Moore retires as senior vice president

By Deborah Lilly

After nearly four decades at Anderson University, Ronald Moore BA ’66, senior vice president of the university, will retire at the end of May. He leaves feeling grateful for the time he spent at AU and confident about the university’s future.

Moore grew up in Eustis, Fla., in a family that valued the Church of God and education. He came to AU in the early 1960s. At the end of his sophomore year, he was offered a summer job in the university’s Business Office that would begin his path along a 38-year career at AU.

“I thought it was an important opportunity for me,” he said of that first job. “My major was accounting and my minor was mathematics, and I had decided I wanted to do accounting in a corporate setting.”

By the time he graduated, Moore had five job offers — one as chief accountant at AU and the others from nationally recognized corporations. He chose to stay at AU. He admits it wasn’t the best offer in terms of salary, but he said, “It was certainly the right decision.” Between the years of 1966 and 1977, Moore quickly rose from the position of chief accountant to treasurer and director of development.

“I’ve always had profound gratitude for Dr. Reardon [president of the university during those years]. I think he saw things in me that I didn’t see myself,” Moore said. “I was only able to do what I did at such a young age because I felt so supported.”

In 1983, Moore was named vice president for finance and treasurer while retaining his duties as director of development. In 1989, he assumed the title of senior vice president for finance and advancement. The university repositioned him once more in 1996 with the assignment of executive vice president and chief advancement officer.

Over the last four decades, Moore raised nearly $225 million for AU, but of all his accomplishments, he lists the university’s first comprehensive capital campaign among his most personally rewarding achievements. The Anderson Challenge kicked off in 1985 with a goal of $25 million. “Nothing like that had ever been done at the university. It was a bold step forward,” Moore explained. The idea of raising $25 million seemed a bit ambitious to some skeptics, but by 1990, donors had surpassed the goal by more than $4 million.

Since that first campaign, Moore headed a second campaign raising $83.5 million for the university, directed the planning and fundraising for the 131,000-square-foot Kardatzke Wellness Center and directed a record gifting year last year of $16.6 million. Moore is also credited with managing a balanced institutional budget for 24 consecutive years, an accomplishment that laid a base of financial stability that carries the university forward to this day.

“Ron’s gifted guidance in the development of the university can be seen in so many projects and programs now in place on the campus,” said Dr. James Edwards, president of the university. “He has our admiration and gratitude as one of the truly loved sons of this great university.”

Moore’s work at AU has provided him the opportunity to develop friendships not only within the university, but also within Madison County and across the nation that will continue into his retirement years. He also leaves knowing that through his job, he has been able to contribute to the lives of thousands of AU students over the years.

“Any of us, whether we’re here two years or 38, during the time we’re here we’re part of something that matters. We are a part of educating and changing lives. We’re part of instilling servanthood,” Moore explained. “I can walk into retirement with no regrets about giving my life here. I’ve been part of something that matters.”