The Student Life Department at Newman University has scheduled its 3rd annual Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Walk and community awards program, which will be presented at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 18, as a virtual celebration via the Newman Student Life Facebook.
This year’s virtual program will feature Newman University students who will highlight not only King but aalso the unsung heroes and sheroes that helped him bring his dream to fruition.
The program will conclude with the announcement of the 2021 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Distinguished Service Award winners.
The awards honor individuals for their service in keeping with the principles and ideals of King.
The 2021 categories and their final two nominees were:
- Newman University faculty, staff and alumni — Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach Clarissa Krum and Associate Professor and Director of Theatre Mark Manette
- Newman University students — senior biology major Gabrielle Altenor and senior social work major Deborah Moss and
- Members or organizations of the Wichita community — Stephanie Byers, state representative for the 86th district, and Jermane Milton, award-winning gospel artist and minister of music
Nominations began in November 2020 and concluded on Dec. 7, 2020. The winners will be announced during the Jan. 18 virtual event.
“We want to celebrate and honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a civil rights pioneer who fought tirelessly for equity, inclusion and justice,” said Joseph Shepard, director of multicultural engagement and campus life. “This unity walk and celebration are a way for us to keep his dream alive by celebrating individuals in our community who live out Dr. King’s vision.”
