Natasha Moore received Manor College’s Mother Josaphat Medal, the highest award a student can receive while at the institution.
Moore, a junior studying Business Administration, received the medal from Sister Joann Sosler, of the Sisters of Saint Basil the Great, during Manor’s 21st annual Founders Day. Founders Day celebrates the Sisters of St. Basil the Great, who founded Manor in 1947.
“I feel really blessed,” Moore said. “I wasn’t expecting it. I just feel very grateful that I chose Manor. It just means a lot to help other people and make sure that they feel seen and heard.”
The Mother Josaphat Medal is a student award presented to a Manor College student who exhibits a responsible lifestyle evidenced through reverence, respect and service. The institution has bestowed the award since 2007.
“When she started at Manor College, Natasha was introverted and to herself. Certainly, she is not now,” said Thomas Sims, Vice President of Advancement at Manor College, who has served as Moore’s manager for two years. “She got involved and found her voice. And now, she will happily tell you she is still introverted, but that does not prevent her from being a leader. She is an example to other students who may be resistant to getting involved.”
At Manor, Moore is a Presidential Ambassador, President of Student Senate and a member of the Rotaract Club, the Phi Theta Kappa honor society and the DEIA book club.
Outside of the institution, Moore volunteered with the Greater Valley Forge Human Resources Association over the last year, and participated in the Stamp Out Parkinson’s Walk.
In 2024, she worked with Manor College’s DEIA committee and created a three-part series called Sip, Savor and Explore to create a dialogue about “internal biases” and where they come from. In December, she organized a coat drive that donated more than 80 winter items to St. James Church in Kensington.
“I didn’t know anyone when I first came in and she wasted no time in talking to me and letting it be known she was in my corner,” one student nominator wrote. “We didn’t even share a major, but that didn’t matter to her. Even now, she still makes sure to look out for me and at least say hi. It’s nice to see a well-known, out-there student who acknowledges the invisible.”
A second nominator wrote, “The most important part of Natasha’s work is that she doesn’t do this for the recognition. When you give her praise, she’ll smile or chuckle and move onto the next task. She might be the most genuinely kind person I’ve ever met.”
After college, Moore hopes to go into Human Resources.
“I didn’t feel seen in grade school and high school because of my introverted nature,” Moore said. “I want to make people feel seen.”
Five other students were named finalists for the Mother Josaphat Medal, including Lauren Brown, a St. Hubert High School graduate.
Along with the medal presentation, Founders Day included a prayer service and keynote speaker Jaime Simpson, the Dean of Allied Health Sciences.
“This special day serves as a powerful reminder of our community’s roots, the groundbreaking work and the vision that brought this college to life,” Simpson said. “We are here today because of the dedication and forward thinking of the Sisters of St. Basil the Great, whose hard work laid the foundation for Manor College.”
Simpson spoke about the changes that have taken place at the college since its inception, but despite the changes, the core values remained the same.
“The essence of Manor College has remained constant since its founding in 1947,” Simpson said. “The ‘why’ that guided the founding of Manor in 1947 – providing high-quality education – continues to guide us. We continue the mission of the Sisters of St. Basil the Great by fostering educational opportunities for all, grounded in faith and dedicated to the growth and development of our community.”
The Educator of the Year award went to Dr. Cherie Crosby-Weeks, a Professor and Program Director of Teacher Education programs at Manor.
Crosby-Weeks started her Manor career in 2011. She is the first professor to win the award on multiple occasions.
The Educator of the Year is given to a professor whose dedication and commitment goes beyond the classroom. This student-nominated award honors the selected faculty member who received the most votes.
“She’s always there when I’m in need, no matter what it is, she’s available,” said Davion Chaney, a 2022 Manor College alum who returned for his bachelor’s degree this year. “She has patience with her students and understands us through what we are going through. She shows the love and passion that she has for education while teaching.”
As part of Founders Day, Manor conducted a food drive for the institution’s Bird Feed Food Pantry.
The pantry, located on campus, benefits Manor College students in need and their families. It provides a variety of non-perishable food items and basic necessities.
With the help of 21 different community organizations, Manor collected more than 700 pounds of food for the pantry. ••
