Kidane named first Jim & Peggy Powell Scholar
Entering DDH Scholar Fiyori Kidane has been named the inaugural recipient of the Jim and Peggy Powell Scholarship. From 2023 until recently, Fiyori served as the People-to-People Program Coordinator for Global Ministries. After graduating from Texas Christian University in 2019, she served as a Global Mission Intern with Perichoresis, a program of the Evangelical Church of Greece, where she worked with migrant and refugee communities and in administrative support. Fiyori will be one of six new entering DDH Scholars this fall.
This scholarship honors the ministry and leadership of James L. and Margaret Powell and expresses their lifelong desire to find, support, and educate leaders for the church to serve the world. Much of Jim's ministry in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) was through Church Extension, which he served as President. After retirement, Jim worked extensively with DDH to undergird and embolden its mission.
The scholarship, which will help ensure full tuition, stipend, and housing support, was spurred by the Powells' children, Drew, Than, Elisabeth, and Laura, and by family friend Gaylord Yu. Other family members, colleagues, and friends joined to raise the $250,000 endowment. The Powells were delighted to learn that Fiyori Kidane, who is a member of Allisonville Christian Church in Indianapolis, their own congregation, has been named the first recipient.