Dr. Candada (Candi) Moore, BA ’78, is committed to strengthening the communities that she calls home. Ohio Northern University inspired her journey down this path, she explained: “As an ONU student, I learned to take an interest and to give back.”
Forty-five years later, she’s still on course. The most recent example is a scholarship fund that she and her husband, Dr. Steven Mershon, established as part of ONU’s Forward Together campaign, which seeks to raise $100 million for student scholarships, teaching and learning excellence, facilities, and the Northern Fund.
The Moore Family Endowed Scholarship assists academically-talented students in need, preferencing female students from Moore’s home area in Ohio.
“As a student, I was thankful for scholarships that allowed me to attend the college of my choice and led to a successful legal and business career,” she said. “By providing scholarship money for ONU students, I’m just returning the favor. It’s the least I can do.”
After graduating from ONU in 1978 with a dual major in psychology and business administration, Moore obtained her juris doctorate from The Ohio State University.
She then embarked on a 30-plus year career as a lawyer and banker in Ohio, the Midwest and New England, helping to structure transactions to finance noteworthy public and private projects.
A few of Moore’s significant projects included an Ohio Department of Development innovative borrowing program that aided small businesses in the state by providing low-interest loans, and JobsOhio financing, which enabled Ohio to lure technology and other manufacturers to the state. A huge Cleveland baseball fan, she was thrilled to work on financing for Jacob’s Field (now Progressive Field). And, she also assisted with financial projects for Children’s Hospital, Cleveland Clinic, and The Inn at Ohio Northern University.
Outside of work, Moore became involved in city government, serving on the village council and as vice mayor of Granville. She also volunteered with community nonprofits, including acting as the chairperson of the Licking Land Trust.
“Nonprofits often take on challenges that are not being met in the community,” she said. “By working with them you can help improve the quality of life where you reside.”
Moore is proud of her work with the Licking Land Trust to protect greenspace and historic buildings from encroaching development. “I am ensuring that future generations will enjoy the rural heritage and open space,” she said.
At ONU, Moore shared her expertise as a member of the ONU Board of Trustees and the Dicke College of Business Administration Advisory Board. A former ONU softball player and Alpha Omicron Pi member, she organized her sorority sisters to sponsor the naming of a dugout in ONU’s soon-to-be-built Durbin-Hileman Softball Stadium.
Her involvement with ONU, she says, is motivated by her desire to see students succeed and the University continue to excel.
Shannon Spencer, vice president for university advancement, said: “Candi is a true servant leader. She devoted her life to improving her village, the state of Ohio, and her alma mater by giving selflessly of her time, expertise, and treasure. We are grateful for her unwavering support of Ohio Northern University. The scholarship that she and Steve established will benefit countless future students.”