- By Leeroy Wuone. Email: leeroywuone02@gmail.com
Some of the outstanding things you need to know about the institution is that it was initially started by US missionaries Professor Don Smith, the late Mrs Faye Smith and the late South African politician, lawyer, author Dr S.E Motsoko Pheko.
In 1977, the late Dr D. Ray Hostetter, Ph.D. the sixth President of Messiah college met with Professor Don Smith the co-founder of Daystar communications, Dr. Ray Hostetter was inspired by Professor Smith’s mission for Daystar leading to a transformative partnership that played a crucial role in the evolution of international institutions or Christian communication IICC in Daystar university.
Dr. Ray Hostetter served as President of Messiah college from 1964 to 1994. Daystar University got their Charter sometimes in September 1994. His leadership was instrumental in the establishment and success of the partnership with Daystar university college, guided with the collaboration during his formative years.
The late Professor Stephen Talitwala as the founding principal of Daystar university college, later became the first Vice Chancellor when the university transitioned into Daystar university. His vision of leadership was key in establishing the academic credibility of Daystar during his partnership with Messiah college.
Some of the things we need to note and keep in mind, in April 1984 the partnership officially commenced leading to the launch of a four years degree programme at Daystar University college in collaboration with Messiah college. September 29, 1994 Daystar university college was granted a charter by the government of Kenya officially becoming Daystar university, this milestone marked the conclusion of the partnership as Daystar began awarding its own degrees” he said.
“Thank you for welcoming us to your campus, to your home, ’’said his son Curt Hostetter, who was accompanied by the wife Hoffy Steingrimsdottir. “My wife and I now reside in Reykjavic Iceland, for those who don’t know look it up later where it is” he giggled and continues “it’s a very cold place so if this is your winter that is like the hottest day for us in the summer. This is our first time at Daystar, this is our first time in Kenya, this is our first time in Africa,’’ he said.
“My father was a Christian educator, he spent thirty years of his life as the president of a university in Grantham Pennsylvania, the United States and was dedicated to Christian education. Education was so important to him and we have many students at our campus who come from Africa and my late father thought there would be a better way to do Christian education and he set out to share his Professors with Africa so that’s how the relationship started.
“He was very proud of his relationship with Daystar. I think one of the proudest moments was when Daystar developed a relationship with Messiah college,” said Curt.
“He spoke so often, so fondly of this place. He was here as we have seen many pictures, he was here at the groundbreaking when you started this campus in Athi-River, he was very proud of that but I have to say the most proud moment of his life and his relationship with Daystar was in 1994 when Daystar became independent, when you had your own Charter to become your own university.
“The most important thing”, he said to me, “Is these young faces the students are the most important thing in education so thank you for welcoming us to your home, thank you for welcoming us to your home campus,’’ said the late President’s son Curt Hostetter.
The late Messiah college president, Dr. D Ray Hostetter’s life was composed of Faith, vision and promise. He fulfilled them with humility, integrity and strength and will truly be remembered as a key player in the foundations of our great university, Daystar University.