Debra Von Fischer Samuelson and Mary Shore Endowed Scholarship Fund

The Debra Von Fischer Samuelson and Mary Shore Endowed Scholarship Fund was established in 2012 to honor the courage and visionary leadership demonstrated by Professor Mary Shore and Rev. Debra Von Fischer Samuelson. The fund was created by Nancy Christman, a Masters of Divinity student enrolled in the Distributed Learning program. Both of these women were instrumental in building and nurturing a new way for those called to ministry to earn a M.Div. degree without living on or near campus. The program, called Distributed Learning began in 2007. Nancy Christman describes her two mentors as “beautifully who God calls us to be; embodying faith so clearly they can’t help but draw others into God’s holy communion. With great humility they quietly serve the church yet skillfully reveal the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” Nancy goes on to say, “Deb and Mary fervently understand that we are all God’s co-creators – called to make a difference in this world; called to help in God’s mission in the world; in simple terms – called to love God and love others. God’s creation is in desperate need of this kind of leadership, which is why this scholarship is in Mary’s and Deb’s names. They are such fine examples.” This scholarship provides important support annually for M. Div. students in the Distributed Learning program.