Legacy Awards honor local leaders for outstanding service, advocacy

Graphic featuring a black and white portrait of Martin Luther King Jr.

will host its annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Awards on Tuesday, Jan. 27 at 5:30 p.m. in the Riffe Rotunda. Held as part of the University’s celebration of the life and work of Dr. King, the event recognizes individuals and organizations who exemplify the values of service, leadership and equity.

Nominations for the Legacy Awards were submitted by students, faculty, staff, alumni and members of the tri-state community to spotlight those whose work reflects Dr. King’s enduring call to build a more just and compassionate world.

This year’s Beloved Community Service Award will be presented to Backpack Buddies, a local initiative providing weekend meals to school-age children to help address food insecurity. Through its sustained commitment to meeting a basic community need, the program represents the values of compassion and resourcefulness the award seeks to honor.

Brent Pyles will receive the Alumni Humanitarian Award in recognition of his quiet but impactful record of volunteerism and service, illustrating his sense of responsibility to others.

The Dr. Charles Jarrett Emerging Leader Award for secondary students will be awarded to Bridge Builders Program, which supports middle and high school students with mentoring and leadership development. The post-secondary award will go to the Student Nurses Association at OHIO Southern, whose members serve the community through health-centered outreach while preparing to enter the nursing profession. These awards honor students who are not only active in their schools and communities, but who also work to address issues at their root, creating lasting, positive change.

The Drum Major Award will be presented to the , a collaborative project that brings attention to the region’s Black history and the role of Appalachian communities in the Underground Railroad. Funded by an POWER Grant, the initiative has engaged local educators, cultural organizations and students in preserving stories too often left untold and represents a vision of equity-driven placemaking and historical justice.

Honoring winners of the 2026 Martin Luther King Jr. Writing Contest

The ceremony will also recognize winners of the 2026 Martin Luther King Jr. Writing Contest, which invited middle and high school students to submit original poetry and essays inspired by Dr. King's words.

In the middle school division, Marlie Wilson of Ironton Middle School earned first place for “The Right Way to Lead,” Addi Harmon, also of Ironton Middle School, received second place for “The Most Beautiful Gift,”and Addison Woodyard of Ironton Middle School earned third place for “The Rule of Love and Light.” In the high school division, Emma Mays of South Point High School earned first place for “A World Perspective,” Kendall Simpson of St. Joe High School received second place for “Injustice,” and Isabella Elizabeth Stevens Ison of Green High School received third place for “Light over Darkness; Love over Hate.”

The annual Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration brings together voices across generations to uplift the values of compassion, service and justice. By recognizing the leadership of students and community members alike, the event encourages continued action toward a more equitable future and celebrates the individuals who are helping move the region forward.

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