Stories
Can you tell me a little about your connection to USD?
My only connection to the 17³Ô¹ÏÍø is through my parents, who established the Young and Gwen Moore Scholarship. My gifts to the scholarship fund are in memory of my parents, and their journey reflects their motivation for creating the scholarship. Here's their story:
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My parents, children of the Great Depression, graduated from Indiana high schools and became adults during World War II.
My father, born and raised in Indianapolis, graduated from Arsenal Technical High School in 1938. My mother, from a small farming community in northern Indiana, graduated in 1939, as a two-time member of the National Honor Society.
She attended Indiana Central College in Indianapolis for two years before transferring to the Indiana University School of Nursing, where she graduated in 1944. She began her career as an OBGYN nurse at Coleman Women’s Hospital in Indianapolis and practiced as a registered nurse until 1960.
My father’s path to higher education was more unconventional. After high school, he worked various manual labor jobs for two years, before being accepted as an engineering student with the Allison Division of General Motors in 1940. He worked at the Allison plant in Indianapolis for eight weeks, then attended the General Motors Institute in Flint, Michigan, for eight weeks.
Unfortunately, after eight weeks, he was $100 short of the $250 tuition fee. He spoke with his supervisor, who took him to the local bank and cosigned a $100 loan. This arrangement continued until he was drafted in April 1943.
After the war, he returned to Allison and his studies but was recalled to service in 1950 for the Korean conflict. He chose to remain in the U.S. Army and completed his degree through an Army program with the University of Omaha in March 1962, at age 42.
In 1968, he retired from the Army, finished coursework for his MBA at the 17³Ô¹ÏÍø, and began a 15-year career in facilities management there. He earned his MBA in 1969 after completing his thesis.
Gordon and his wife Marie Moore.
How did your parents' lives inspire their establishment of the Young and Gwen Moore Scholarship?
The inspiration came from my parents' pursuit of advanced degrees despite many hardships. Their perseverance and commitment to education motivated them to create the scholarship, and I give in their memory to continue that legacy.
What do you hope this planned gift will accomplish for future generations of USD students?
I hope the fund will grow to support more substantial and multi-year awards, helping students overcome financial barriers and achieve their educational goals.
What would you say to others who might be considering a planned gift to USD?
I recommend speaking with the USD Foundation staff to determine what type of scholarship or fund best meets your objectives.
Do you have any advice for current students or recent alumni?
Congratulations on graduating. A degree is your entry card into the workforce, but success requires showing up, being a team player, striving for excellence, maintaining integrity, and appreciating those who help and guide you along the way.