By Brandi Hutcheson
Ranger Reporter
Some people might define success as finding a passion and sticking with it, while others might define it as simply passing each class. Success might be defined to some as traveling the world or being able to donate money to the hungry and the poor all their lives.
Whatever success may be defined as, it has a lot to do with hard work, dedication, passion and affecting others in a good and measurable way. With no doubt, that is what Bruce Moseley portrays.
This year, Moseley has been recognized with several awards: the Mead Award, which Moseley said is essentially the “professor of the year award” at Amarillo College, the Texans Caring for Texans award, which is given to state employees who go “above and beyond,” and the Top 20 under 40 award from the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce.
Moseley also was named Pro Bono Attorney of the Year for his dedication to helping indigent clients with their legal needs. Moseley has received the award for three years. In addition, the Equal Justice Volunteer Program named an award after him, the “Bruce Moseley Award,” that goes to an outstanding volunteer attorney.
“I had never won an award in my entire life before I started working at AC,” Moseley said. “I have no doubt that it is my passion for the incredible and important work that AC does that has led me to get so involved as an advocate for the less fortunate in our community.
“I feel blessed to be able to volunteer thanks to my flexible schedule at AC and my incredibly supportive wife, and I am honored beyond words to have been recognized with these awards this year.”
Moseley started working at AC in January 2009. He is director of paralegal studies and teaches paralegal studies and criminal justice courses. This year, he was promoted from paralegal studies coordinator to chairman of the business department. He also began working as a part-time attorney in the Blackburn and Tisdell law firm.
Carol Buse, chairwoman of the computer information systems department, said Moseley is a good teacher and that students love his class.
“He cares about students and wants them to succeed and will do what he can to help them,” Buse said. “Also, he cares for those who don’t have many opportunities and those who are underrepresented and does what he can to help them.
“I think both of these characteristics are evident by the awards he has recently received. Additionally, he is extremely funny and has a very quick wit. We are usually laughing about something every day.”
Moseley has two daughters, ages 2 and 4, and a wife, who he said all are incredibly supportive.
“I couldn’t function without my wife,” Moseley said. “She is the most amazing woman in the world. Seriously. She is such an awesome wife and mother to our two young daughters. I have never seen anyone so dedicated to raising their children in my life.
“My wife took a video of me receiving the Mead Award at graduation, and you can hear my two daughters screaming with pride, ‘That’s my Daddy! That’s my Daddy!’ It is really touching.”
Moseley said he feels lucky to work at AC and has much respect for students, many of whom have struggles that might justify them to drop out of school.
“Every semester, I am amazed at how many of my students are working full-time, raising families, and yet make time to come to school to try to improve their station in life,” he said. “It inspires me to know that I might have a small impact on one of these students’ lives each semester, and I hope to do this for the rest of my life. I honestly can’t imagine my life without AC in it.”
Moseley said he will continue to take classes for the rest of his life. He is working on a master’s degree in educational leadership at West Texas A&M University and said he has vision of completing more associate degrees at AC.
“There is so much to learn about the world that I find fascinating,” he said. “I am constantly seeking education opportunities to further my understanding of this complex world we live in.
“If I was to give any advice to students out there, it would be to find something you’re passionate about and follow it. The world is full of possibilities, and everyone has a special talent, gift or curiosity that needs to be explored, and that is the beauty of all of the educational opportunities available.
“You can never have too much education, so prioritize your time and budget to include it. I worked several good jobs before going to law school and then worked as an attorney in a firm before finding out that being a teacher was my calling.”
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