The Distinguished Service Award is bestowed upon an individual whose service has been exemplary. This honor extends beyond the circle of William Penn alumni to those who embody the William Penn commitment to community and humanitarian service. This year’s award is being presented to a couple whose lifetime service commitment has changed their community.
Serving over 45,000 youth and family members of Newark, NJ, over the past 39 years, Michael and Maria Westbrook, U.S. urban missionaries, cofounded Greater Life Inc. Community Outreach Center. Greater Life’s mission is to reach and serve indigent, at-risk, disadvantaged, or impoverished youth, parents, and seniors daily.
Serving as President/CEO and Vice President of Administration and Finance, Michael and Maria decided to do something about a troubling paradigm among Newark’s after-school and summer enrichment programs. Kids with gang affiliations or truancy records were usually not permitted to attend after-school programs. However, in Newark’s South Ward, where Greater Life began and still operates, there is a particular need for targeted services that address long-term systemic poverty, help overcome a past culture of violence and drug trade, and combat spiritual alienation.
The Westbrooks have spent close to four decades developing and perfecting programs that balance cultural sensitivity, inspiration, and moral and spiritual focus to inspire youth and family members in crisis to become more productive members of society. They have operated on the principle that, if given the opportunity, everyone has the capacity to focus their talents and energy toward positive growth. Their outreach expanded when they cofounded Greater Life Christian Fellowship Church, serving as pastor and assistant pastor.
Greater Life is more than homework assistance, mentoring, entrepreneurial projects, meal programs, leadership development, camping programs, and daily programming. It is also a community of support. The Westbrooks serve as president and operations manager of The Global Summit, an African American leadership development group, which also includes managing the Matthew Parker Study Center Leadership Institute.
After attending William Penn College (now University), Michael earned an M.A. in Ministry Leadership from Pillar College in Newark, NJ. He is currently a Ph.D. student in Christian Leadership with a concentration in Emerging Generations at Liberty University Rawlings School of Divinity. He also serves as an adjunct professor at Pillar College. Maria (Ellis) Westbrook graduated from William Penn and is also a graduate of Metropolitan Bible College. She holds certifications in fund development and fiscal accountability. The Westbrooks are contributing authors of numerous published writings and books on youth, leadership, families, community, and church development. They met at William Penn during their time as students and married in 1984.
For their service commitment to Newark, NJ, and the Greater Life family, William Penn University is honored to present the 2025 Distinguished Service Award to Revs. Michael and Maria Westbrook.