Greenville College Annual Report 2003-04

Campus Profile

Voice for the People

The life of Bonheur Buconyori defines the word “multi-cultural” in a single person. Student Body President “Bobo” grew up in Nairobi, Kenya, the son of Free Methodist Bishop Elie A. Buconyori, Ph.D. He speaks five languages and brings a wealth of experience living in a large international city to this small Christian college in rural Illinois.

A senior ITEP major, interested in business management and history/ political science, Bobo first became involved in student government as the senator for international students. Last fall he became president of the college’s multi-cultural group Mosaic. Bobo then decided to run for student body president. “I realized I could influence multi-culturalism on campus through student government,” said Buconyori.

He has sought to encourage ethnic unity and multi-culturalism on campus through colloquia, affirmative action and political awareness.

His close friend and mentor Dr. Dunkley speaks about Bobo’s unique leadership style that led him to nominate Buconyori for the servant leadership award, which Bobo received last May. “Bobo takes the idea of servant leadership to heart. He seeks to empower not just some, but all students,” said Dunkley.

Buconyori works hard to stay connected to the global community and expresses his convictions firmly. One of his advisors, Professor Scott Neumann said, “He argues his ideas well. He is a very good and convincing speaker that moves people to agree with him.”

“Bobo is very respectful, but not afraid to say what he feels,” said Dunkley. “He will go to bat for people he feels are being repressed. ... He wants to make sure everyone has a voice, no matter the ethnic group.”

Neumann sees Bobo’s leadership as genuine and caring towards the student body. “While some people come into student government to pad their resume or to seek power, Bobo came in with a set of ideas to make Greenville College better,” said Neumann.

Last updated: October 31, 2005