As a lifelong learner, Veronica “Ronnie” Kompanek Moore ’40 was always interested in current events, both locally and globally, and continued to be until her passing in February 2022.
She graduated from McDaniel College with a degree in English and Latin, but she was involved far beyond the classroom. She was editor of the student newspaper, The Gold Bug; manager of the debate team; on the Aloha yearbook staff; and a member of College Players. After graduating as a member of the college’s Argonauts Honor Society and being selected as the “best all-around college woman” at then Western Maryland College, Ronnie’s career was as varied as her time on the Hill.
From high school English and Latin teacher to The Cumberland News and The Associated Press (AP), she remained true to her roots established at her alma mater. While working in Washington, D.C., as an editor for the AP, she remained active in the alumni chapter in Northern Virginia. That affinity would pay off when William “Robbie” Robinson ’41 played Cupid and introduced Ronnie to her second husband, Alvan “Al” N. Moore ’38.
Though they found each other later in life, Ronnie and Al always remembered their time on the Hill fondly and felt called to give back. They were very generous to the college through annual gifts, a joint Charitable Gift Annuity, and a bequest to establish The Veronica Kompanek and Alvan Moore Scholarship Fund to support a deserving sophomore, junior, and senior who has demonstrated financial need.
Always eager to learn, Ronnie confided in a friend that staying mentally active “kept her frontal lobes working,” and could be credited for her wonderful humor and quality of life until her passing at age 103.
Her love of learning will continue to live on at McDaniel College.
To learn more about planned giving opportunities, contact Lawrence “Chip” Junkin M.S. ’15 at cjunkin@mcdaniel.edu or 410-857-2256.