The philosophy of Otterbein College encourages the development of individuals who are increasingly aware of self and responsible to and for the larger society. It encourages faculty, staff, and students to become well informed disciplined persons who demonstrate humane values.

In light of this mission, much of what the college seeks to do reflects the integrity and philosophy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The Award for Peace and Justice established in his honor will be presented annually at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Convocation on the Otterbein campus to a faculty person, staff member or student who demonstrates the ideals he represented.

Any faculty member, staff person or student at Otterbein College is eligible to receive the award and to nominate recipients. A committee will review nominations prior to the convocation each year. The recipient should be a person who:

1. is involved in activities on the campus or in the community which serves to balance inequities;
   
2. encourages like philosophies among others;
   
3. promotes equity and equality in the classroom and/or community;
   
4. teaches or demonstrates the principles of nonviolence in solving problems.

Past MLK Recipients include:

1996 - James R. Larson, PhD, Jeanne M. Talley

1997 - Robert M. Gatti, Nicole Buran

1998 - Dr. Elizabeth A. Smith, Melissa Johnson

1999 - Andrea Brown, Darryl A. Peal

2000 - Joyce Jadwin, Eileen Francisco

2001 - Willie C. Franklin, Kochiya T. McDade

2002 - LaJoyce M. Cain, Andre Lampkins

2003 - John Kengla, Jason T. Jenkins

2004 - Demetrius Richardson, Dan James

2005 - Lucia Jeantine, Lauren Suveges

2006 - Denise Hatt-Fisher and Mark Haynes