Disciples Divinity House

Scholarship funds allow Disciples Divinity House Scholars to immerse themselves in learning without incurring significant debt. Student achievement and promise have been recognized with these special awards. 

Several awards have been established or will be fully funded as part of DDH's 125th anniversary. These include the Martin Family Scholarship, being awarded for the first time to Joel Brown (see related article), and the Dr. Geunhee and Mrs. Geunsoon Yu Scholarship, which was newly awarded last year to Aneesah Ettress, a third-year MDiv student. The Yu scholarship recognizes high promise for innovative pastoral and intellectual leadership, especially within multicultural contexts.

The Edward Scribner Ames Scholarship for high academic achievement has been awarded to Mark Lambert, a PhD candidate in Theology, his dissertation is titled, “The Sacramental Sickness: The Perceptual Interplay between the Eucharist and the Leper-Christ in Medieval Theology.” The William Barnett Blakemore Scholarship for ecumenical vision and academic achievement has been awarded to Benny VanDerburgh, a second-year MDiv student, DDH librarian this year and co-convener of Open Space, a weekly ritual gathering for students at the Divinity School. Landon Wilcox, a second-year MDiv student and Head Resident this year, is the Bernard F. and Annie Mae Cooke Scholar. The scholarship was established by a spirited lay woman from Houston who prized excellence in ministry.

MDiv student Ross Allen is the recipient of the M. Elizabeth Dey Scholarship. LaSalle Street Church is his field education placement site. Emily Springer, second-year MDiv student, is the recipient of the Drum and Tenant Scholarship. Gilead is her field education placement site. Both of these scholarships were established by Katherine Dey, who wanted to remember her grandmother and dear friends.

The Henry Barton Robison Scholarship is awarded to Paige Spencer, a second-year MA student, for promise in biblical studies. Hiatt Allen was awarded the Rolland and Laura Frances Sheafor Scholarship which was established by a longtime DDH trustee who was the founding president of the Christian Church Foundation and his wife. A dual degree student, he is studying at the Harris School of Public Policy this year. Third-year MDiv Sarah Zuniga is the recipient of the M. Ray and Phyllis Schultz Scholarship which recognizes promise for congregational ministry. She is working as a digital content special at Crossroads Antiracism Organizing and Training this year. Ainsley Grey, first-year MDiv student, is the Oreon E. Scott Entering Scholar. Alexa Dava, first-year MDiv student, is the William N. Weaver Entering Scholar.