A generous planned gift from Andy and Angela Moore creates scholarships for members of “The Pride” who are also music majors in the College of Creative Arts and Media. (WVU Foundation Photo/Garrett Cullen)
A decade ago, Eastern Panhandle natives Andy and Angela Moore made their first contribution to what is now the West Virginia University College of Creative Arts and Media. In 2015, the former high school band members and WVU enthusiasts pledged an initial $300,000 scholarship gift to support a member of “The Pride of West Virginia,” the University’s acclaimed Mountaineer Marching Band.
“Who doesn’t like a great marching band?” Andy Moore asked. “Supporting ‘The Pride of West Virginia’ is so easy. Clearly, they are exceptional at what they do, and I think everybody loves ‘The Pride.’”
The Moores recently committed to a generous gift in their will supporting the L. Andrew and Angela Moore Endowed Scholarship Fund.
“Thank you so much to Andy and Angela for this incredible commitment to future generations of marching band students,” Keith Jackson, Philip J. Faini/Falbo Family Dean of the College of Creative Arts and Media, said. “The legacy and tradition of ‘The Pride of West Virginia’ is surpassed only by the generosity of those who have supported the marching band for decades — like Andy and Angela. The marching band gives us the tremendous gift of music, and in turn, the Moores are giving back to future marching band students.”
A current scholarship established by the Moores benefits non-music majors. Additional support from their planned gift will aid undergraduate students enrolled in the School of Music marching band course who are majoring in music.
(WVU Foundation Photo/Garrett Cullen)
“We hope the impact of the scholarship will make paying for college a little bit easier,” Andy said. “It’s certainly not getting any less expensive, and if this can help them even a little bit, it’s a little less time and effort they have to put into something else to generate income to pay for school or whatever it is they need.”
Andy and Angela are natives of Shepherdstown and Harpers Ferry, respectively. Andy attended WVU for two years before transferring to Shepherd University. Although Angela did not attend WVU, both are lifelong Mountaineer fans with a deep appreciation for WVU athletics, the positive impact the University has on the state, and “The Pride.”
The 300-plus member Mountaineer Marching Band has performed throughout the United States, from nationally televised bowl games to presidential inaugurations. The band also has participated in two Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parades in New York City.
The Moores have had long, successful careers with State Farm Insurance — Andy as the current director of the technology group and Angela as a human resources analyst for the company. They’ve lived in Illinois, Maryland and now Cumming, Georgia. As with many Mountaineer fans, their hearts are in Morgantown.
“It was always a place that felt like home,” Andy said. “It’s a place to come back and see family and friends and kind of reconnect with West Virginia.”
The Moores’ gift was made through the WVU Foundation, the nonprofit organization that receives and administers private donations on behalf of the University.