On Thursday, May 19, 2011 the Disciples Seminary Foundation (DSF) officially named the School of Theology and Ministry at Seattle University as a Partner School. This move brings STM alongside other DSF partner schools, Claremont School of Theology and Pacific School of Religion. This agreement opens up scholarship opportunities for Disciples Master of Divinity students enrolled at STM as well as other scholarship possibilities and connections with the wider Disciples community.

In the words of Jon Berquist, President of DSF: "DSF serves as one of the Disciples' seven institutions of theological education. Our mission is to support and enhance theological education throughout the west. For fifty years, we have operated partnerships with seminaries so that we could provide Disciples education in training ministers, connect seminarians to the wider denomination, enhance education and offer scholarship support to students. We've been associated with Claremont School of Theology since 1960 and with Pacific School of Religion since 1987. Together, we have trained 700 students we're proud to call our alumni. Through the generosity of many faithful donors, we are blessed with a $10 million endowment and a $1 million budget for this work.

I am thrilled to announce that Mark Markuly, dean of STM, has signed an agreement of affiliation that names STM as DSF's third partner school. Beginning in Fall 2011, all STM Disciples MDiv students will be allowed to apply for DSF scholarships at 40% of tuition. We'll also be providing some travel scholarships to qualified students, and we'll be a conduit of information from the general church to students about Seminarians Conference and General Assembly. DSF students are eligible to apply for a number of nationwide Disciples scholarships, and to serve on a number of general church committees and task forces for additional experience. We're glad to extend all of this to STM students as well."

As part of the partnership agreement, Sandy Messick, the Regional Minister of the Northwest Region will now have a permanent ex-officio seat on the DSF board as will the Dean of STM. The President of DSF will serve on the Disciples Outreach Team. Commented Messick, “I am so grateful to Jon Berquist and Mark Markuly for their willingness to explore new possibilities and excited about the new connections this opens up for our Disciples students in the Northwest.”