SCHOLARSHIPS

The Ecumenical Theological Seminary is able to offer limited scholarship funds thanks to the generosity of donors. Seeking outside funding (e.g., from your church, denomination, employer, or regionally/nationally available scholarships) is also recommended.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Each of the scholarships below is awarded once per year, at the beginning of the Fall Term for academic year in which it is awarded. Applications are available in spring. The application due date for all scholarships below is July 31, 2025.

To apply for a scholarship, click on the link below to read its specific requirements. Be sure to follow all the directions for each scholarship, as each requires a separate application. Preference will be given to applications tailored to the scholarship for which they are submitted. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Be sure to read all the instructions and submit all required documents.

General Scholarship Policies:

• Deadline to apply: July 31

  • Prior recipients of any ETS scholarship are eligible to apply; however, preference will be given to students who have not received the same scholarship before.

  • Determinations will be made no later than August 8, and all applicants will be notified of the final decision by the ETS Scholarship Committee.

  • Successful applicants will receive their awards as funds applied to their student account in Populi. These funds must remain on the student’s account to be used for payment of tuition and fees only, unless otherwise specified.

  • For students using Federal Financial Aid: Scholarships are included in Other Financial Assistance (OFA). When determining a student's need for federal Direct Loans, the amount of OFA may impact the amount of Direct loans a student/parent can borrow. A student/parent can only borrow up to the Cost of Attendance minus the OFA.

  • All ETS scholarship recipients are required to write a thank-you letter to the donor before funds will be applied to their account.
    

• For scholarships that are limited to current students in good standing, this means:

  • The student has already completed at least one term at ETS

  • The student has not had a gap in enrollment other than a leave of absence properly documented and approved

  • The student meets the minimum GPA for the scholarship

  • The student is current on their financial obligations to ETS

The Minister Dr. Malaney Brown Scholarships are open to new and returning ETS students whose studies are supportive of the Minister Dr. Malaney Brown Institute for Ministry Initiatives’ mission and the legacy and work of Dr. Malaney L. Brown, who served the Church in local and international medical missions.

Funds may be used for academic expenses, directed-study projects, and travel, both locally and abroad.

Candidates who are current ETS students must:

• Be in good standing

• Have a minimum GPA of 3.0

• Demonstrate financial need

New ETS students must have demonstrated prior academic excellence.

Award Amounts:

• Doctoral Program: One (1) award for $2000 for one year

• Masters / Certificate: Two (2) awards of $1000 each for one year

• Diploma / Other programs: Two (2) awards of $500 each for one year

Applicants must submit:

• Online application form

• The names and contact information for three (3) references

• A 500-word essay demonstrating how their ministry and education supports the mission and purpose of the Min. Dr. Malaney L. Brown Institute for Ministry Initiatives

• A financial plan for completing the current program of study

Members/representatives of the Brown/Gilliard families will participate in the review of candidates. These awards can be made anytime during the academic year. Awardees must meet all scholarship and assistive funding requirements. If the foregoing allotment is not achieved, the awards can be made in subsequent years.

APPLICATION

About the Donor/Scholarship:

Malaney Lucille (Gilliard) Brown was born December 22, 1949 in Detroit, Michigan to the union of Johnnie Maude Hammond and Rufus Gilliard. Malaney had 3 siblings Archie Gilliard (deceased), Maurice (Petey) Gilliard (deceased), Rufus Gilliard Sr (deceased).

She accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age. And Malaney firmly believed all of her service and all of her accomplishments were due to the magnificent grace of God.

Malaney met her husband Andrew in high school in 1965, but they were not close. They met again in college and their relationship grew over the years. On April 3, 1972 they were joined in matrimony. The Browns were based in Morristown, New Jersey but also worked in Green River, Wyoming before returning to the Detroit area, where they’ve resided since 1973. The Browns celebrated 50 years of marriage in 2022.

Malaney was devoted to caring for and mentoring her nephews and nieces. She wanted to ensure that their priorities were leading a Christian life and getting an education. She also wanted them to have a firm foundation and learn life lessons to support them for the future. Her mentoring extended not only to her immediate family but included extended family and friends.

Malaney was an active church member and most recently served as Associate Minister of the Historic St. James Baptist Church of Detroit, Michigan. She was not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, so she taught and preached the Word of God at every opportunity.

Malaney said of herself that she is a child of God striving to be a faithful servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. Although she came from humble beginnings, Malaney acknowledged that she had been blessed to attend some of Michigan’s best schools. She graduated from Cass Technical High School and received her B.S. Degree in Medical Technology from Wayne State University (both are local Detroit schools). In 1979, she received her Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree from the University of Michigan, which at that time was rated the No. 1 dental school in the United States. Malaney also received a Masters Degree from Ashland Theological Seminary, where she served on the Advisory Board.

After her graduation from U. of M., Malaney began providing dental service in the neighborhoods of Detroit. She owned and operated her dental practice for 41 years. During this time, she mentored several dentists, hygienists, and dental assistants. Malaney provided dental service as a missionary to Cape Town, South Africa, and Jamaica. Additionally, she set up a medical mission where she and other healthcare professionals provided medical and dental services to Squatter’s Camp residents in South Africa.

Malaney received multiple awards, citations, and recognitions for her service and achievements. She was recognized by the National Association of Business Women, the City of Detroit, the Wolverine State Baptist Convention, the Lydia Circle of Christian Business and Professional Women, and she was listed as one of Hour Magazine’s Best Dentists. Again, Malaney firmly believed that all of her service and all of her accomplishments were due to the magnificent grace of God.

Malaney enjoyed playing baseball (don’t block the plate), racquetball, and tennis. She won trophies playing golf and enjoyed fishing (the big one never got away). She travelled extensively to Las Vegas, Nevada, Hawaii, and Europe. She also enjoyed a good game of Bid Whist and took great pleasure in “running a Boston.”

Malaney went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday November 8, 2022 from the St. Joseph Select Specialty Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

She leaves to cherish her memory and celebrate her life: her husband Dr. Andrew Brown Jr.; nephews Archie Levell Gilliard (Detroit), Jon-Telly Gilliard (San Antonio); nieces April Gilliard-Garner (Detroit), Johnnie Gilliard-Lamb (Detroit) and Kristina Gilliard (Dallas). Malaney leaves to cherish her memory several great nieces and nephews. She had a very special place in her heart for her “adopted children” of Marquis Jr., Mia, Marcus, Seth, Kyra, James, Jojo, Leeanna, Dominique, and Nellie. And there are a host of brothers-in-laws, sisters-in-laws, cousins, colleagues and friends who love her and will miss her.

The Grosse Pointe Memorial Church Scholarship is open to current ETS students who

• Are in good standing

• Are currently enrolled in a master’s-level program

• Have a minimum GPA of 3.25

• Reside in the greater Detroit Metro Area

• Are fully engaged in ministry/community work for the past three (3) years

• Demonstrate financial need.

Award amount: $5,000 for one year

Applicants must submit:

• Online application form

• The names and contact information for three (3) references

• A one-page essay regarding, “What I will do to benefit my community when I complete my master’s degree from the Ecumenical Theological Seminary”

• A financial plan for completing the current program of study.

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In addition to writing the thank-you letter, recipients will be required to meet with the GPMC Mission Committee periodically to discuss their progress.

APPLICATION

About the Donor/Scholarship:

Grosse Pointe Memorial Church is a 1,200 member congregation of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Started in 1985 as the Grosse Pointe Evangelical Protestant Association, our long history is a rich one. The greatest treasures we have are our members. As a Presbyterian Church, we are a congregation where every member is a minister.

While Grosse Pointe Memorial Church is served as an outstanding staff of ministers and lay people, we are all called to do God's work in the world, not just our pastors. In light of that commitment, the following mission and vision statement was adopted in March of 2012.

Sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked as Christ's own forever, Grosse Pointe Memorial Church is created by God to worship the Lord and serve His people. Sharing God's love and caring for God's people, we call disciples of all ages to put faith into action by worshipping God joyfully, welcoming others graciously, supporting one another lovingly and serving all faithfully.

The Ruthie May Harris Scholarship for Women in Theological Studies is open to female students:

• In good standing

• Currently enrolled in a master’s-level program.

• Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and

• Demonstrate financial need.

Award amount: $1,000 for one year

Applicants must submit:

• Online application form

• A pastoral or professional letter of recommendation

• A short essay describing the ministry work in which you are currently engaged (minimum of one page and no more than two, double-spaced). Please share specifics. You should ensure that your essay meets seminary standards and is properly dated. Reviewers will include the Harris family

• A financial plan for completing the current program of study.

APPLICATION

About the Donor/Scholarship:

The Ruthie May Harris Scholarship for Women in Theological Studies is funded by the family of Rev. Dr. Kenneth E. Harris, President of Ecumenical Theological Seminary. Dr. Harris and Ruthie were married for fifty years before her death in April of 2020. Both of their living daughters are ministers of the gospel. Kenita (B.A., MDIV., MACD) is an ordained pastor in the Reformed Church of America and a graduate of Western Theological Seminary. She now works as the Chief Operating Officer of Jefferson East in Detroit. Karisa Harris-Turner (B.A., MSW, MACE) is a social worker/therapist and a graduate of Ashland Theological Seminary. Both daughters now serve with their dad at Detroit Bible Tabernacle.

Ruthie was born in Estelle, Mississippi in 1948. She grew up on a cotton plantation in the Delta region. Her father was an accomplished furniture maker and produced church and home furnishings. Her mom died when she was about twelve years old, and she came to Detroit to live with her aunt Bessie and uncle Plase Adams. She graduated from Mumford High School and worked for Detroit Memorial Hospital. She later became the office manager for a well-known Detroit law firm. She worked there until she expressed a desire to become a full-time homemaker and give care to her daughters. Ken and Ruthie agreed, and she never worked outside of the home until she became Administrator of the Detroit Baptist Temple Christian Academy (DBTCA). Their daughters attended DBTCA, and Ruthie was content to work to make their school the best it could be. DBTCA graduates went on to attend magnet High Schools and schools like the University of Michigan, Marygrove College, Hope College, Western and Ashland seminaries, Wayne State University, and other fine schools.

Ruthie supported Dr. Harris and their daughters as they engaged their educational pursuits. She had a great love for the Holy Scriptures, which she diligently studied every day. She looked forward to Sunday and Wednesday Bible studies, and Dr. Harris' home library became her library. She was a partner in ministry and led the Women's Ministry at DBT until her passing.

Ruthie strongly believed in educational opportunities for men and women, but she especially encouraged her daughters to pursue theological and ministry training. Ruthie would be especially proud of this initiative.