Audrey Pantaz
Copy Editor
On the morning of Monday, Jan. 15, Wooster held their annual celebration of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., which included a keynote address in Kittredge Dining Hall to kick off the week’s events, which surrounded the same theme as the keynote address: “Reframing Justice.” Wooster welcomed Dr. Sandy Womack, the founder of The Ohio Education and Prevention Association, which is an Ohio-based non-profit that focuses on the advancement of education in urban areas. Womack is also a public educator who now serves as the superintendent in Region III in Columbus, Ohio. Womack was joined by both staff and student speakers, as well as two student performances.
The first speaker of the morning was President Anne E. McCall. She welcomed the gathered community to the celebration of Dr. King and set the stage for the rest of the event. Following McCall was director of religious and spiritual life, Erin Guzmán, who led the group in an opening prayer.
The first student featured in the program was Camron Love ’25, who roused the audience with a stunning rendition of “Grandma’s Hands” by Bill Withers. Next, three Wooster students offered readings and personal reflections. First, Princess Culbreath ’25 shared selected quotations from King and interpreted them along with selected Bible verses. Culbreath called for “peace, love and harmony,” in honor of Dr. King. Following Culbreath were students Grace Neuman ’25 and Drew Roberston ’25, who both shared reflections on the importance of the day.
The room was then joined in a prayer for reframing justice by Rev. Dr. Enikó Ferenczy, the pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church. In a poignant moment, Ferenczy and the audience spoke in unison: “Grant us the strength and courage to stand up and speak against injustice, discrimination and oppression.” The prayer was followed up with a final student reading by Ben Low ’26, who read an excerpt from the Book of James.
Following the final student speaker, Dr. Womack began his keynote speech, which he described as more of a conversation than a speech and maintained the audience’s rapt attention throughout. Womack explained that, “the most important story in the world is the one you tell yourself.” Womack emphasized this concept as central to Dr. King’s approach, that change begins in one’s mind.
Womack’s address on Reframing Justice was capped off with an echoing line: “College of Wooster, I challenge you with this: Dr. King once made a statement. He said, ‘A man begins to die a little bit more every day when they start speaking about those things that matter.’ Reframing justice comes at a cost – what is the cost you are willing to pay?”
Ending the keynote speech was a moving performance of “Something Inside So Strong” by Byera Kashangaki ’24 accompanied by Claire Tobin ’24 on piano. Erin Guzmán finished the speaking with a benediction and sending prayer.
