The 38th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Planning Committee has announced the 2023 Unsung Hero Award winners. Joining InclusiveU student Thomas J. Wilson are Syracuse University staff member Nichole Henry, student Candice Ogbu, community activist Oceanna Fair, and high school students Trinity Brumfield and Camille Ogden.
The Unsung Hero Award is given to community members, students, faculty, and staff who have made a positive impact on the lives of others but who are not widely recognized for their contributions. The awards were created to honor Dr. King’s vision of creating positive change in a troubled world.
The award winners will be recognized at the 38th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration on January 22, starting with dinner at 5 p.m. before the ceremony at 7 p.m. The keynote speaker is the Rev. Phil Turner. Tickets for the celebration are available at mlk.syr.edu. Additionally, the 2021 and 2022 Unsung Heroes will be recognized this year since they were unable to be applauded in person due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
About Thomas J. Wilson
Embodying Dr. King’s legacy through his love and support for the Syracuse University community, Thomas Wilson is a student in InclusiveU, a program of the Taishoff Center for Inclusive Higher Education, part of the School of Education’s Center on Disability and Inclusion.
Wilson is a frequent visitor and friend of many areas across the University community. A senior double majoring in broadcast and digital journalism and political science, Wilson is a news anchor at Citrus TV where “he loves to deliver the news.” Through an internship with Orange Television Network, he is also executive producer and show creator of Thomas on the Town, a show where he goes “into the field” interviewing Syracuse University community members on a wide variety of topics.
Wilson’s ability to connect with people and share stories is a remarkable resource for the Syracuse University community. Thomas immerses himself into campus life through internships and his work at Schine Student Center. He often shows his support of and interest in the community by showing up. He cares enough to take the time to learn.
Wilson is highly involved with the Syracuse University Catholic Center. At Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday Masses in the Catholic community, both at Hendricks Chapel and at the Catholic Center’s St. Thomas More Chapel, he puts the books away and makes sure all is set for the next scheduled mass. After Thursday Mass at the Catholic Center, at their Community Night Dinner, Wilson’s engaging personality and kind, attentive presence is frequently sought out at whatever table he chooses to sit.
He is a person who individuals naturally gravitate toward because of his generous demeanor, his skill to be an active listener and the confidence he exudes. Wilson’s ability to connect with others through these traits, as well as the professional and educational skills he has developed during his time on campus, will make him a natural leader for our future.