Guy Reece Receives 2006 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Image Award

February 28, 2006

Each year the Black Law Student Association at Capital University Law School awards the Martin Luther King Jr. Image Award to recognize individuals who honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy through service to our community. This year, the recipient was The Honorable Guy L. Reece, II, who has served as a visiting Common Pleas and Municipal Court Judge after serving as Judge of the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas and the Franklin County Municipal Court.

Karee Laing, 3L, President of BLSA and a former extern to Judge Reece, said "Judge Reece has been a mentor to many African American minority students in the law. It is not often that you meet someone who will have a lasting impression on you, but Judge Reece has done just that. It is my pleasure to present the Martin Luther King Jr. Image Award to Judge Reece for his commitment to service and to minority students."

Judge Reece described himself as "a poor country boy from Mississippi." Raised in St. Louise, MO, he was one of eight children and the first to attend college. Judge Reece received his B.G.S. degree in Business from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and his J.D. degree from the Ohio State University Law School. Additionally, Judge Reece has earned several military honors including the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters and an Army Commendation Medal with five Oak Leaf Clusters. He was a Captain in the United States Army and a Colonel in the United States Army Reserve.

"As minorities in the legal profession, we have a responsibility and obligation to our communities to pursue excellence and to make a difference where ever we are," said Judge Reece. He added that he was honored to receive this award and will cherish it. "I accept it as a challenge to make sure I'm accomplishing what needs to be accomplished."

Presently, Judge Reece is the Director of the Board of Elections for Franklin County. Previously, he has been a Legal Advisor and Consultant for the city of Jakarta, Indonesia, and has worked for the city of Columbus as the Chief Labor Attorney and Assistant City Attorney. Reece's community activities include the N.A.A.C.P., the Vietnam Veterans of America, the Board of Trustees for Maryhaven, the Metropolitan Board for the YMCA of Central Ohio, and the Board of Trustees for Direction for Youth. He is also a Deacon in the Second Baptist Church.

Past recipients of the Martin Luther King Jr. Image Award include, Attorney John Waddy, Attorney Fred Ransier, Associate Dean Shirley Mays, Professors Floyd Weatherspoon, Athornia Steele and Doug Wells. Last years’ recipient was Magistrate Denise Mathews.

BLSA thanks the Columbus Renaissance Hotel for their generosity in donating the meeting room and food.