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On Jan. 19, University Outreach and the National Forum for Black Public Administrators (NFBPA), East Central Alabama Chapter, hosted the MLK Scholarship Breakfast to honor local leaders and students dedicated to honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy of service.
The celebration featured four accomplished panelists who shared their views on “empowering the next generation” to advocate through service. The panel included Kamia F. Slaughter, Ph.D., Bill Sauser, Ph.D., Carl G. Cunnigham Jr., Ph.D., and Jason C. Louder.
Slaughter, assistant professor and educational researcher and analyst at Alabama State University, shared her insights in education and volunteerism. Cunningham, Dean of Students at Bishop State Community College, also offered a unique perspective as a youth leadership consultant and seasoned mentor for young men.
Sauser, professor emeritus of management at Auburn University, shared colorful stories about growing up in Atlanta during school desegregation. Another Atlanta native and actor, Louder expressed his observations about student needs as a resident teaching artist.
The Curtis House and Audrey Peters Marshall were also honored for their exceptional service work.
The Curtis House received the “Community Service Award” for its unwavering commitment to service, justice, and civic responsibility. Their efforts to empower people in need to transition from “poverty to productivity” reflect King’s enduring legacy.
Marshall received the “Educator of the Year” award for demonstrating an unwavering commitment to expanding opportunities for students and strengthening the communities she serves. Her work as the Work-Based Learning Coordinator for Auburn City Schools has propelled student career readiness.
The students honored with the MLK Scholarship Award this year were Antoine Harvis, Jr., Denise Oliver, Faith Sanford and Jalen Boynton. The students hailed from local schools: Opelika High School, Loachapoka High School, Auburn High School and Auburn University.
The students selected for this distinguished award demonstrated a standout commitment to applying their education to better their respective communities.
In the spirit of MLK, the ceremony also featured moving musical performances from the True Deliverance Holiness Church choir.
The 2026 MLK Scholarship Breakfast marked another successful year of honoring King’s monumental legacy by cultivating a tradition in community service in the next generation of leaders.
Auburn Outreach fulfills the institution's land-grant mission by extending faculty expertise and university resources to improve the quality of life across Alabama, the nation, and internationally. It facilitates community partnerships through service learning, continuing education, economic development, and youth programs, engaging students and faculty in meaningful, real-world applications.
For more information about University Outreach visit the Auburn University Outreach website.
