DHE Leadership Fellows Program Applications Now Available
Division of Higher Education web site

Undergraduate students willing to take a leadership role in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) are invited to apply for the first Division of Higher Education Leadership Fellows Program.

"The purpose of the Division of Higher Education is to nurture men and women - lay and clergy - for transformational leadership in the church and the wider human community through the church's institutions of higher education," said DHE president Dennis Landon. "Active involvement in campus ministries and other leadership-related activities will encourage and strengthen a student's church leadership potential."

This summer, DHE expects to name 32 Leadership Fellows for the 2001-2002 academic year. The annual grant for fellows will be $2,000.

To be eligible for the fellowship, a student must:

• Be an undergraduate student or a high school senior planning to attend a regionally accredited American college or university;
• Intend to be a full-time student (24 or more semester hours or equivalent) in the coming academic year;
• Be a participating member of a congregation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ);
• Express a commitment to serve the church as a clergy or lay leader and to participate in the leadership development activities required by the DHE Leadership Fellows Program.

Awards will now be renewable, meaning fewer new scholarships will be issued annually.

Fellowship guidelines and the application packet are available online at www.dhedisciples.org or through the mail by calling (314) 991-3000 between 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Central Time Monday through Friday.

All materials for the 2001-2002 scholarships must be postmarked by April 16, 2001. This includes an official transcript from the student's current school, a completed copy of the Free Application for Financial Student Aid (FAFSA) form OMB 1845-0008 titled "Student Aid Report," and all forms included in the application packet available on the DHE web site.

DHE's scholarship program for undergraduate Disciples students is funded using income from a series of endowment gifts. About two-thirds of scholarships go to students at Disciples-related colleges and universities, and about one-third to students at other independent institutions and at public universities. Including cooperative efforts with local congregations, DHE helped distribute almost $178,000 in scholarships in 2000.

Fourteen universities and seven theological institutions in 12 states are in covenant with the Christian Church, serving 24,000 students. In addition, three schools and three theological institutions maintain historical ties with the denomination. Also, DHE is affiliated with more than 80 campus ministries programs across the country.

Contact: Brad Lyons, Director of Communications
(314) 991-3000 - blyons@dhedisciples.org