Ann Wengler was spending her New Year’s Day enjoying the Florida sunshine when texts of congratulations started to arrive.

For what exactly, she wasn’t immediately sure.

Eventually, Wengler learned what the well wishes were all about: She had been named the 2023 Oxford Citizen of the Years.

Wengler was surprised, and humbled, by the distinction.

“I was shocked,” said Wengler, who was an instructor for Disability Studies during Miami’s fall 2023 semester and who also spent several years working at the Rinella Learning Center and Miller Center for Student Disability Services. “I really had no idea.”

For the better part of the past two decades, Wengler has been a staple of Oxford’s service community. As the chair of the Education and Family/Community Involvement Committee of Oxford’s NAACP, she helps plan and host the annual celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Wengler also coordinates youth activities at the UniDiversity Festival and recruits nominations for the Diversity Educator of the Year award for the Talawanda School District and McGuffey Montessori School.

Presented by the Oxford Kiwanis Club, the Citizen of the Years award highlights those whose commitment to the community covers a long length of time. A trio of Miami emeriti professors, Mark Boardman, Tom Farmer, and Steve Nimis were recognized as well. They earned Citizens of the Year honors for their efforts in building boardwalks in the Helen S. Ruder Preserve that complied with the Americans with Disabilities Act.  

Ann Fuehrer, a past Citizen of the Year and emerita professor of Global and Intercultural Studies, nominated Wengler, citing her leadership role in the NAACP. Fuehrer’s nomination read, in an excerpt published in the Journal-News: “Ann’s commitment to racial justice and diversity is clear in her planning of each of these three events each year.”

Wengler also serves as co-planner of Oxford’s Empty Bowls luncheon, held in the fall to reduce hunger and food insecurity.

During the week of Jan. 28-Feb. 3, Wengler and the Oxford NAACP will take part in Miami’s week of service and reflection in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. by displaying an art exhibition from area K-12 students on Jan. 31 at Armstrong Student Center.

Wengler said the art show typically gets 100-200 entries, with around 425 pieces featured last year.

“It’s been a really positive event,” Wengler said. “We hope that parents and teachers connect with students about the history of the fight for civil rights. That’s our goal, to educate.”

Empty Bowls, held the second Saturday of November each year, is scheduled for Nov. 9, 2024, at the Oxford Community Arts Center.

The 2023 edition raised more than $16,000 through the luncheon, donations, and silent auction.

“We’re in the process of always improving,” Wengler said. “We can do so much if we have more of us working together on these issues.”