 2019, Prof Stephen Talitwala finally joined the ranks of Daystar University Alumni after twenty-five years of service and leadership in Daystar.
The Daystar School of Law awarded him an Honorary Degree of Law in recognition of his diligent and dedicated service to the East African Community and an exemplary Christian life that displayed the integration of Christian principles in his professional life. Professor has often been described as a visionary, a transparent and authentic servant leader and a man deeply committed to his faith. He has indeed been ‘A Beacon of Light and has Served and Enhanced Cohesion in Society’.
Even more remarkable were his acceptance remarks full of memories, inspiration and wisdom that brought many in the room to deep reflection and tears. It captured our hearts when he said several things and we want to share our favourite highlights:
“Words fail me as I see everyone in this room especially the graduands, because I am reminded why we worked so hard in the early days of Daystar as a small group of people who loved God as best we knew and wanted to make a difference for Him in the Christian education landscape. In time we understood that our role was to raise an altar of people who will be the salt of the earth and the light of the world; a people so different they would draw men to God as we build a place of worship that would be useful not just to Daystar but to Kenya, East Africa, Africa and the ends of the earth.
I still dream of the chapel in Athi River with a cross and well-lit star, at the highest point of the campus as a reminder to us and the world that indeed the Lord Most High has found a people and a resting place that will draw men to Himself. The dream of a chapel on the hill (the rock) is over twenty years old. I sincerely hope that one day very soon this dream will become a reality, a beauty to behold, a place of worship for our God.
I come from a very simple family and my own journey in education was only possible because of scholarships so they are close to my heart. My humble submission is that Daystar remains deliberate in providing scholarships and that in turn, all the supported students will give back to the community by supporting others to grow.
I ask every young person in the room, student and graduand, to dream. Dream about how you will change the world you live in, how to influence the world around you, who you must become, how you will raise the standard of living in your family. Dream; dream; dream; then strategize and set a plan in motion, work towards the dream and never give up.
Finally, I give a special thanks to the school of law for this honorary degree this means more to me than I could ever explain. It feels like the years spent creating opportunities for education in the region have finally paid off.
We celebrate Prof Talitwala, for his devotion to building a people. We remember his laughter, stories about Joseph and David, long trips, diligent effort to make sure Daystar grew, his heart for the students and easy company. Indeed this is a long awaited day and not Daystar can go forward knowing that they that laid down their lives for us are forever part of us.
Hongera Prof Talitwala and ever member of Class of 2019; welcome to the Daystar University Alumni Association.
By Magdaline Kiyeng – DUAA Administrator