Disciples Divinity House

Six individuals have been named new Disciples Divinity House Scholars. They enter MDiv and MA programs at the University of Chicago Divinity School. Clockwise from the top left, they are:

Ella Johnson (MDiv) was the valedictorian of the 2024 graduating class at Texas Christian University, where she majored in Religion and Politics. A leader of Disciples on Campus at TCU, and involved at University Christian Church and Galileo Church in Fort Worth, she was also a HELM Leadership Fellow and a Be the Neighbor intern. She was raised in the Heart of the Rockies Christian Church in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Brandon Roberts (MA) is a 2025 honors graduate of Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois, where he majored in History and Educational Studies. His interests are in biblical studies and critical theory; he has already given several conference papers. Originally from Portland, Oregon, he became a member of the Gerlaw Christian Church while at Knox. He is an accomplished musician and his spouse, Marli Messner, is a poet.

Annika Fuller (MDiv) is a 2025 graduate of the New College of Florida. The UCC-related college has a nontraditional curriculum, which allowed her to major in Psychology and Religion while also continuing to pursue music performance. She studied in Germany during her final term. She has been a lifelong member of Palm Lake Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Florida, active in regional camps and the regional youth council, and a HELM Leadership Fellow.

Allison Nash (MDiv) is a 2022 BA and MA graduate of Earlham College in English and Education. She has been serving as a librarian at the St. Louis Language Immersion School. In St. Louis, she was active at Union Avenue Christian Church. Her home church is Park Christian Church in New Bedford, Indiana. Serving as a Disciples Peace Intern in summer 2024 catalyzed her decision to apply for MDiv studies. Allison plans to pursue the dual MDiv/MSW degree program and has already been accepted by the Crown School.

Fiyori Kidane (MDiv) served from 2023 through this spring as the People-to-People Coordinator for Disciples Overseas Ministries. She is a 2019 graduate of Texas Christian University and a former HELM Leadership Fellow. After graduation, she served as a Global Mission intern in Greece, where she worked with refugees. Her home congregation is Allisonville Christian Church in Indianapolis.

Hayden Skaggs (MDiv) is a 2025 honors graduate of Eureka College, where he studied Sociology and Religion. He has been preparing for leadership in congregational, multi-religious, and academic contexts, including as an intern at Eureka Christian Church and as a Be the Neighbor intern. He was a Lincoln Academy of Illinois Student Laureate, a HELM Leadership Fellow, a Phillips University Leadership Fellow, and a campus leader at Eureka. This summer, he walked the Camino de Santiago across northern Spain.

This fall, they will join nine continuing scholars, five new ecumenical residents, and seven returning residents.