Saint Monica University Appoints Expatriate As Vice President

BUEA, Cameroon - May 8, 2013 - PRLog -- Saint Monica University: The American International University today announced that it has appointed Mr. Christoph Hans Messner as the Vice President of Business Affairs at Saint Monica University (SMU). As Vice President of Business Affairs, he will be responsible for Finance and Administration and reports to the President.

“We are very grateful that Mr. Messner has decided to join our Executive Council,” said Professor Januarius Jingwa (JJ) Asongu, President and Chief Executive Officer of SMU. “As the person responsible for all fiscal and non-academic administrative operations of the University, Mr. Messner is authorized to execute all contracts, conveyances, and proxies in the name of the University and, in the President’s absence or disability, to act in his or her stead on all non-academic matters.”

Under the direction of the Executive Committee, Mr. Messner is responsible for the following operations: holding and investing the capital funds of the University, subject to the powers conferred on the Investment Committee with respect to certain investments; custody of the University’s valuable papers such as evidence of titles and contracts to which the University is a party; signing checks and drafts on the capital funds of the University; executing releases, satisfactions, and assignments of mortgages held by the University on the payment of the same; advising the President of the University and the Board of Regents and its Executive Committee on matters of fiscal policy; and preparing such reports on the financial affairs of the University as may be requested by the President of the University, the Board of Regents, or its appropriate committees.

“I am excited to be part of the leadership team at SMU, a university that seeks to be a pace-setter in the African educational scene” said Mr. Christoph Hans Messner, the newly appointed Vice President of Business Affairs at SMU. “I cannot think of anything as challenging as starting a new university, so I am fully committed to putting my best in ensuring that SMU becomes the great university it aspires to be. I intend to work with every member of the SMU staff to bring this to fulfillment.”

Born in Munich, Germany, as the second son of Klaus Messner (Univ.-Dipl.-Engineer) and Ingrid Messner (Elementary School Teacher), Mr. Messner attended elementary school Dinkelscherben, Bavaria, and then Justus-von-Liebig-Gymnasium (High School) Neusäß at Augsburg, Bavaria. Thereafter, he studied Physics and Material Sciences at Erlangen University, Bavaria (1986-88). From 1994-2001 he studied Pedagogy, Psychology, Sociology at the universities of Marburg and Augsburg, earning a Univ.-Dipl. (which is the equivalence of a Master’s degree in the English-speaking world). Between 1997-2004, he did postgraduate studies in Philosophy and Politics with late Prof. Arno Baruzzi, Prof. Rainer Roth, Prof. Hartmuth Paffrath et al at Augsburg University, and writing his dissertation on “Karl Jaspers‘ Question: What does it mean to think politically and pedagogically?” He didn’t complete the doctorate, but intends to do so while at SMU.

From 1988 to 1994, Mr. Messner worked on a private development of a new clarinet mechanics and filed a patent for the invention. In 1992, he worked at Siemens Company in Erlangen, Bavaria. He has also taught flute at Music School Burgau, Bavaria. Between 1994 and 2011, when he moved to the United States, he worked for the following German companies or organizations: International Union for Youth Social Work in Marburg; Adult Education Center Marburg-Land; Environment Education Station Unterallgäu in Legau; and Wellfeeling House in Fischach, Bavaria. He also taught students (age 8 to 16) as a private tutor; developed new and better saxophone and clarinet mechanics his personal workshop; and was involved in repairing and overhauling of woodwind instruments in the “Clarissono” workshop of master Martin Schöttle in Liebelsberg near Stuttgart: developing and producing the “New German Clarinet.”

Mr. Messner comes to Buea, Cameroon, from York, PA, where he has been working on his new book since 2011 when he relocated from Germany to the United States. While in the United States, he has also continued writing political educational essays for his website www.95thesen-reloaded.de, which he created in 2007. He has also been corresponding with many ethical-political activists. Mr. Messner is a multi-talented individual with additional skills in the areas of management, renewable energy development, organic living, among other things. His versatility is an immense asset to a young university such as SMU. Prior to coming to Cameroon, he attended an accreditation meeting on behalf of SMU and has been trying to help develop more international contacts for the University.

About Saint Monica University: The American International University
Saint Monica University (SMU) is an American-style private non-denominational Christian institution, offering programs that are at the intersection of the liberal arts, science and technology. It is dedicated to providing educational opportunities for the intellectual, social, entrepreneurial and professional development of a diverse student population. SMU is focused on the student experience and helping our students achieve their educational and career goals, and contributing to a more sustainable society.  We offer various bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees through the School of Arts & Education (SAE), School of Business & Public Policy (SBPP), School of Health & Human Services (SHHS), and School of Science, Engineering & Technology (SSET). SMU is a fully accredited institution in Cameroon by the National Commission for Private Higher Education at the Ministry of Higher Education. For more information about SMU, visit our website: http://www.stmonicauniversity.com or write to us at admissions@stmonicauniversity.com.