'Growing Towards Justice'

'Growing Towards Justice'

Ohio Wesleyan hosts Delaware's 32nd Martin Luther King Celebration

Ohio Wesleyan hosts Delaware's 32nd Martin Luther King Celebration, "Growing Towards Justice: From Root to Fruit." OWU's Jason Timpson emcees the Jan. 20 event.

The Ohio Wesleyan University and Delaware communities honored the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Jan. 20 with a program themed "Growing Towards Justice: From Root to Fruit."

Speakers at the 32nd annual event included retired Ohio State University professor and author Valerie Lee and OWU President Matt vandenBerg.

Matt vandenBerg (Photo by Paul Vernon)

In his remarks, vandenBerg shared: "Injustice requires justice. Justice requires growth. And growth - growth requires action.

"At Ohio Wesleyan, we believe that we can't merely react to challenges; we need to create solutions to those challenges," he said.

"We grow toward justice by nurturing the roots of our values - values like boldness and kindness and innovation - so that we can bear the fruit of meaningful change."

Valerie Lee (Photo by Paul Vernon)

In her presentation, keynote speaker Lee discussed the theme of root to fruit and shared: "As a professor of literature, I want you to note that this year's theme is a literary metaphor.

"Justice is a seed that can be planted and nurtured in the soils of our hearts and minds and daily activities," she said.

"We must allow the seed to break up uncultivated ground."

Lee concluded her remarks by reading Langston Hughes' 1949 poem "Democracy," in which Hughes proclaims:

I tire so of hearing people say,
Let things take their course.
Tomorrow is another day.
I do not need my freedom when I'm dead.
I cannot live on tomorrow's bread. …

I live here, too.
I want freedom
Just as you.

Also during the 2025 MLK celebration, guests enjoyed a performance by the Columbus Adventist Academy Children's Choir directed by Tamaria Kulemeka, including their version of "Lift Every Voice and Sing." Francine Butler of the Community Arts Network presented an ancestral tribute, and Delaware resident Alfred Thomas presented a spoken word reflection.

The annual event, organized by Delaware County MLK Day Committee and Ohio Wesleyan, also raises funds to benefit the Delaware County Martin Luther King Scholarship Program, which has awarded more than $39,000 in scholarships to Delaware County students since 1990.

Founded in 1842, Ohio Wesleyan University is one of the nation's premier liberal arts universities. Located in Delaware, Ohio, the private university offers more than 70 undergraduate majors and competes in 24 NCAA Division III varsity sports. Through its signature experience, the OWU Connection, Ohio Wesleyan teaches students to understand issues from multiple academic perspectives, volunteer in service to others, build a diverse and global perspective, and translate classroom knowledge into real-world experience through internships, research, and other hands-on learning. Ohio Wesleyan is featured in the book "Colleges That Change Lives" and included on the U.S. News & World Report and Princeton Review "Best Colleges" lists. Connect with OWU expert interview sources at owu.edu/experts or learn more at owu.edu.

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