From his days performing in choir and theater at Albion College to his continued presence on campus today, Dennis Moore ’70 is a living testament to the power and versatility of a liberal arts education.

His career has taken him from graduate studies in theater at the University of Michigan to nonprofit fundraising, public service, radio, and even the National Park Service. Yet Moore’s most enduring role may be the one he plays at his alma mater: That of a mentor and a volunteer simply seeking to better the lives of those around him.

Over the years, Moore has remained deeply engaged with Albion College. He regularly returns to campus to work with student groups, assist with choir rehearsals and, using his extensive knowledge of theater and performance, offer workshops on public speaking. He has served on the Ford Institute advisory board, been a resource for students seeking internships or career advice, and remains a member of the Alumni Board. His unique ability to connect across disciplines and generations exemplifies the liberal arts in action.

“I’ve always just wanted to help the students,” Moore said. “The Alumni Board gives me access to campus and faculty, and getting to know the faculty means knowing events that go beyond Homecoming and getting into the day-to-day.”

Moore’s journey to Albion College began with a desire for a small, non-restrictive academic environment, one that encouraged exploration and fostered friendships. Arriving on campus in 1967, he found just that. He immersed himself in things that nurtured his love of language and storytelling, such as choir, theater, and a number of Greek organizations, including Delta Sigma Phi, Phi Mu Alpha, and Theta Alpha Phi.

“Albion was a place of pathfinding,” Moore said. “It helped me to develop paths I was already taking, try new ones, and let some go.”

After graduating in 1970, Moore was drafted to serve in the Vietnam War. Upon his return, he earned a master’s in theater from the University of Michigan and began a career as multifaceted as his education. He spent sixteen years in nonprofit fundraising for the College for Creative Studies in Detroit and Kendall College of Art & Design in Grand Rapids. He then served two years as publicity officer for the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England, and later worked as a reporter and announcer for WUPY-WMQT Radio in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. He also served as public affairs officer at the Canadian Consulate in Detroit before finishing his career as a park ranger at River Raisin National Battlefield Park, where he brought history to life through public education and civic storytelling.

Each role Moore took drew from different liberal arts skills: Writing, speaking, interpreting history, and serving others.

In an age that often demands specialization, Moore’s story serves as a reminder that a liberal arts education isn’t just about opening doors; it’s about having the courage and the curiosity to walk through all of them, if only to see what might lie on the other side.