Media Advisory: MLK Dream Award winners announced
Nancy Aguillon, a Wake Forest senior, and Harold Holmes, associate vice president and dean of student services at Wake Forest, were recognized as this year’s Martin Luther King Building the Dream Award winners. The recipients received the award at an annual banquet celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. held at Wake Forest on January 22.
The MLK Dream Award is presented to one professor or administrator and one student from both Wake Forest and Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) who exemplify King’s qualities and promote diversity within the community.
The awards were presented by Wake Forest senior Alycia Beverly and Candice Helton of WSSU.
Aguillon, a sociology major from Hendersonville, N.C., is the president of Wake Forest’s Organization of Latin American Students (OLAS). Last year, she organized the first Latino Awareness Week at the University, which sponsored film screenings and lectures about Latin-American culture. Aguillon is dedicated to raising awareness about the Latin-American experience at Wake Forest by encouraging dialogue among students.
“Nancy is a natural leader not only because of her vision and her ability to actualize her ideas, but also for her ability to inspire others to join her cause and feel empowered when they work with her,” says Assistant Professor of Communication Alessandra Beasley Von Burg.
Holmes, who has served Wake Forest for 25 years, has been committed to fostering community on the Reynolda campus and beyond.
“Harold is respected and admired for his efforts to cultivate an inclusive campus environment and broaden the perspective of students,” says Ken Zick, Wake Forest’s vice president and dean of student affairs.
In the community, Holmes has served on the board of Big Brothers/ Big Sisters. He is also active in Leadership Winston-Salem, Leadership Triad and Leadership North Carolina programs, which guide leaders in serving and improving their communities.
Holmes is a second time MLK Dream Award winner. He was recognized in 2009 after launching Wake Forest’s Mission of Good Hope service trip to Cape Town, South Africa.
MLK Dream Award recipients are nominated by faculty, staff and students at their respective universities and are then selected by a committee of faculty, staff and student representatives from each school.
In addition to co-sponsoring the awards presentation, Wake Forest and WSSU also co-sponsor and alternate hosting a keynote event featuring a well-known guest speaker. This year’s keynote event was held at WSSU and featured Harry Belafonte, a singer, songwriter, actor and social activist.
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About Wake Forest University: Wake Forest University combines the best traditions of a small liberal arts college with the resources of a large research university. Founded in 1834, the school is located in Winston-Salem, N.C. The University’s graduate school of arts and sciences, divinity school, and nationally ranked schools of law, medicine and business enrich our intellectual environment. Learn more about Wake Forest University at www.wfu.edu.
