The Honorable Denise Mathews Receives 2005 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Image Award

February 23, 2005

The Honorable Denise R. Mathews, magistrate for the Franklin County, Ohio, Municipal Court, received the 2005 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Image Award presented by the Capital University Law School Black Law Student Association (BLSA) and the Office of Student and Minority Affairs on February 17, 2005.

The award recognizes individuals who possess such qualities as leadership, courage and faith — qualities that made Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., an exceptional leader. The award also recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to improving the lives of African Americans and who hold a thorough knowledge of what it means to be an African American.

Terrence Scott, a Capital law student and chair of the Martin Luther King, Jr., Image Award Committee, presented the award. Scott has worked for The Honorable Mathews and praised her ability to reach out to the people who come before her.

The ceremony was well attended, drawing Law School students, alumni, faculty and staff, as well as members of the Columbus legal community. It included remarks about the life and work of Martin Luther King Jr. by law student Phillip Moore.

The Honorable Mathews has worked as a public defender and now serves as a magistrate for the Franklin County, Ohio, Municipal Court. She reflected that her life has “touched many other lives” and has the potential to address the inequities of the justice system. The Honorable Mathews received her B.A. from Adelphi University in 1988 and her J.D. from the University of Dayton in 1991.

The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Image Award has been presented to community leaders for many years. Previous recipients of the award include Steven C. Bahls, president of Augustana College, Capital University Law School Associate Dean Athornia Steele, L’77, attorney John W. Waddy, L’78, Capital University Law School Professors Floyd D. Weatherspoon, Stanton G. Darling and Jeffrey T. Ferriell.