Westminster University is once again honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and legacy with the annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration. This beloved tradition showcases the university’s commitment to actionable, positive change, inviting Westminster students, staff, and faculty to engage in service projects, rallies, and speaker events inspired by Dr. King’s legacy.
The celebration has deep roots at Westminster University. At a time when the state of Utah lagged for decades in acknowledging Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Westminster campus community members acted to recognize Dr. King’s work as a leading activist who worked to gain human and civil rights for African Americans and all who suffered social, economic, educational, and legal injustice. Westminster’s celebration advances the talk and action toward building healthy, respectful, and brave living and learning communities for all.
At the on-campus rally held on January 22, 2026, Dr. Christine Chapman, assistant dean of the Westminster College of Arts and Sciences, shared a call to action for Westminster community members.
“One thing we know for sure is that Dr. King always intentionally used his platform to speak about the rights of all men. Each talk ended with a call to action. My question to you is–what impact can you make with the education you are engaging with at Westminster University?”
The final event in Westminster's 2026 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, to be held on Thursday, February 5, is the B.W. Bastian Foundation Diversity Lecture featuring physician and sociologist Dr. Jonathan Metzl. Dr. Metzl speaks, teaches, and writes on a range of topics including mental illness and gun violence, race and whiteness in America, health and healthcare, and diversity and structural competency in higher education.
Before Dr. Metzl’s lecture, the winners of the 2026 Unsung Hero Awards will be recognized. Awardees are Westminster community members who have “demonstrated a commitment to promoting a diverse and inclusive community–on campus and in our surrounding communities.”
Register for the B.W. Bastian Foundation Diversity Lecture and Unsung Hero Awards Ceremony and learn more about the awardees below.
2026 Unsung Hero Awardees
Student: Rocio Campuzano de la Luz
Rocio Campuzano de la Luz (’26) is a first-generation student majoring in justice studies and minoring in sociology who studies how food insecurity and gentrification affect residents of the west side of Salt Lake City.
Staff: Jessica Wojciechowski
Jessica (Jess) Wojciechowski, EdM, is the assistant director of Student Engagement and Belonging, driving equity, amplifying historically marginalized voices, and fostering inclusivity wherever she goes.
Faculty: John Contreras
John Contreras, PhD, MSPH, is the chair and director of the Master of Public Health Program. His work emphasizes applied epidemiology, community-engaged research, and the translation of evidence into public health practice and policy.
Campus Unit: Jovana Sisovic, Westminster Tax Clinic
Jovana Sisovic is the director of the Westminster Tax Clinic with over a decade of experience as a tax professional, educator, and advocate. Under her leadership, the Westminster Tax Clinic has served more than 20,000 community members and has helped return over $35 million in refunds to eligible taxpayers.
Community Leader: Lara Jones, RadioACTive
Lara Jones is the host and executive producer of RadioACTive, a community affairs radio show that focuses on grassroots activists, community builders, punk rock farmers, and DIY makers and musicians.
Community Organization: Emily Potts, Sugar House Coffee
Emily Potts is the owner of Sugar House Coffee, a community space in the heart of the Sugar House neighborhood. Emily believes the Sugar House Coffee team plays a vital role in shaping the space, nourishing inclusion, and fostering the warmth and care that the community feels the moment they walk through the door.
Dr. Christine Chapman speaks at MLK Jr. Rally, 2026
