Mariana Serrano, a senior majoring in health sciences with a minor in anthropology; William Lugo, professor of sociology; and Bill Stover, director of family and community partnerships in Windham Public Schools, have been named recipients of Eastern Connecticut State University’s 2018 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Distinguished Service Awards. The awards were presented on Feb. 28 in the Paul E. Johnson Community Conference Room of Eastern’s J. Eugene Smith Library.

Serrano is a student ambassador in Eastern’s Intercultural Center. One of her favorite quotes by Dr. King is “Life’s persistent and the urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”

She mentors minority students in high school and college, implementing leadership, cultural awareness and inclusive programming. After completing her undergraduate degree, Serrano plans to attend medical school and wants her legacy to be one of educating and inspiring people within marginalized communities on the importance of social justice.

Lugo, who works with local community groups to advance public policy, has served as director of the Windham Community Task Force to Prevent Underage Drinking, and on the executive board of the Northeast Communities against Substance Abuse from 2006-10. He serves as an advocate for Eastern’s Opportunity Scholars and other undocumented students, and is one of the advisors for the new Freedom at Eastern Club, which supports undocumented and DACA students. Lugo is also an elected member of the Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education.

As a bilingual educator, Stover has made a significant impact on youth and families in the Windham community. He has drawn together community nonprofits, universities, municipal leaders, parents, teachers and school administrators to address the significant academic achievement gap in Windham Public Schools. Stover has been a catalyst for parent and community member training for many years, to develop confidence and skill among Windham’s low-income and minority populations

Bishop John Selders Jr., pastor of Amistad United Church of Christ in Hartford and associate college chaplain at Trinity College, delivered the keynote address. “While Dr. King is certainly among the greatest of orators this nation has gifted to the world,” said Selders, “the more evolved, more mature Dr. King gets far too little attention. Dr. King also said America was a very sick society, where people of color with skills and character could not get jobs.

“The challenge I leave with you today is this; What will each of you do for the cause of justice today? What will your life be about? Will it all be about ‘The Benjamins’ (money), or will your life be about something rooted deeper than money? Will you ask, like Dr. King, what can I do to better my community and the world?”