West Chester University’s Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, hosted virtually before hundreds of live viewers on Friday, was the occasion to honor heroes.

During the ceremony, WCU President Chris Fiorentino presented football coach Bill Zwaan with one of the university’s highest honors: the prestigious Civility Award. Presented annually, the Civility Award is given to an individual, office, or department nominated for exemplary behavior reflective of civility, community impact, commitment to student success, and collegiality.

Since 2016, Zwaan, whose 198 wins are the most among all active Division II coaches, and his siblings have foregone gift-giving during the holidays to be Santa to all homeless and foster youth students at WCU. Zwaan now leads faculty, staff, students, and community partners in a campus-wide labor of love that has raised more than $20,000 in gifts for 40-plus WCU students, as well as meals and clothing.

“This year’s recipient has consistently fostered civility and advanced West Chester University’s values during his 18 years of employment with the university,” said Fiorentino, who makes it a practice not to reveal the winner’s name to attendees until the end of his announcement. “The author of one nomination letter notes that our award winner ‘reaches out to help his students find jobs, counseling, shelter, food, and assistance with medical insurance. He knows that … (these students) are working to pursue an education and opportunities for themselves.’”

The MLK Celebration was also the perfect occasion to celebrate Professor of Psychology Ellie Brown for her commitment to developing, implementing, and sustaining courses that offer quality service-learning to WCU students. Brown was presented the Service-Learning Teaching Excellence Award and a faculty development stipend of $500 by Senior Director for the University’s Center for Civic Engagement & Social Impact Seth Jacobson.

Brown is known widely for her groundbreaking research on how intensive arts programs can positively affect the lives of children experiencing poverty and reduce high levels of stress. Her research, which is funded through NEA Research: Art Works, has determined that poverty can harm children’s educational, social-emotional, and physical health, in part by damaging the bodily systems that respond to the chronically high levels of stress that children in poverty are more likely to experience.

“The university is fortunate to have had Dr. Brown join its faculty in 2005, and since her participation in a Service Learning and Diversity workshop in 2006, Dr. Brown has infused her courses with hands-on service-learning opportunities,” said Jacobson.

In addition to Zwaan and Brown, two WCU alumni were also recognized during the ceremony for the significant differences they continue to make in the lives of many. Drum Major for Justice honors were awarded to Courtland Bragg and Deidre Gray. Taken from King’s powerful sermon in Memphis the day before his assassination on April 4, 1968, the distinctive honor reflects King’s wish to be remembered as “a drum major for peace … a drum major for righteousness.”

Click here to learn more about WCU’s 28th MLK Celebration and its 2021 Drum Major for Justice honorees.