The convocation also served as a platform to present the Martin Luther King Jr. Awards to two faculty members for their significant contributions to diversity to the campus community and beyond.

VU President Mark Heckler recognized Heath Carter and Faisal Kutty.

Kutty is an associate professor of law at the Valparaiso University Law School and was honored for enhancing the dialogue of race and inclusion at the law school. He was named the one of the 500 Most Influential  Muslims in the World, by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre in Jordan.