In the Limelight
Dessie Moxley
As parents, Dessie Moxley and her husband, Jim, have witnessed how a Washington College education can transform a young person into a thoughtful, intellectually curious citizen of the world. As longtime supporters of Washington College, they also understand how quickly their gifts can bring about positive change.
Their youngest child, Mark '93, discovered new interests in history and current affairs during his undergraduate days. Chairman of the William James Forum, Mark organized a series of lectures that presented various points of view in a wide array of fields. "Washington College seemed to inspire him to read and to learn about a lot of different subjects," recalls Mrs. Moxley. "He became quite literary, and he loved to hear both sides of a story."
The Moxleys' first significant gift to the College supported the William James Forum. Since Mrs. Moxley joined the Board of Visitors and Governors in 2000, they have provided leadership gifts for the Center for the Environment and Society and the John S. Toll Science Center. When College President Baird Tipson articulated the need for a new performing arts center, the Moxleys were eager to answer the challenge.
"Our background at Glenelg Country School confirms that today's students are very interested in the performing arts," says Mrs. Moxley. "Drama and music are central to their education, and prospective students expect to find excellent facilities for the performing arts at the colleges of their choice. With this new facility we are also answering a need for people who consider Chestertown the ideal place to live. Just as Washington College can broaden the vistas of its students, it can expand its horizons into the greater community as a cultural center. It is through the arts that newcomers will become acquainted with Washington College."