Wednesday, November 20, 2002
Contact: Brad Lyons, Director of Communications
(314) 991-3000 — blyons@dhedisciples.org

Disciples with leadership potential for the church who will attend college next year are invited to apply for two leader scholarship programs offered by the Division of Higher Education and the Phillips University Legacy Foundation.

Students who will attend a four-year college beginning in the fall of 2003 may apply for the Division of Higher Education Leadership Fellows Program. This includes incoming freshmen and students transferring from a junior or community college. To qualify for the fellowship, which includes a $2,000 grant, a student must be a member of a Disciples congregation. Students are paired with a mentor who will develop leadership skills in a project on or near the student's campus. Currently 26 Disciples students have been recognized as DHE Leadership Fellows.

Students who attend any of the 17 colleges and universities affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) may apply to be a Phillips University Legacy Scholar. All undergraduate students are eligible to apply for the Phillips scholarship, which can be as much as $5,000. Phillips Scholars must agree to a volunteer service project on or near their campus. Currently 11 students on Disciples campuses are Phillips Scholars.

Both scholarships include the student's expenses to attend a leadership development conference, usually held in November, and each can be renewed for up to three additional years if the student meets academic and service standards.

Guidelines and application forms can be downloaded free online at www.disciplesscholarships.org or may be requested by calling the Division of Higher Education at 314-991-3000. Both applications require an essay, three references, and official transcripts, and all materials must be postmarked no later than March 15, 2003. Students will be notified by May 1 whether they have received the scholarship. Applications for the Phillips Scholars must also include financial aid information.

DHE works to nurture transforming leadership for the church in partnership with the 14 universities and seven theological institutions in covenant with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). In addition, three schools and three theological institutions maintain historical or associate ties with the denomination. DHE is also affiliated with more than 80 campus ministry programs across the country. Including cooperative efforts with local congregations, DHE helped distribute more than $269,000 in scholarships in 2002.

The Phillips University Legacy Foundation awarded the first Phillips Scholars grants during the 2002-2003 academic year. The PULF program perpetuates the mission and legacy of Phillips University through undergraduate scholarships, grants for faculty at Disciples-related colleges and universities, and grants for former Phillips University faculty and staff. Scholarships are funded by $3 million of the now-closed university's remaining assets transferred to the Phillips University Legacy Foundation in May 2001 and by additional gifts and bequests from Phillips alumni and friends. PULF worked with the Division of Higher Education of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) to administer the grant collection process.