NEWS

Campus celebrates MLK in awards ceremony

Dexter Sullivan gives a speech about the importance of remaining “divinely dissatisfied” to ignite the fight for justice. Paula Farmer | Washtenaw Voice

By Alejandra Smith

Staff Writer

The campus community gathered on Jan. 12 for a celebration of commemoration which honored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in anticipation of MLK Day Jan 18.

WCC’s 18th Annual MLK day celebration had the theme of economic justice at its forefront.

This quote from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. reiterated the celebration’s theme: “[If] a man doesn’t have a job or an income, he has neither life nor liberty nor the possibility for the purpose of happiness. He merely exists.”

These words themselves set the stage for keynote speaker Dexter Sullivan, a principal consultant at a forerunner consulting agency and a wboard chair for three different non-profit organizations.

WCC President Rose Bellanca, Eric Reed, dean of student access, success, equity and inclusion, and Corey Jackson, client relations manager, introduced Sullivan.

The speech Sullivan gave focused on the importance of remaining “divinely dissatisfied” to ignite the fight for justice. He concluded with a call to action.

“Rise up to the difficult pursuits that are waiting to be surpassed by our innate brilliance, ability and will to win.” said Sullivan. “With a clear vision for justice, there is absolutely no limit to the greatness that we can achieve together.”

WCC also recognized four individuals for outstanding work in helping people in marginalized communities.

The annual Equity in Action Awards were given to English instructor Mary Mullalond, life sciences professor Susan Dentel, student adviser Alexi McCracken and Washtenaw County Sheriff Jerry Clayton.

The winners of the Equity in Action Awards are Mary Mullalond, Susan Dentel, Alexi McCracken, and Sheriff Jerry Clayton (not pictured). Paula Farmer | Washtenaw Voice

Dentel said, “I consider STEM Scholars to be a bridge to help students who are vulnerable. Every student is a diamond.”

“A lot of those students have untapped potential, they don’t know they’re a diamond,” she said.

Alejandro Cervantes, a computer science major attending the event said, “It’s great that we celebrate this yearly; we need to focus on those who don’t have a leg up in the world. It’s important to add your ideas to others in order to create something bigger.”