The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Awards recognize UO faculty, staff and students whose contributions demonstrate a commitment to making our UO community more welcoming and respectful for all, as modeled by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Classified staff, officers of administration and faculty members are eligible to be nominated. (Individuals who have previously received the award are not eligible to be nominated.)
UO Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Award Nominations
The nomination window for 2026 has closed.
Please enter the 2026 poetry contest (details below) and save the date for the awards luncheon on January 22, 2026 in the EMU Ballroom.
AWARD CATEGORIES
All UO classified staff, officers of administration, faculty members, graduate students, student organizations are eligible. Nominations are encouraged from and for both Eugene and Portland campuses. Individuals who have previously received the award are not eligible to be nominated.(Previous winners)
Up to two nominees in each category below will receive a monetary award in recognition of their leadership and commitment to our university community:
Exemplary Leadership (faculty, classified staff, and officers of administration)
Recognizes employees who have made extraordinary contributions to their unit, college, division and/or the university at large through their leadership and efforts toward embedding and/or promoting equity, accessibility, and inclusion in principles, policies and practices.
Institutional Transformation (faculty, classified staff, and officers of administration)
Recognizes employees who have worked diligently to transform university processes and policies in ways that either remove barriers for faculty, staff and student achievement or create new pathways to achievement and flourishing.
Inclusive Scholarship Award (faculty only)
Two faculty members (TTF, NTTF, Pro-Tem) will receive $2,000 in research funding to recognize exceptional scholarship and creative activity that explores how differences—across cultural, social, ideological, economic, geographic, biological, and institutional dimensions—shape lived experiences and societal structures. It recognizes research that contributes to access and opportunity by examining the forces that sustain or challenge cohesion, opportunity, and resilience in communities, organizations, institutions and societies. The award welcomes work from a wide range of perspectives.
Graduate Student & Student Organization Awards
Graduate Student Leadership Award: One graduate student will be awarded $2,000 in research funds to recognize extraordinary leadership in embodying and/or promoting equity, accessibility, and inclusion within their unit, college, division and/or the university at large.
Student Organizations: One undergraduate student organization will be awarded $2,000 in programming funds to recognize exemplary commitment to social justice through student leadership, scholarship, service, community engagement and/or advocacy.
For more information or questions: vpinclusion@uoregon.edu.
POETRY COMPETITION
Division of Equity and Inclusion invites students, faculty, and staff to submit original “Where I’m From” poems reflecting this year’s theme: “The Courage to Belong.”
This theme honors the bravery it takes to show up authentically, especially in spaces where belonging has been historically denied. It invites reflection on identity, inclusion, and the ongoing work of creating communities where everyone is seen and valued. Entrants will be recognized at the 2026 Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration on January 22, 2026.
Submission Details:
- Open to all members of the UO community
- Poems should follow the “Where I'm From” format (inspired by George Ella Lyon)
- Submissions can use the provided template or be submitted as a Word document
- Creativity is welcome. Poems may stick closely to the template or take a more personal, expressive approach.
- Maximum length: 500 words
- Deadline: December 1, 2025