Ralph Moore '70 Named 2020 Kelley Medal Recipient
We are pleased to announce that Ralph Moore ’70 has been selected as the 2020 recipient of the Rev. Joseph M. Kelley, SJ, Medal – the highest form of recognition given to a Loyola Blakefield alumnus.
Ralph has been a strong advocate for social justice and education in Baltimore City since his formative years and continues to dedicate his time to issues of housing equity, poverty alleviation, and youth development. Educated and molded in his youth by the Oblate Sisters of Providence, Ralph grew up in West Baltimore. During his time at Loyola, he worked closely with a small group of classmates under the leadership of Fr. Bill Watters, SJ, to form the school’s first Black Student Union. Upon graduating from Loyola in 1970, Ralph studied at Johns Hopkins University, majoring in Social and Behavioral Sciences and minoring in History and Education.
Upon graduating from Johns Hopkins, he returned to Loyola as a teacher in the mid-1970s. During his career, Ralph worked with St. Ambrose Housing, St. Frances Academy, Living Classrooms, Restoration Gardens, and Baltimore City Community College. He also served on the boards of several local nonprofits, primarily focused on addressing the needs of Baltimore’s most marginalized citizens. A life-long non-driver, Ralph has led efforts to enhance public transportation throughout the state of Maryland and was recognized by the late Congressman Elijah Cummings for his efforts to create the “Transit Riders League.”
Ralph is the co-founder of the Nawal Rajeh Peace Camp in Baltimore City, a summer program that focuses on interpersonal conflict resolution and global peace. After receiving its “Peacemaker of the Year” award in 2007, the Baltimore Community Mediation Center honored him once again as one of several “Peacemakers of the Year” in 2018. In recent years, Ralph has been an instrumental member of the leadership committee to honor the legacy of Frank Fisher with the creation and growth of the Frank P. Fischer Diversity Scholarship Fund at Loyola Blakefield.
Ralph resides in the Abell neighborhood in Baltimore with his wife of 18 years, Dana. He is the proud parent of two daughters, Nia and Zahra. In addition to his volunteer work, he stays busy enjoying time with his grandchildren, Sylena and Xander.
The testimonials below reflect the sentiment shared by many who have known Ralph and witnessed his unwavering commitment to justice and peace.
“As a 15‐year-old sophomore transfer to Loyola, I was in a new and unfamiliar place. That didn’t last long. As a teacher, Ralph respected all of his students as mature, thinking adults. In other words, he treated us as equals. This was very empowering for me as I very much needed that reassurance at that time in my life, but the most important gift he gave us was how to think for ourselves.” – Mark Conner ’77
“Ralph has chosen to bring his leadership and his many talents to stand with those who are voiceless, homeless, and hopeless. Whether advocating for a well-run shelter for homeless men, or finding a way for Mother Seton Academy, Ralph was there, humble and undeterred, with the forgotten and underserved in inner city neighborhoods.” – Sr. Jeanne Barasha, SSND
“Ralph’s contributions are well‐known by so many who have directly or indirectly benefited from his work. What should be appreciated is that he has applied himself to these admirable goals over many years and for the benefit of a broad swath of people with various needs. This includes help in the form of both basic sustenance and life‐guidance, building blocks required for health, social, and educational maturation and productive participation in society.” – Peter Doyle ’70
“Since his days as a student, Ralph has been a force for change. At Hopkins, he was among the first large-scale cohort of African-American students. He was also a member of the Black Student Union, who worked to move our institution forward and to hold Johns Hopkins accountable for serving our students of color and our neighbors. This commitment continues to this day through Ralph’s long-term and integral role as part of the Fred Scott Brigade, a group of alumni who have played an important role in helping our institution continue its efforts to become an ever more inclusive and diverse institution.” – Ronald Daniels, President, Johns Hopkins University
The Kelley Medal Award Ceremony will be held in concert with a breakfast on Thursday, March 12, in Bunting Dining Hall at 8:00 a.m. All members of the Loyola Blakefield community are invited to attend. Register here.
Named in honor of Rev. Joseph M. Kelley, SJ, the Kelley Medal recognizes his dedication and commitment to educating Loyola students in physics and mathematics for nearly 40 years. As such, the Kelley Medal is regarded as the highest form of recognition given to a Loyola alumnus. It recognizes an alumnus who is outstanding by reason of distinction gained in business, profession, or by his outstanding participation in ecclesiastical or civic affairs. In addition, the alumnus is recognized for how his personal, family, and public life serves as a role model and example to the students and graduates of Loyola Blakefield.
Ralph has been a strong advocate for social justice and education in Baltimore City since his formative years and continues to dedicate his time to issues of housing equity, poverty alleviation, and youth development. Educated and molded in his youth by the Oblate Sisters of Providence, Ralph grew up in West Baltimore. During his time at Loyola, he worked closely with a small group of classmates under the leadership of Fr. Bill Watters, SJ, to form the school’s first Black Student Union. Upon graduating from Loyola in 1970, Ralph studied at Johns Hopkins University, majoring in Social and Behavioral Sciences and minoring in History and Education.
Upon graduating from Johns Hopkins, he returned to Loyola as a teacher in the mid-1970s. During his career, Ralph worked with St. Ambrose Housing, St. Frances Academy, Living Classrooms, Restoration Gardens, and Baltimore City Community College. He also served on the boards of several local nonprofits, primarily focused on addressing the needs of Baltimore’s most marginalized citizens. A life-long non-driver, Ralph has led efforts to enhance public transportation throughout the state of Maryland and was recognized by the late Congressman Elijah Cummings for his efforts to create the “Transit Riders League.”
Ralph is the co-founder of the Nawal Rajeh Peace Camp in Baltimore City, a summer program that focuses on interpersonal conflict resolution and global peace. After receiving its “Peacemaker of the Year” award in 2007, the Baltimore Community Mediation Center honored him once again as one of several “Peacemakers of the Year” in 2018. In recent years, Ralph has been an instrumental member of the leadership committee to honor the legacy of Frank Fisher with the creation and growth of the Frank P. Fischer Diversity Scholarship Fund at Loyola Blakefield.
Ralph resides in the Abell neighborhood in Baltimore with his wife of 18 years, Dana. He is the proud parent of two daughters, Nia and Zahra. In addition to his volunteer work, he stays busy enjoying time with his grandchildren, Sylena and Xander.
The testimonials below reflect the sentiment shared by many who have known Ralph and witnessed his unwavering commitment to justice and peace.
“As a 15‐year-old sophomore transfer to Loyola, I was in a new and unfamiliar place. That didn’t last long. As a teacher, Ralph respected all of his students as mature, thinking adults. In other words, he treated us as equals. This was very empowering for me as I very much needed that reassurance at that time in my life, but the most important gift he gave us was how to think for ourselves.” – Mark Conner ’77
“Ralph has chosen to bring his leadership and his many talents to stand with those who are voiceless, homeless, and hopeless. Whether advocating for a well-run shelter for homeless men, or finding a way for Mother Seton Academy, Ralph was there, humble and undeterred, with the forgotten and underserved in inner city neighborhoods.” – Sr. Jeanne Barasha, SSND
“Ralph’s contributions are well‐known by so many who have directly or indirectly benefited from his work. What should be appreciated is that he has applied himself to these admirable goals over many years and for the benefit of a broad swath of people with various needs. This includes help in the form of both basic sustenance and life‐guidance, building blocks required for health, social, and educational maturation and productive participation in society.” – Peter Doyle ’70
“Since his days as a student, Ralph has been a force for change. At Hopkins, he was among the first large-scale cohort of African-American students. He was also a member of the Black Student Union, who worked to move our institution forward and to hold Johns Hopkins accountable for serving our students of color and our neighbors. This commitment continues to this day through Ralph’s long-term and integral role as part of the Fred Scott Brigade, a group of alumni who have played an important role in helping our institution continue its efforts to become an ever more inclusive and diverse institution.” – Ronald Daniels, President, Johns Hopkins University
The Kelley Medal Award Ceremony will be held in concert with a breakfast on Thursday, March 12, in Bunting Dining Hall at 8:00 a.m. All members of the Loyola Blakefield community are invited to attend. Register here.
Named in honor of Rev. Joseph M. Kelley, SJ, the Kelley Medal recognizes his dedication and commitment to educating Loyola students in physics and mathematics for nearly 40 years. As such, the Kelley Medal is regarded as the highest form of recognition given to a Loyola alumnus. It recognizes an alumnus who is outstanding by reason of distinction gained in business, profession, or by his outstanding participation in ecclesiastical or civic affairs. In addition, the alumnus is recognized for how his personal, family, and public life serves as a role model and example to the students and graduates of Loyola Blakefield.
