At the General Assembly in Nashville, in July, Dean Mark Markuly was present at the Disciples Seminary Foundation luncheon to be introduced as the new STM-DSF Partnership celebrated.

The Disciples partnership involves telling the STM story, recruiting and financially supporting Disciples students who enroll in the various degree programs. Members of the NW Region of the Christian Church (NWRCC) serve on the STM Disciples Outreach Team to strengthen the voice and cohesion of the partnership with STM

Early in 2011, conversations began with Jon Berquist, Foundation President (pictured left), Sandy Messick, DSF Board member and Mark Markuly, Dean of the School of Theology and Ministry (STM) to explore the development of a partnership where STM would be the third degree-granting seminary under the umbrella of the Foundation (Claremont School of Theology, Pacific School of Religion, and STM). This partnership provides STM full inclusion/participation in the life of The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in United States and Canada.

Dr. Jon Berquist says, "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.”

 Those attending the luncheon included Justin Umbright, STM student; Sharon Nichols, STM alumna, Class of 2011; Rev. Sandy Messick, Regional Minister, NW Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ); Rev. Nina Merkle Nestlerode First Christian Church and Rev. Dr. Glenn Nestlerode, First Christian Church, Canton, Illinois; and Dr. Mark S. Markuly, Dean, School of Theology and Ministry.