Jan. 5, 2021–The Center for Diversity and Inclusion at Missouri Western State University will host the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Drum Major for Justice Awards Banquet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 18 in the Enright Community Rooms, Spratt 214-216. There is no cost, but reservations are required. RSVP online at griff.vn/MLKrsvp by Friday, Jan. 14.

The MLK Drum Major for Justice Award is for citizens who live ordinary lives but do extraordinary acts of service with reliability and commitment. Awards will be presented to one Missouri Western student, one member of the St. Joseph community and one Missouri Western employee.

The name of the awards come from a sermon preached by King shortly before his assassination in 1968. King expressed hope that he would be remembered as one who served others. “Yes, if you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice. Say that I was a drum major for peace. I was a drum major for righteousness. And all of the other shallow things will not matter.”

For more information, email George Hudson, director of diversity and inclusion, at ghudson@missouriwestern.edu

Missouri Western State University is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit missouriwestern.edu.