MLK Week

Celebrated on the third Monday in January, MLK Day is a federal holiday that celebrates the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The day was first recognized in 1986, following a declaration by President Ronald Reagan. Dr. King, who dedicated his life to serving others and fighting for justice, is recognized as a hero and leader of the Civil Rights Movement. Dr. King’s numerous speeches, non-violent stance, and accomplishments have served as inspiration to generations of Americans. The University of Mount Union observes this federal holiday by holding no classes, and providing opportunities for service and reflection. The MLK Awards and Alpha Phi Alpha Book prize, given during the same week, are ways in which the university honors individuals who embody Dr. King’s vision through works of advocacy and social justice.

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Awards

Each year, the University presents the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK) Award to several individuals who best embody the values and principles exemplified by Dr. King's life work. Recipients include a Mount Union student (undergraduate or graduate), a Mount Union employee (full-time or part-time faculty or staff member), and a member of the Alliance community. Selection for the MLK Award will be based on the nominee’s exemplification of the following: Promoting racial harmony; Advocating for social justice; Collaborating with groups, offices, churches, or organizations; Demonstrating sustained commitment to diversity; Fostering inclusiveness and an appreciation of differences.

Alpha Phi Alpha Prize

The Alpha Phi Alpha Prize was established in 2015 by members of the Iota Phi chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. This scholarship was created to honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., who was a notable member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and to reward a current student who has carried on his legacy at Mount Union. The selected student receives a $500 scholarship to cover the cost of textbooks in the following semesters. The scholarship is awarded to one student yearly during the Martin Luther King Jr. Award Ceremony.

Submit a Nomination

2025 Award Recipients

Andrew Boothe (Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Faculty/Staff Award)

Andrew Boothe ’90 is the associate diversity officer and Title IX coordinator at the University of Mount Union. In this role, he works closely with the chief diversity officer and Title IX administrator, director of diversity programming, and various campus offices and leaders to catalyze institutional change, particularly among students, faculty, and staff, to ensure that the University is providing safety, inclusivity, and belonging on campus. Prior to joining the diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) team at Mount Union, Mr. Boothe served the University of Mount Union as the manager of payroll. He also served as the associate director of human resources. During his career, Mr. Boothe has been responsible for managing and coordinating all aspects of payroll to ensure accurate and timely payments to employees; developed and implemented payroll policies and initiatives to support the overall University goals; developed and implemented human resources initiatives that supported the overall goals and objectives of the University; served as a Title IX investigator and worked on several University committees. Mr. Boothe graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in accounting from Mount Union in 1990. He also earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Kent State University.
AJ Shorts (Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Student Award)

Anthony James “AJ” Shorts, is a senior who is involved in various campus organizations such as the Black Student Union and Brothers Building Bonds, where he has taken on roles that support and empower his peers, particularly students of color. These organizations are vital to creating a sense of community, and AJ’s contributions have strengthened the mission and values of both organizations. He has also dedicated his time on campus, helping incoming freshmen through his participation in Preview, where he assisted students in transitioning to college life by making them feel comfortable and informing them of the resources available on campus. AJ’s ability to connect with others and ensure they feel supported speaks to the very essence of why he is majoring in education to continue his outreach and calling to help others reach their full potential. AJ's work within our football program has also been invaluable. His presence as a student assistant not only strengthens our team but also reinforces the sense of unity for which Dr. King advocated. AJ consistently demonstrates servant leadership, and his contributions, both on and off the field, have made a lasting impact on our program. This dedication is why he is a perfect recipient of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. award.
Pastor Willie Bell (Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Award

Pastor Willie Bell is a 1966 graduate of Alliance High School. He was drafted and served in the United States Army and is a Vietnam Veteran with an honorable discharge with honors – the Purple Heart and Army Commendation Medals. Pastor Bell retired from American Steel Foundries of Alliance where he was a foreman with 30 years of service. He was a member of the Nobel Street Church of God in Christ under the late Elder J.M. Mainor. He accepted his call into the ministry in June 1994 at the Noble Street Church of God in Christ under Elder John Avery. Pastor Bell was ordained in July 1997 under the late Bishop Willie James, the president bishop of the Northeastern Ohio Jurisdiction of the Church of the God in Christ. He also served in many offices in the church and community. He was a trustee, deacon, teacher, and District YPWW superintendent of the Akron District Church of God in Christ and served in the Evangelist Department of the Akron District. He is also a minister for the hot lunch program at the neighborhood center and visiting pastor at the Alliance Hospital nursing home. Pastor Bell was called to serve as pastor in September 2000 at Community Institutional Baptist Church, now known as Community Lighthouse Church. He served as pastor for 13 years until called to pastor at the Second Baptist Church with his first service being on November 3, 2013. He is guided by God first and foremost, and he is a loving husband to his wife Deborah Bell, and his two children Latonya Bell and Jackie Wade. He has seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Daedae Nash (Alpha Phi Alpha Prize)

Da’Veonna “DaeDae” Nash, is a senior who is involved in various campus organizations where she advocates for social justice, equality, and equity for all. Utilizing her membership in the Black Student Union and Sister Circle, Dae Dae has focused on raising awareness about a wide range of challenges and issues that exist on campus and in our surrounding community. She is the president of Sister Circle, a member of the Black Student Union, a resident assistant, a Preview guide, a member of the women's track and field team, and a captain of our women’s basketball team. She has been awarded the Sarah Stevenson Award, Marge Cooke Prize, and Eugene Duke Barret Coaching Prize, which all illustrate her ability to make change within her major of education and within the sporting arena. She exemplifies tenants of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King’s belief in the power of service while uplifting her beloved community here on campus and back home in the city of Akron.

Past Award Recipients

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Awards

1993
Jeffrey B. Kurtz
Cenell R. Munford-Clark

1994
Gregory King
Amy J. Lavy

1995
Damon H. Taylor
Moses Trey Jones-Lewis

1996
Maisha Green
Gretchen Schuler
Dr. Gloria Malone

1997
Akilah Atkinson
Joseph Colla
Eric Howard
Curvis Rhyne

1998
Evelyn Brown
Eric D. Bortmas
Janee E. Dozier
Neil R. Gough

1999
Leslie Frost
Alicia Villanueva
Marilyn King
Gloria Magrath
Patricia Sacha
Virginia Proctor
Vivian Snodgrass

2000
Heather B. Adams
Kimberly Goodall
Stewart Family

2001
Monique Friend
Adam Gough
Alex Smith

2002
Tiffany Neal
Harold Hall
Rev. Scarborough

2003
LaKeisha Alston
Thomas Jefferson
Betty Young

2004
Chris Blakely
Dr. Martin Horning
Rayna Middleton
Dyannna Myers

2005
Jamese Willis
Dr. Bill Coleman
Gwen Dunagan
Phyllis Phillips
Terry Taylor

2006
Anthony Jones
Dr. Steven Kramer
Michelle Gaffney
Matthew Horning

2007
Fendrich R. Clark
Dr. Pete Schneller
Susan Denning
Victoria Snyder
Marcus Jackson
Rev. Bobby and Joyce Williams

2008
Tiffani Tribble
Rachel Camargo
Judge Robert Lavery
Dr. Judy Jones
Dr. Ivory Lyons

2009
Dr. Michelle Collins-Sibley Heather Stump
Bonnie Twaddle

2010
Barbara Lyons
Jeremy Evans
Betsy Cornell

2011
Lorie Miller
Darrel “Rich” Parr
Dave Hill

2012
Dr. Jim and Judy Thoma
Patrick Williams
Greg Rice

2013
Renee Young
Gill Goodwin
Lillian Evans

2014
Reverend Marty Cashburless
Richard Jackson
Paul Dykshoorn
Rachael Hagey

2015
John Gasparik
Dr. Jennifer Martin
John Frazier
Kimesha Flonnoy

2016
Mildred Grimes-Gurley
Cheryl Grimes
Keane Toney
Jessica Cunion
Caitie Shimp

2017
Reilly Augustine
Kristen Jackson
Aaron Hill, Sr.
Brianna Boehlke
Abby Honaker Schroeder
Capts. Matt and Debra Hamilton

2019
Ande’ Green
Darnell Tucker
Raymont Johnson

2020
Franki Bowman
Lisa Johnson
Taurice Scott

2021
Armon Cook
Nina Jackson
Kayla Young
Michael Gregg
Dr. Niki Johnson

2022
Melissa Gardner
Stacie Weimer
Jordan Edith

2023
Mary Beth Henning
Jaliyah Mixon
Aaliyah Kinnard
Mike and Libby Patterson

2024
Dr. Lori Braa
Elayne Dunlap
Kayla Kilgore
Alpha Phi Alpha Prize

2015
Kimesha Callie Flonnoy

2016
Caitlin Shimp

2017
Reilly Augustine

2018
Brianna Boehlke

2019
Ande'Marie Green

2020
Francesca Bowman

2021
Armon Cook

2022
Jordan Edith

2023
Aaliyah Kinnar

2024
Kayla Kilgore

MLK Week Schedule of Events

MLK Day of Service | January 20, 2025

The Martin Luther King, Jr., National Day of Service is a defining moment each year when Americans across the country step up to make communities more equitable and take action to create the Beloved Community of Dr. King’s dream. While Dr. King believed the Beloved Community was possible, he acknowledged and fought for systemic change. His example is our call to action. As part of this event, Americorps invites you to serve as a way to engage with your community and create constructive action, act on Dr. King’s legacy of social justice and equity, and recommit by volunteering to serve others. You can clean up a public space, mentor a young person, or help those who are food insecure.

Check in for the Day of Service will take place in the Peterson Field House of the McPherson Academic and Athletic Complex at 9 a.m. Service projects will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m./noon (end times will vary by service project and location).

Campus Volunteers

The day of service is open to students, employees, and community members who are looking to give back. Online registration is requested and should be submitted by January 16 at 5 p.m.

Register Here

Alumni and Friends

We would encourage everyone to find a way to get involved in one of the following ways:
1. Sign up to volunteer as part of our day of service. All are welcome!
2. Learn more about the National Day of Service and volunteer in your community.
3. Make a donation to a charity that makes a difference in your community. You can also make donations of clothing, school supplies, or hygiene items to non-profits.
National Day of Healing Unity Walk and Chapel Service | January 21, 2025

Join for the National Day of Healing Unity Walk and a special chapel service to connect, build relationships, and bridge divides. The event will feature guest speakers and student involvement.

Delivering the message for the chapel service will be Carmella Hill, director of counseling services at the University of Mount Union.

Hill, M.Ed., L.P.C.C.-S, is a licensed professional clinical counselor with supervising credentials in Ohio. She has worked within the mental health profession for over 20 years, serving the entire lifespan in various settings (e.g., community mental health agencies, nursing homes, and private practice). She enjoys clinical work, professional development, and supervising persons for licensure. She is a sought-after speaker for cultural diversity issues. She is often invited to conduct workshops and seminars on the topic for agencies, groups/teams, and organizations. She is passionate about helping professionals develop an awareness and sensitivity to multicultural issues.

Hill teaches, conducts workshops, and speaks at various conferences on other topics related to mental health, treatment, documentation, and leadership, to name a few. She has taught in higher education at the undergraduate and graduate levels since 2005. In addition to her role at Mount Union, she is an adjunct faculty member at Cleveland State University and Youngstown State University within the counseling programs.

The National Day of Healing Unity Walk will begin at Chapman Hall at 11:15 a.m. A special chapel service will follow.
Dr. Martin Luther King Keynote and Awards Ceremony | Thursday, January 23, 2025

The MLK awards will be presented at the University of Mount Union's MLK Jr. Keynote and Award Ceremony at 11:15 a.m. The ceremony and dessert reception will be held on in Presser Recital Hall in the Cope Music Hall.

The keynote speaker for the event will be Mrs. Kayla Griffin-Green.

With a background in community organizing, Griffin Green advocates for voter rights and election protection as the Ohio State Director for All Voting is Local. She leads statewide voter administration in this role and also serves as the president of the Cleveland NAACP.

Previously, she served as the special project director for the Division of Recreation for the City of Cleveland, implementing youth and young-adult violence prevention, intervention, and opportunity initiatives. Kayla chaired the Norman S. Minor Bar Association community engagement committee and served on numerous boards and committees.

Griffin Green holds Juris Doctorate and Master of Public Administration degrees from Cleveland State University and a bachelor’s degree from Kent State University.

During the event, the MLK awards will be presented to Andrew Boothe (Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Faculty/Staff Award), AJ Shorts (Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Student Award), Pastor Willie Bell (Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Award, and Daedae Nash (Alpha Phi Alpha Prize).