Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute Speakers Urge Hopefulness
01/23/2025
The words of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. provided a bookend to the annual memorial tribute at Saint Louis University.
Rochelle Smith, SLU’s vice president for the Division for Diversity and Innovative Community Engagement, and Michael McMillan, president and CEO of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, both emphasized a single quote from King to open and close the ceremony.
“The time is always right to do what is right,” Smith and McMillan said.
President Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D., participates in a panel discussion during the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Tribute on Jan. 23, 2025. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
Fran Pestello, Ph.D., expresses her appreciation for her recognition during the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Tribute on Jan. 23, 2025. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
An audience member applauds during the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Tribute on Jan. 23, 2025. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
Regina Belle, recipient of a Civic Leadership Award, center left, is congratulated by Rochelle D. Smith, vice president of the Division of Diversity and Innovative Community Engagement, and President Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D., during the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Tribute on Jan. 23, 2025. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
Rochelle D. Smith, vice president of the Division of Diversity and Innovative Community Engagement, right, applauds during the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Tribute on Jan. 23, 2025. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
Judge Glenda A Hatchett, J.D., participates in a panel discussion during the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Tribute on Jan. 23, 2025. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
Regina Belle participates in a panel discussion during the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Tribute on Jan. 23, 2025. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
President Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D., participates in a panel discussion during the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Tribute on Jan. 23, 2025. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
Bishop Michael F. Jones participates in a panel discussion during the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Tribute on Jan. 23, 2025. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
Regina Belle embraces Kaia S. Prichett following the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Tribute on Jan. 23, 2025. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
Michael P. McMillan, President and CEO of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, addresses the crowd during the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Tribute on Jan. 23, 2025. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
SLU student Kaia S. Prichett, recipient of the Dr. Jonathan C. Smith Emergent Student Leader Award, left, poses with Rochelle D. Smith, vice president of the Division of Diversity and Innovative Community Engagement and President Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D., during the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Tribute on Jan. 23, 2025. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
LaTonia Collins-Smith, Ed.D, recipient of the Dr. Fred Pestello Leadership for Justice & Service Award, left, poses with Rochelle D. Smith, vice president of the Division of Diversity and Innovative Community Engagement and President Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D., during the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Tribute on January 23, 2025. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
Award recipients following the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Tribute on Jan. 23, 2025. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
Taking action and working to improve life was a common theme at the ceremony on Thursday morning. SLU and St. Louis community members gathered in the St. Louis Room of the Busch Student Center for the annual event, a partnership between SLU and the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, to remember and honor King.
“We stand here for the bold actions of those who came before us,” Smith said. “It is now our turn to make history. No one is exempt. It is our turn to build a future that Dr. King and so many others fought for.”
McMillan said the goal for the event was simple — to motivate people.
“We must leave here inspired and renewed in the fight for justice,” he said.
SLU President Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D., also quoted King. During a panel discussion featuring Bishop Michael F. Jones Sr., Regina Belle, and Glenda A. Hatchett, J.D., Pestello shared a quote from King's speech on SLU’s campus in 1964.
“‘We have come a long way, but there is still a long long way to go,’” Pestello said, quoting King.
Pestello noted that the path forward is not linear, and there have been setbacks in the fight for justice. It is necessary, he said, to keep looking forward. He acknowledged that the struggle to stay motivated and not become discouraged can be difficult.
“It's been hard for those who have struggled for so long to see the setbacks that we've seen,” he said. “But, let’s acknowledge that and then accept what we must do in the tradition of MLK.”
Pestello said it was essential to follow the mission of SLU and inspire hope. He said it was important for everyone to take inspiration from SLU’s mascot, the Billiken, who is a symbol “of things as they ought to be.”
“We should all be Billikens working to make the world the way it ought to be,” he said.
Other speakers agreed that the time was right to take action and take a stand.
“Hope still has to be a factor,” Belle said.
Honorees
Several individuals were honored during an awards ceremony.
Two new awards, named after President Pestello and First Lady Dr. Fran Pestello, were given out at the event. The Fred Pestello Award honors leadership for justice and service. The Fran Pestello Award honors those working to encourage belonging for all.
The Pestellos also were among the honorees. SLU’s outgoing leader and first lady were honored for their dedication to SLU and support of the annual event.
During the presentation, Smith was emotional while sharing her thoughts about the Pestellos. She praised Fred Pestello for his job as a leader and the friendship he shared with her and her late husband, Jonathan Smith, Ph.D., SLU’s inaugural vice president of Diversity and Community Engagement.
“These tears are for happiness,” Smith said. “He was one the kindest friends to my
late husband Jonathan while being his boss. I have the honor of stepping into that
role after my husband passed away and I am so honored that we got to work under him.”
The honorees were:
Dedication to SLU Recognition
- Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D. (Saint Louis University president)
- Fran Pestello, Ph.D. (Saint Louis University adjunct professor)
Dr. Jonathan C. Smith Emergent Student Leader Award
- Kaia S. Prichett (Saint Louis University student)
Dr. Donald Brennan Humanitarian Award
- Jeffery L. Jackson, Ph.D. (Saint Louis University associate provost for career development)
- Michael T. Railey, M.D. (Doctor and long-time SLU School of Medicine faculty member, and educator)
Dr. Fred Pestello Leadership for Justice and Service Award
- Latonia Collins-Smith, Ed.D. (GRAD SW '98, GRAD PH ’99) (Harris-Stowe State University president)
Dr. Fran Pestello Belonging Award
- Reverend Tracy R. Watkins (Saint Louis University executive assistant in the office of the Provost and Minister at Central Baptist Church)
Civic Leadership Award
- Bishop Michael F. Jones Sr. (Senior Pastor of Friendly Temple M.B. Church in St. Louis)
- Regina Belle (Musician)
- Glenda A. Hatchett, J.D. (Judge)
Latest Newslink
- Two SLU Faculty Members Receive Emerson's Excellence in Teaching AwardTwo members of Saint Louis University's faculty have been recognized with Emerson's 2025 Excellence in Teaching Award. Sean Goretzke, M.D. (Neurology) and Melissa Ochoa, Ph.D. (Women's and Gender Studies) were both cited for their teaching prowess. The Emerson Excellence in Teaching Awards Program recognizes educators in the St. Louis metropolitan area annually for their leadership in and passion for teaching, their contributions to student learning, and their knowledge and creativity.
- Saint Louis University Launches Tuition Promise Covering Full Undergraduate Tuition for Eligible StudentsStarting in fall 2026, eligible first-time freshmen will be able to attend the University without paying undergraduate tuition through a new initiative aimed at expanding college access and affordability. The SLU Tuition Promise is for students from families with a combined Adjusted Gross Income of $60,000 or less and limited assets.
- SLU Chess Qualifies for Collegiate Chess ChampionshipSaint Louis University chess teams are heading to the Collegiate Chess Championship. The Billikens recently competed in the 2026 Pan-American Intercollegiate Chess Championship in Oak Brook, IL. SLU’s A Team finished fourth and secured a spot Collegiate Chess Championship finals, known as the President's Cup or colloquially as the “Final Four.” Additionally, the SLU B-Team was the top women’s squad at the tournament and will advance to the inaugural Women's President’s Cup.
- Building Connection and Collaboration: SLU President, Local Leaders Headline Leadership Speaker SeriesSaint Louis University’s Emerson Leadership Institute and Edward Jones Speaker Series will feature SLU President Edward Feser, Ph.D., as part of a joint speaker series on Wednesday, Jan. 21. Feser will speak on the theme, “Great Cities, Great Universities: Leading With Hope to Strengthen Our Shared Community,” sharing his vision for how SLU can lead boldly, collaborate meaningfully, and serve as an anchor of opportunity in St. Louis.
- SLU Hosting Journalists for 'Candid Conversations in Turbulent Times'The Saint Louis University American Studies Department will host award-winning ABC News anchor Linsey Davis and SLU alum John Krull (American Studies, '84) for the program "Candid Conversations in Turbulent Times." The event will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, in the Anheuser Busch Auditorium in Cook Hall.
- Kathryn Mitchell Pierce, Ph.D.: 1955-2025Kathryn Mitchell Pierce, Ph.D., associate professor of educational studies, died Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. She was 70 years old. Pierce joined Saint Louis University in 2015 as an assistant professor in the School of Education. Initially a literacy specialist in the undergraduate program, she eventually taught and mentored across all levels at the School of Education. She became an associate professor in 2022.
