Centralight

For the past 27 years, Central- loving friends have gathered in Traverse City for the CMU Thomas "Bud" Moore Scholarship Open. Named for Moore, who died at 69 in 2002, the golf tournament raises scholarship money for CMU students in northern Michigan's Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska and Leelanau counties. "He just loved Central Michigan so much and had kept up with his friends and was just very involved," Betty Moore says of her late husband. Teeing up for scholarships Dan Stoudt, a friend of Moore's and member of the scholarship committee, remembers Moore, '55, gathering his friends to launch the tourney. "Tom was a charming, well- thought-of person who was always doing things for other people," Stoudt says. "He had the innate ability to get others involved, as no one could turn him down." That kind of charisma has paid off in a very successful golf fundraiser that has spanned nearly three decades. It has now nurtured a sizable endowment that has allowed enough spendable income to award $18,000 in scholarships this year. Recipient Kaischa Smith is a 32-year-old elementary education student who takes classes through CMU's Global Campus in Traverse City. She was awarded $2,000. "I substitute teach in the public school system, and I haven't made a whole lot of money, so the scholarship was a tremendous help," she says. "I had a really great education in the Traverse City Public Schools. I'd love to be able to work in the school system as a teacher and give back." Betty Moore said her husband was passionate about staying connected with friends. Though his career as an attorney eventually led his family to Texas, he maintained a summer cottage in Traverse City and loved reuniting with his college buddies. The golf tournament provided a great opportunity for that. She says the event's lasting impact on students has meant a lot to her. "It makes me feel really good. It makes me feel like his presence is still around." • BY CYNTHIA J. DRAKE, M.A. '08 28 centralight winter '14 PHOTO BY SAMMY MADAR 'Fore' a good cause: The CMU Thomas Bud Moore Scholarship Open takes place in Traverse City every July.

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