UHart Celebrates Dr. King with Call for “Strength to Love, Courage to Act”

"I am more convinced than ever that you need to understand the importance of history and your own place within that history," Ward said. "As problem solvers and difference makers, you have the same opportunity in 2026 as the college students in the 1960s and 70s to lend your gifts and your talents and your passion, your light, to the human condition, to break down cultural barriers."

The event also honored students, faculty, staff, and alumni who exemplify what King called the beloved community. Six Beloved Community Awards were presented this year.

"The beauty of our shared existence on this campus is not that we are all ultimately the same," Ward said, "but rather that we can learn to appreciate how each of us is wonderfully different."

"I love celebrating Martin's legacy," he continued, "because it provides the space to reflect and focus on that which inspires, motivates, and convinces us to shake off our fears and misgivings, learn something new and take action. Not for any selfish reason, not to serve some political or personal ambition, but rather, as Dr. King described, to be there in love and in justice and in truth, and in commitment to others, so that we can make of this old institution a new one."