Karen Moore always connects people with opportunities, says Bruce Moore, who is honoring his wife by making certain more opportunities are available for young people.
Bruce Moore of Nashville has created the Karen Bell Moore Scholarship at the University of Mississippi under the guidance of the Ole Miss Women’s Council with a $100,000 gift.
“Karen is always reaching out and doing things for other people,” says Bruce Moore, president of the Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) Outpatient Services Group. “When a person continually puts others first without any expectation of anything in return, there is a definite ripple effect. Karen makes life better for many; she cares about people on a very individual basis.”
A framed certificate about the scholarship was wrapped as a surprise birthday gift for the honoree.
“Bruce won’t ever be able to give me a gift that will be greater than this scholarship,” Karen Moore says of the surprise. “I was so excited and so humbled. Bruce and I feel passionate about the university and about the work of Chancellor Robert Khayat. This scholarship will support both.”
Scholarship recipients are to be selected from middle Tennessee residents, who plan to attend UM. Karen Moore serves on the Ole Miss Women’s Council, which provides mentoring and leadership training to help scholarship recipients succeed. Some council scholars recently traveled to Nashville for a weekend of music industry-related experiences, and Moore helped plan the experiences.
“I love the women on this council and the purpose of their work,” says Karen Moore. “It is so inspiring to see the way they encourage students. This is what I’m all about: I love to mentor and to see young people thrive.”
UM Chancellor Robert Khayat says he applauds the Moores for their commitment to the university and its students.
“Karen and Bruce Moore are extraordinary members of the Ole Miss family,” Khayat says. “We are grateful for their contributions to the university, which include their service in several areas and this tremendous new scholarship honoring Karen. I have enjoyed meaningful conversations with them about strengthening our beloved university, and their thoughtful gift is an example of their vision and devotion.”
Jan Farrington of Jackson, Miss., who chairs the Women’s Council, says the new scholarship is a reflection on the couple’s belief in making opportunities available to others.
“It has been such a pleasure to work with Karen Moore on the Ole Miss Women’s Council. She and Bruce epitomize our young, energetic, successful alumni who are making it a priority to give back to Ole Miss. They have certainly set a wonderful example in giving – not only of their resources but also of their time and talent. The recent OMWC scholarship given by Bruce in honor of Karen is just one of the ways that they are providing important opportunities for our students,” Farrington says.
The Moores, who have supported an array of UM schools and programs with gifts through the years, also serve as the Nashville co-chairs of the university’s Momentum campaign. The initiative has as its goal attracting $200 million in private support for academics and athletics, and $150 million already has been given.
“On one occasion I told Chancellor Khayat I thought there was a huge population in middle Tennessee that would be willing to lend support,” Karen Moore says. “I was happy when he later asked Bruce and me to work on the campaign. I’ve learned that Ole Miss is all about family. When you graduate you become a part of a network. There is an immediate bond between Ole Miss graduates of all ages; we love to help each other and the university.”
Bruce Moore, who is a University of Mississippi Foundation board member, agrees. “You never forget where you came from. Ole Miss embodies a sense of loyalty and a sense of community.”
Karen Moore also devotes her time to strengthening her Nashville community through numerous organizations, including the Meals on Wheels program of the Martha O’Bryan Center and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. She is co-chairing the 2008 gala to attract funds for the Frist Visual Arts Center, which provides high-quality art exhibitions, educational programs and community outreach activities. The Moores are active in the First Presbyterian Church of Nashville, and she teaches a weekly Bible study for high school girls.
Bruce Moore, whose hometown is Laurel, Miss., and Karen Bell Moore, a native of Nashville, knew each other during their college years, but it was not until their senior year at Ole Miss did they start dating. Another reason behind the scholarship goes back to their families: Bruce’s sister and Karen’s twin sister and four brothers all earned UM degrees, and now the couple’s oldest son is attending UM.
“As anyone can tell, UM is a family tradition,” Bruce Moore says.
The Moores are the parents of Tyler, 20, Margaret Anne, 17, and Mitchell, 14.