Lyda Louise Moore and Randal ‘Ran’ Moore

---

St. Mary’s University stands as one of the oldest Catholic universities in the Southwest. Rooted in the Marianist educational tradition, the University has long emphasized the formation of the whole person—intellectually, morally, and spiritually—preparing its students not only for professional success but for lives of purpose and service.

At the heart of St. Mary’s is a clearly defined set of core values: faith, community, service, justice, and education for adaptation and change. These principles are not merely academic ideals; they are lived expectations. Students are encouraged to engage meaningfully with their communities, to act with integrity, and to recognize their responsibility to uplift others. The Marianist philosophy teaches that education is a vehicle for transformation—both personal and societal—and that success carries with it an obligation to serve.

This ethos has had a profound and lasting influence on those shaped by it, including Lyda Louise Moore. For Mrs. Moore, the values instilled through her association with St. Mary’s became more than guiding principles—they became a moral compass. She embraced, throughout her life, the belief that education and faith must be expressed through action: through generosity, stewardship, and a deep commitment to the well-being of others. Her life reflected the Marianist conviction that one’s blessings are not solely to be enjoyed, but to be shared.

Image left to right. 

J. Bayard Moore, Susan Moore, Minnie Moore, and Lyda Louise Moore, 

The Union Club, New York, New York 

1969