Scholarships are offered for continuing education to post-high school members of the Nebraska Disciples’ congregations. Cotner provides assistance for undergraduate and graduate work, as well as individual events for clergy and laity. Many scholarship funds have been established in honor of or in memory of Cotner alumni, Disciple family members, pastors and others. Interest income from these gifts provides the funds for scholarship assistance. Most funds are not designated and may be used wherever needed. At this time, there are five designated funds: the Elsie Fisher Fund for University of Nebraska students; the Mackie Sisters’ Fund, for ministry students, and the Rev. W. Howard and Mary Holverson Fund established by Dr. Augustine Okonkwo to be used to support an individual who has demonstrated a genuine love for God and human beings like Rev. and Mrs. Holverson and is willing to work for the Christian Church.” The Donna Doerr Fund and the Robert E. Dana Fund are designated for United Church of Christ applicants.
Clergy Enrichment
- The annual Clergy Convocation and Continuing Education Events are designed to give special attention to the needs of Disciple pastors.
- Cotner helps to sponsor ecumenical events and workshops including National and International Symposiums, which bring to Nebraska nationally and internationally known speakers.
- Cotner scholarships are given for clergy continuing education and have helped to scholarship clergy to Phillips Theological Seminary and Brite Divinity School to hear people such as Tex Sample, Tony Campolo, Barbara Brown Taylor, and others.
- Clergy Enrichment events are open and pastors are encouraged to invite their ecumenical colleagues and their interested parishioners.