from 1953-1978The Austin College community and higher education have lost a pioneering leader, spirited advocate, and good friend to many in the death of John D. Moseley, president emeritus of Austin College.
President of Austin College from 1953-1978, Dr. Moseley was responsible for tremendous growth at the College in the 1950s and for the school’s innovative curriculum initiated in the 1960s and 1970s. Also a lifelong leader in the Presbyterian Church, Moseley died Wednesday, March 11, at the age of 93.
Press Release
Family visitation will be at the Moseley home in Sherman Friday, March 13, from 6 to 8 p.m. A memorial service is scheduled for Tuesday, March 24, in Wynne Chapel at 4:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be made the John D. Moseley Alumni Scholarship Fund at Austin College or to the memorial fund at Covenant Presbyterian Church of Sherman.
IN MEMORY OF AND IN PROFOUND RESPECT FOR DR. MOSELEY: WHAT A GREAT LIFE DR. MOSELEY LEAD AND WHAT A CONTRIBUTION HIS LIFE WAS TO MANKIND AND SPECIFICALLY TO ME. OFF AND ON OVER THE YEARS DR. MOSELEY AND I HAD SOME WAY MORE THAN WORTHWHILE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT POLITICS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS.
ReplyDeleteHOW COULD ANYONE BE SO BRILLIANT AND SO GOOD & DECENT AT THE SAME TIME?
THIS WORLD AND AUSTIN COLLEGE WILL MISS HIM. BECAUSE HE LIVED THE WORLD IS A BETTER PLACE AND SOME OF US ARE BETTER PEOPLE THAN WE WOULD HAVE BEEN OTHERWISE, I AM CERTAIN.
THOSE OF US WHOSE LIVES WERE TOUCHED BY DR. MOSELEY ARE TRULY BLESSED.
HARLEY SPOON '64
harleyspoon@yahoo.com
May Dr. Mosley enjoy the heavenly awards he earned. He was a leader and is a legend. I will always remember him as the man whose warmth, compassiompn, intellect and curiioisity sparkled in his eyes. Eternal llife be with him and may Mrs. Mosley find peace as she grieves for her loss.
ReplyDeleteKathleen Gigl
Dearest Family of Dr. Moseley,
ReplyDeleteThis man, Dr. John D. Moseley, enhanced lives including mine. I never heard anyone speak of him except in the highest of regard....and deserving he was. Your loss is understood and his physical absence will be felt...yet his spirit will live forever with those of us whose lives he graced.
My every sentiment,
Sherma
Sherma Landess
Rancho Mirage, CA
I remember vividly a production of Hamlet in the little campus theater under Luckett Hall, which Jon D. attended.
ReplyDeleteMy role was that of the churlish priest, which designation has always struck me as wonderfully ironic.
Nearly the last line was: "There cracks a noble heart."
How appropriate for this sad occasion. Even a life lived to its fullest is a tragic loss.
"Goodnight, sweet prince; and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest!"
Richard Hull
Tallahassee
Class of '63
Dr Moseley was my President.
ReplyDeleteMy sympathies to Dr. Moseley's family.
He will be missed.
John C. Landolt
Class of 1965
I learned to love and respect the leadership of John D. Moseley during my time at Austin College from 1953 to 1955. He and his wife, Bernice, were immediately a beloved presence on the campus. When I visited the campus for the 50 year reunion, many of his achievements were obvious. The college culture today is a tribute to the Moseleys' commitment to higher education and the liberal arts tradition.
ReplyDeleteIt is with sincere sadness to hear of his death. May God bless his family and the Austin community during this bereavement.
Ann Green Munz, 1955
Oak Ridge, Tennessee
My strongest memories concern his advice both during the runup to the Sesquicentennial Celebration, and ensuing, work on the Old Red Museum. "Context, always remember the context," he would say, and poke me in the chest to emphasize the point. Alas, I think I have now lost some "Context" ... and I will miss him.
ReplyDeleteDavid Schulz
The last time I saw Dr. Mosely was at the 125 Year Celebration. Several friends and I bumped into him on the walkway in front of the Abel Library. He was looking at the two rows of majestic trees lining the wide walkway. He told us that when that walk was first built, he got teased about its appearance, with people saying that it resembled an airport runway. Then he smiled and said, "But I was seeing it as it is now." That seems to be an apt metaphor for the vision Dr. Mosely had for everything about Austin College. Thank you, Dr. Mosely, for envisioning into existance the college I love.
ReplyDeleteSusan Bowen '76
Dr. Mosely led us well. He was not a "desk" administrator. He was there with us on a daily basis. I am sorry I did not see this sooner.
ReplyDeleteRev. Ken F. Sellers, Jr.
Class of '65