Whitesboro, NY — Mohawk Valley Frontiers proudly announces Dr. Winston Oluwole
“Wole” Soboyejo, President of SUNY Polytechnic Institute, as the keynote speaker for
the 42nd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Luncheon, to be held Monday, January
19, 2026, at Harts Hill Inn, 135 Clinton Street, Whitesboro, NY.
The luncheon program will begin at 12:00 noon, with a buffet lunch and carving
station opening at 11:45 a.m.
Dr. Soboyejo is a nationally respected higher-education leader and internationally
recognized materials scientist. He assumed the presidency of SUNY Polytechnic
Institute in 2023 after serving as Provost and Interim President at Worcester Polytechnic
Institute. A member of the National Academy of Engineering, he has also held faculty
appointments at Princeton University, where his work in engineering innovation, global
development, and research partnerships continues to shape the future of higher
education.
“This annual luncheon is one of the most meaningful ways we honor the life and legacy
of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” said U’nice Elliott Jefferson, President of Mohawk Valley
Frontiers. “Dr. Soboyejo’s leadership and commitment to education and opportunity
make him an inspiring voice for our community.”
Ticket Information
Advance tickets: $50
At the door: $75
Checks payable to: Mohawk Valley Frontiers Club
Mail to: PO Box 712, Utica, NY 13503
Email completed forms to: UELLIOT3@AOL.com
For more information: Contact U’nice Elliott Jefferson at (315) 534-4029
About Mohawk Valley Frontiers:
Founded in 1971, Mohawk Valley Frontiers is a long-standing civic and service
organization dedicated to strengthening the Mohawk Valley through leadership,
education, and community engagement. Proceeds from the annual Dr. Martin Luther
King Jr. Luncheon underwrite the organization’s community service initiatives, including
the adoption of Watson Williams Elementary School, the provision of Senior
Dinners serving more than 300 seniors in Utica and Rome, and the awarding of
high school scholarships to graduating seniors.
Additional programs supported by Mohawk Valley Frontiers include SAT preparation,
tutoring, and academic enrichment services designed to help students succeed in
school and beyond—advancing Dr. King’s enduring vision of opportunity, service, and
equity for all.
