Moravian College Magazine - Spring 2021
Saving Black Lives
Debra Fraser-Howze, the subject of our cover story, is pursuing a master's degree in theological studies at the seminary and simultaneously has launched the initiative Choose Healthy Life, which works with leading clergy to deliver resources for fighting the pandemic in Black communities. Her story is truly inspiring and heartbreaking.
In this issue of the magazine, you will also hear about a generous gift from Eric Ruskoski '69 of rare and first-edition books, including an 1856 edition of Leaves of Grass originally owned by the Whitman family. You will hear from Anna Litofsky '22, current president of the Manuscript Club (publisher of The Manuscript, Moravian's literature and arts magazine), and you can read poems by Jonathan Clark '16 and Keyshawn Griffith '19, who are enrolled in master of fine arts programs in creative writing.
Called to Action
As a child, Debra Fraser-Howze learned that community members take care of each other. For decades, feet on the ground, Fraser-Howze has put that conviction into action, serving the underserved. In January of this year, having amassed the support of public health officials, nonprofit and private organizations, and most importantly a powerful cadre of Black clergy from five cities, she launched Choose Healthy Life, an initiative aimed at tackling the COVID crisis in Black communities.
Susquehanna Jack
Writer, author, and storyteller John L. Moore mines the Moravian Archives to delve deeper into the stories of Pennsylvania's first peoples. He has donated 14 of his books to Reeves Library.
The Book Collector
For Eric Ruskoski '69, the pursuit of a career had many unpredictable changes in direction, eventually leading him to become one of the founding entrepreneurs of a very successful business, but his love of literature was a constant.
Your Story
An alum reflects
American Myth—A Poetics of Passage-Making
By Jonathan Clark '16
A Maine Life
The Gray Jay
My favorite Maine motto is "The Way Life Should Be," and on this day it couldn't have been truer.
By Ron dePaolo '64