Disciples Divinity House

Fourteen individuals have been named Disciples Divinity House Scholars for the 2025-26 academic year. Their awards provide full tuition, housing, and stipends that allow for immersive preparation at DDH and through MDiv, MA, or PhD degree programs at the University of Chicago Divinity School. Several named scholarships honor individuals and extend legacies of service, thought, and action. 

New Scholars
Annika Fuller (MDiv) is the M. Elizabeth Dey Scholar. She is a 2025 graduate of the New College of Florida, where she majored in Psychology and Religion and studied music performance. 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.
Ella Johnson (MDiv) has been named the Martin Family Scholar. She 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.
Fiyori Kidane (MDiv) is the inaugural recipient of the Jim and Peggy Powell Scholarship. She is a 2019 graduate of Texas Christian University and a former HELM Leadership Fellow. After graduation, she worked with refugees in Greece as a Global Mission Intern. More recently, she served as the People-to-People Coordinator for Disciples Overseas Ministries. Her home congregation is Allisonville Christian Church in Indianapolis.
Allison Nash (MDiv), a 2022 BA and MA graduate of Earlham College in English and Education, was the librarian at the St. Louis Language Immersion School. Serving as a Disciples Peace Intern in summer 2024 catalyzed her decision to pursue the MDiv/MSW degrees. While in St. Louis, she was active at Union Avenue Christian Church. She is the Oreon E. Scott Entering Scholar, named for a Disciples lay leader from Union Avenue.
Brandon Roberts (MA) is a 2025 honors graduate of Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois, where he majored in History and Educational Studies. Originally from Portland, Oregon, he became a member of the Gerlaw Christian Church while at Knox. He is the Henry Barton Robison Scholar. His interests are biblical studies and critical theory. He is DDH's new librarian. 
Hayden Skaggs (MDiv) is the William N. Weaver Entering Scholar. He is a 2025 honors graduate of Eureka College, where he studied Sociology and Religion, was a campus leader, and interned at Eureka Christian Church. He was a Lincoln Academy of Illinois Student Laureate, HELM Leadership Fellow, Phillips University Leadership Fellow, and interned with Be the Neighbor.

Continuing Scholars
Rachel Abdoler (PhD student in the History of Christianity) is the Barbara and Clark Williamson Scholar in recognition of her commitment to interreligious understanding. She studies the Copto-Islamic milieu in Egypt through medieval Christian texts written in Arabic. A Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad Fellowship is underwriting her research in collections of the Vatican Libraries and in Cairo.
Delaney Beh (MDiv) has been awarded the M. Ray and Phyllis Schultz Scholarship, which recognizes promise for pastoral ministry. This summer brought a formative opportunity to preach and lead as the sabbatical minister at First Congregational Church UCC in Loveland, Colorado, where alumna Thandiwe Dale-Ferguson serves as minister.
Grace Dearhamer (MDiv) has received the Florence Drum and Eleanor Tenant Scholarship. She is doing field education at First Christian Church of Arlington Heights with alumna Allie Lundblad. A summer internship sponsored by Week of Compassion in partnership with National Council of Churches of the Philippines, provided hands-on experience and reflective learning about disaster relief and international sustainable development.
Katie Varon (MDiv) is the W. Barnett Blakemore Scholar. She and Grace Dearhamer worked alongside each other in a summer internship in the Philippines (see above). She is interested in the intersection of religion and politics and plans to pursue the dual MDiv/MA in Public Policy program. She serves as DDH’s Head Resident.
MariaIsabelle Garcia (MDiv) was immersed in the life of Allisonville Christian Church in Indianapolis this summer. Under the mentorship of Associate Minister Sarah Zuniga, Isabelle learned about community outreach, preached her first sermon, and helped to create an alternative third worship service. Now engaged in field education as University Christian Church in Chicago, she is the Dr. Geunhee and Mrs. Geunsoon Yu Scholar.
Hart Lang (MDiv), the Edward Scribner Ames Scholar, is a performance artist and a storyteller who holds a MFA in creative writing. The study of Christian spirituality and ministry are broadening his practice and sense of his own vocation. This year he will engage field learning at Lakeview Presbyterian Church.
The Rolland and Laura Frances Sheafor Scholarship has been awarded to Tristan Spangler-Dunning (MDiv). A MA graduate of Union Theological Seminary and a history buff, he has worked on a history of the Pension Fund and is doing field education with the Church Narrative Project.
The Bernard F. and Annie Mae Cooke Scholar is Emma Yeager (MA), who is studying themes of ecology in medieval theology and literature and exploring an interest in museum work. During a summer internship with the University’s Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures (ISAC, formerly the Oriental Institute), she created a new tour focused on religion in the ancient Near East.
The William Daniel Cobb Alumni/ae Scholarship, awarded by the Alumni/ae Council, enabled nine incoming and continuing Scholars and June graduates to attend the General Assembly of the Christian Church in Memphis, Tennessee, July 12-15. They participated in business sessions, workshops, exhibits, worship, and the DDH luncheon.