West Liberty University Alumnus Dr. Norman B. Moyes age 89 of Brighton, MA, passed away on Nov. 17, 2020 while in hospice care. Moyes was originally from Wheeling, W. Va. where he graduated from Wheeling High School in 1949; afterward, he went on to attend West Liberty State College and graduated in 1953 with an undergraduate degree in English.
After his time on the Hilltop, Moyes attended West Virginia University, earning a master’s degree in journalism. Ron Witt, executive director of alumni relations, talked with former West Liberty President, Dr. Clyde Campbell (a really good friend of Dr. Moyes) and learned upon completing his master’s degree, Moyes returned to the Hilltop for about three years to teach English and help supervise “The Trumpet” publications.
Clyde also claimed a West Liberty professor, Dr. Wayne Wenger, encouraged Moyes to pursue a doctorate degree. He then went to Syracuse University, where he earned his doctorate in communications. “He taught at Syracuse for two or three years and then began a teaching career at Boston University. During his tenure at Boston, he also wrote for the Boston Globe newspaper. Dr. Moyes had journalism in his blood as his father worked for the Wheeling News Register for many years.” said Campbell.
In addition to his career as a reporter and teacher, he was also a great photographer. Campbell said to Witt, “during his student days at West Liberty he was known as “scoops” because he always carried a pocketful of flashbulbs for his camera and was continually taking pictures. Young coeds were his specialty!”
According to Moyes obituary, his career began as a photographer for the Wheeling News Register before becoming a United States Army combat photographer. Witt states one of Moyes most famous photographs of John F. Kennedy (standing on a chair outside Rogers Hall, addressing the students, faculty, and administration) is proudly displayed on the first floor of Shaw Hall and can be found in WLU pictorial history books. “I have two large photo albums full of Norm’s black & white photos in my office that I will always treasure. Every time I see one of his photos I can’t help but think of Norm’s smiling face and recall one of his vivid stories of his days on the Hilltop,” Witt fondly shared.
Through all of his life adventures and challenges, one lifetime dedication always remained close to Moyes heart, the love and dedication he had to the Hilltop.
Moyes was inducted into the WLU Alumni Association Wall of Honor in 1992. According to Angie Hill, executive director of the West Liberty University Foundation, Moyes served as a member of the WLU Foundation Board of Directors from 2011 to 2020. An active participant in meetings, he always brought valuable perspectives and donated over $26,000 to various universities activities including the Marching Hilltoppers, the Annual Fund, and scholarships as claimed by Hill. “He was one of those alumni who came back to campus at every opportunity and was a very involved alumnus. The biggest thing I will always remember about Norm are the stories he told about his time on campus,” shared Hill.
Moyes was loved by many as a student, an educator, a scholar, a photographer, but most importantly, a friend. “Dr. Norman Moyes was a cheerful, sincere, dedicated friend to all he knew. He had a most pleasing personality, and it was an honor to call him “friend”. He loved his work, his students, and most significantly, West Liberty,” shared Dr. Campbell. Surely, his lifelong dedication and loyalty to West Liberty will not go unforgotten.
The slogan “Hilltop is Home” is often used among student’s today, and while the saying rings true for many, it especially rang true for Dr. Norman B. Moyes. He will be missed sincerely by the entire West Liberty community.