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Three honored with College´s Martin Luther King Service Awards

Nicole Porter ´08 (far left), Professor Michelle Dunlap (center) and Tracee Reiser, associate dean of community learning and director of the Office of Volunteers for Community Service, received Martin Luther King Service Awards Jan. 25.

February 04, 2008

Three members of the Connecticut College community were honored with the College´s first Martin Luther King Service Awards during the College´s celebration of King´s life Jan. 25.

This year´s recipients are Michelle Dunlap, professor and chair of the Department of Human Development; Tracee Reiser, associate dean of community learning and director of the Office of Volunteers for Community Service; and Nicole Porter ´08. All three were selected for upholding the legacy of King´s work with their demonstrated commitment to social justice and serving underrepresented groups on campus and in the New London community.

Dunlap was recognized for her academic research and personal experiences that benefit children and families in New London County. She participates on various boards and community committees, including the Strategic Planning Committee of the New London Public Schools. The Department of Human Development said in a statement: "Dr. Dunlap embodies the spirit that Dr. King intended when he expressed, ´Faith is taking the first step, even when you don´t see the whole staircase.´ There is no doubt that Michelle has more faith than most."

Reiser carries on King´s legacy through her commitment to Connecticut College and her dedication to the New London community. She is known as an advocate for social justice and has worked tirelessly to assist many students on campus. Reiser has worked with many members of the college to promote multiculturalism and diversity here.

Porter has engaged in a wide variety of community learning and campus leadership initiatives throughout her four years at Connecticut College, and has worked with children, youth and adults in New London. She has completed research with faculty studying motivation factors for urban youth and has been a senator in SGA and the chair of UMOJA, the College´s African and African American student organization.

The awards were presented at the College´s annual Martin Luther King Celebration ceremony, which included several readings, slide shows and musical and dance performances.

Four local elementary and middle school students were also recognized for their essays on the achievements of Dr. King and the impact those achievements have had on their own lives. The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Essay Contest winners were Irving Acevedo, a fifth-grader at Jennings Elementary School; Hugh Cipparone, a fifth-grader at Regional Multicultural Magnet School; and Karina Reitz and Alexander B. Cooper, seventh-graders at Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School.

For more information contact: Amy Sullivan (860) 439-2526; amy.sullivan@conncoll.edu