Recently, a generous bequest from Dr. William Dowell of First Christian Church – Chattanooga enabled the Disciples Divinity House to double scholarship awards to students. This spring, through the partnership between Vanderbilt Divinity School and DDH, all Disciple students received 100% tuition awards. Tuition awards from DDH supplement the scholarships awarded by Vanderbilt Divinity School.
“We are leaning into our core identity with renewed enthusiasm,” says the Acting Dean, Rev. Beth Pattillo, herself an alum and former House resident. “Our hallmarks are a supportive and engaged community, financial assistance that helps keep student debt low or non-existent, and low-cost housing adjacent to the Vanderbilt campus.”
Chartered originally as The Disciples Foundation, Inc in 1927, the Disciples Divinity House at Vanderbilt seeks to prepare excellent Disciples ministers through a supportive community of faith. For almost a hundred years, DDH-Vanderbilt has provided tuition awards, low-cost housing, and programming on the practice of ministry. Each semester, students focus on a particular aspect of ministry, including sacred practice, missional and nonprofit practice, personal spiritual practice, and more.
DDH sits one short block from Vanderbilt Divinity School, providing convenience and affordability amidst the rising costs of the Nashville real estate market. The House welcomes Disciples of Christ students as well as ecumenical residents from other traditions as space allows. The diverse community this year represents five countries, nine states, and two American territories. Opportunities for friendship and ministry formation abound!
A long-term visioning plan, begun in 2018 and interrupted by the pandemic, has recently come to fruition as DDH explores where its ministry may meet the current moment and beyond. The Board of Trustees looks forward to sharing more in the coming weeks about the future they are pursuing for the Disciples Divinity House.
DDH-Vanderbilt continues to receive applications for tuition assistance and housing for the 2023-2024 academic year. Inquiries should be directed to: admin@discipleshousevandy.org, and more information can be found on our website. www.discipleshousevandy.org.