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. 

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)