In Memory of Bruce Wharton

It is with deep sadness that we announce the recent passing of Amb. D. Bruce Wharton (rtd).

D. Bruce Wharton (1954-2026) will be remembered as a hero of impact in Zimbabwe and internationally.  Without Bruce's guidance, mentorship and support, the original USAP program, Education Matters and USAP Community School would simply not exist.  As our inaugural Chair of the Education Matters Africa Foundation Board of Directors and continued guiding light until recently when he grew ill, Bruce’s leadership allowed us to grow and deepen our mission. We will miss his clarity of thought, empathy and sharp wit dearly.  

Bruce Wharton served as a U.S. foreign service officer from 1985-2017, working at U.S. Embassies in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Guatemala, South Africa and Zimbabwe. He also served in high level public diplomacy posts in Washington.  Bruce had a deep affection for the people of Zimbabwe, including a love for Tuku music, for riding his motorcycle through Zimbabwe’s gorgeous countryside, for Zimbabwe’s unique humor as well as a strong commitment to honoring the future of Zimbabwean youth. We extend our deep condolences to his wife Julie and children Sarah, Sam and Turner.

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Beyond being a lovely and supportive friend, Bruce has mentored me since the inception of USAP at the end of 1999.  When I came to him with the idea of starting a college access program within EducationUSA and pitched USAP, he gave me his famous “operators’ license”, a small card which proclaimed simply “If it is ethical, in line with our mission, and doesn’t have cost implications, JUST DO IT!”  Thus, USAP was born. Nearly two decades later, soon after Bruce retired from the Foreign Service, I reached out to ask kindly for him to take on the role of chairing the first Education Matters Africa Foundation Board of Directors. He did not hesitate to agree, and was a wise, honest and mission-driven leader.  We will miss the small index cards he used to hold up to the screen to liven up Board meetings on Zoom that proclaimed statements like “YES!!!”, “Thank you!”,  “No way!” or “I dig it!”
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We are proud to launch a scholarship for USAP Community School in Bruce’s memory and honor, to further the belief he demonstrated in the potential of Zimbabwean youth to change their families, communities and the nation. It costs $5000 a year for each student we are able to bring to experience the transformative education at USAP Community School.  Your support of this scholarship fund will continue Bruce’s legacy with USAP and Education Matters, enabling us to work with more remarkable young people in Zimbabwe.

https://www.globalgiving.org/fundraisers/brucewhartonscholarship‍

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Rest in peace and power, Bruce. We are so grateful for all you have poured into our lives and our organization.


By: Rebecca Zeigler Mano, Executive Director and Founder