WCU Magazine Fall/Winter 2025

Celebrating the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The University commemorated the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on January 23 with its annual MLK Awards Celebration, a campus tradition that honors individuals and organizations who exemplify Dr. King’s commitment to justice, equity, and service.

Held in Sykes Ballrooms, the event was organized and hosted by The Society of WCU, a University organization of faculty and staff who are committed to fostering social consciousness and inclusiveness. The program serves as both a commemoration and a fundraiser, with proceeds supporting the Frederick Douglass Legacy Scholarship.

The celebration brought together about 100 students, alumni, University leadership, and community members for an afternoon of reflection and recognition. Community members included State Sen. John Kane and State Rep. Chris Pielli, Donnell Sheppard representing U.S. Representative Chrissy Houlahan’s office, and West Chester Borough Manager Sean Metrick.

President Dr. Laurie Bernotsky opened the event and said the University has a responsibility to honor Dr. King and his legacy by thinking critically and acting ethically.

At the heart of the event was the presentation of several awards recognizing outstanding service and leadership.

DRUM MAJOR FOR JUSTICE AWARD

The 2026 Drum Major for Justice Award was presented to Dr. Lisa M. Montgomery, a higher education leader and triple alumna of WCU. The award honors alumni whose lives and work reflect Dr. King’s call to be “a drum major for justice,” a phrase drawn from one of his final sermons.

Dr. Montgomery is WCU’s director of student advocacy and resources. She leads efforts to support students facing financial and basic needs challenges. A firstgeneration college graduate, she made WCU history as the first African American to earn a doctor of education in policy, planning, and administration. Her career spans more than 33 years, including more than two decades in corporate leadership at the Vanguard Group and 12 years in higher education.

Her work closely aligns with the University’s Moon Shot for Equity initiative, and she was recognized as a Moon Shot Maker in 2024 for her sustained contributions to student success and access. Through her leadership, Dr. Montgomery has helped remove barriers for countless students, advancing dignity, opportunity, and equity across campus and beyond.

“In my current role, I see students who have concerns about their ability to continue their education at West Chester because a basic and/or essential need is missing for them,” Dr. Montgomery said. “I live in my purpose every time I am able to help them bridge that gap. When education is paired with access, resources, and opportunity, students can imagine and pursue the lives that Dr. King envisioned: lives of dignity, contribution, and justice.”

LARRY DOWDY COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Dr. Daniela Johannes, associate professor of Latin American Studies and Spanish, received the Larry Dowdy Community Service Award. Named for Lawrence A. Dowdy ’79, former executive deputy to the president, the award recognizes exceptional community engagement and service. Dowdy presented the award to Dr. Johannes.

Dr. Johannes’ academic, creative, and service work is grounded in equity, cultural justice, and community-engaged public education. For eight years, she directed the Latinx Communities Conference, transforming it into a vital interdisciplinary forum that connects students, faculty, artists, activists, and community organizations. She currently serves as director of the Greater Philadelphia Latin American Studies Consortium, which advances collaboration and access to cultural and academic resources across the region.

At WCU, Dr. Johannes has co-founded several women-of-color-led initiatives, including the Latinx Social Justice Collective and the Women of Color Caucus. She also played a central role in shaping equity guidelines within the College of Arts and Humanities through her leadership with the Equity, Access, Inclusion and Diversity Initiatives (EAIDI) Grant Program. Her work has left a visible legacy on campus, including a permanent collective mural in Sykes Student Union. Created with students and community members, it celebrates Latinx identities.

“I believe deeply that universities should not be fortresses,” Dr. Johannes said. “They should be places where knowledge circulates outward and inward, where community wisdom is not extracted but honored, where students learn that service is not an extracurricular activity. It’s a way of being in the world.”

STUDENT ORGANIZATION LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

The Student Organization Leadership and Community Service Award was presented to Black Men United (BMU), which is dedicated to empowering and enriching the campus community through service, leadership development, and advocacy around issues affecting African American men. The organization focuses on academic and professional support, leadership opportunities, community engagement, and creating a safe and supportive environment for its members.

Through consistent campus involvement and community outreach, BMU has played a vital role in fostering connection, visibility, and support for all at WCU, while also working with other affinity groups to strengthen the broader campus community.

BMU President Amari Jackson accepted the award. A senior integrative biology major, Jackson said he was especially touched by a Dr. King quote that he read when learning about BMU receiving the award: “Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve.”

“At Black Men United, we’ve taken that message to heart,” he noted. “BMU was founded on the belief that leadership was not about titles but about responsibilities – to our campus, to our community and to each other. This award affirms that service, mentorship, and advocacy are not just ideals we talk about but values we actively live out.”

More than a single day, the University’s 2026 MLK celebration also included the annual MLK Day of Service on January 22, held in collaboration with the Center for Community Engagement & Social Impact, in which participants disinfected toys for local community partners. The concluding event this year was a webinar with award-winning actor, New York Times best-selling author, entrepreneur, and nationally recognized youth advocate Hill Harper on January 27. Honored with seven NAACP Image Awards, Harper serves on the boards of the National Black Bank Fund and several other national initiatives focused on equity and economic empowerment.