2021 Faculty Citation and Alumnus of the Year Awards

On Friday, Feb. 5, the Moody Alumni Association presented two annual awards during Moody’s Founder’s Week conference: 2021 Faculty Citation Award, and 2021 Alumnus of the Year Award.

Out of an abundance of caution given the rising health concerns and recommended meeting restrictions by city and state laws due to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, for the first time in 100 years, Founder’s Week was broadcast as an entirely digital event.

Faculty Citation Award to Communications Professor

This year’s Faculty Citation Award was given to Kelli Worrall, Moody Bible Institute professor of Communications and field chair of Music and Media Arts. Each year the Alumni Association chooses one nominated faculty member to honor for his or her distinguished service.

Worrall’s life of storytelling began in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where she lived until she left for college. She joined the Communications faculty at Moody Bible Institute in the fall of 1998, where she met her future husband, Peter MA ‘00. She quickly became a popular professor, known for her skill and passion for mentoring young writers. She picked up additional responsibilities, such as writing and directing the drama for the annual Candlelight Carols production. At various times, Kelli has served as faculty advisor for Moody’s The Arch yearbook and Thin Space literary magazine. Now in her 23^rd year of teaching, Kelli was recently appointed field chair for the Music and Media Arts division. She continues to influence the Moody campus far beyond her classroom role.

Kelli Worrall, field chair of Music and Media Arts; professor of Communications.

Nancy (Andersen ’80) Hastings, executive director of the Alumni Association, presented the award to Kelli Worrall on January 12, in a pre-production recording. “It was a delight to be able to acknowledge and honor Kelli as our 2021 Faculty Citation recipient,” said Hastings. “She is respected and loved by her students and colleagues and is well deserving of this recognition.”

To hear about the life and ministry of professor Worrall, please watch the Faculty Citation Award video tribute below, which was shown during Friday morning’s award presentation.

Alumnus of the Year Award to Sacred Music Professor

During the evening online session of Founder’s Week, Hastings announced the 2021 Alumnus of the Year Award, which was presented to Dr. Gerald Edmonds, class of 1957.

Dr. Gerald Edmonds, professor emeritus of Sacred Music, director emeritus of the Moody Chorale.

While attending Moody Bible Institute in 1954, Dr. Edmonds joined the Moody Chorale and studied under legendary conductors. This sparked a passion in him for music ministry around the world. In 1958 he married his wife, Patty Manges ‘57, and worked in a variety of music-centered roles and groups. In 1969, he joined the faculty at Moody, serving in various capacities in the Music department such as teaching, conducting, and later organizing the Moody Concert Band. He never viewed his work at Moody as “work,” and the engagement with students and the opportunity to use his musical skill and passion in service to the Lord and others brought him profound joy. During his tenure, he led the Chorale on tours all over the United States and overseas. As professor of Sacred Music, he taught choral conducting, church music courses, and coordinated the combined ministries of the touring music groups.

“I have known and respected Dr. Edmonds since my days as a student at Moody,” said Hastings. “I have admired his commitment to the Lord as well as his dedication to the Moody Bible Institute. It is a great honor to be able to recognize this lifelong faithfulness by presenting the 2021 Alumnus of the Year award to Dr. Edmonds.”

To hear about the life and ministry of professor Dr. Edmonds, please watch the Alumnus of the Year Award video tribute, which was shown during the award presentation.

For more information about Founder’s Week, and to watch sessions online, please visit www.foundersweek.com.