Eleanor Moore: 2017 Gene Barnwell Waugh Mentor Honoree

Written by Maria Cammack. 

 

Eleanor Moore is this year’s recipient of the Gene Barnwell Waugh Mentor Award.  Eleanor was the Director of Scholarships and Donor Relations for the Texas Exes, UT Austin’s alumni association, and official Den Mother, for 25 years before retiring in 2011. Under her leadership, more than 14,000 UT students received more than $29 million in scholarship funding.  She mentored hundreds of students who have gone on to become prominent leaders in their communities and industries since graduating.

 We caught up with Eleanor to get to know her a little better.

 

WCA: How did you get started in your career?

After graduating from UT, I taught elementary school for several years as my husband’s career, first in the Air Force and then in the private sector, took us to many different states.  I had worked for 4 years at the Texas Exes before we moved again.  When we returned to Austin, one of my mentors at Texas Exes asked me to come back to work there.  I took a part time position and when the scholarship department position opened up, I started working full time.  I was apprehensive that scholarships might be boring but boy, was I wrong.  It turned out to be the greatest professional decision of my life.

 

WCA: Tell us about your experience. What have been some of your career highlights?

As Director of Scholarships and Donor Relations, I spent my time working with incredibly bright UT students.  We recruited many students as high school seniors which enabled us to be part of their life experience from freshman year to graduation.  Watching their growth over that period of time, being part of their life experience – successes and failures – and the keeping in touch as they graduated and went on to grad school or professional careers was so rewarding.  It was as if I had a huge extended family.  Satisfaction continues as I keep up with so many students who are now doctors, lawyers, writers and professionals with spouses and children.  Seeing them become successful adults is very rewarding.

 

WCA: How long have you been a mentor and what sparked your interest in mentoring?

Mentoring was part and parcel of my job for over 25 years.  I had an open door policy and both students and co-workers came to talk about what was going on in their lives.

 

WCA: What is the most important thing about being a mentor?

Listening is validation.  Really listening to others makes them feel comfortable and builds their self-confidence.  Mentoring is really just bringing out the best in others and helping them think through what they want and where they want to go in life.

 

WCA: What does being a mentor mean to you and what do you find most rewarding?

It’s what I was meant to do in life and has brought me so many friends that I have helped in little ways.

 

WCA: What do you find most challenging about being a mentor?

Learning not to give advice – let people talk and think about things, perhaps giving options but letting them find the best way for themselves.

 

WCA: What is the best advice you have given a mentee?

Listen to your heart, have patience and work toward your goals.  Be true to yourself and do what you want to do, not what others want or expect you to do.

 

WCA: This year’s Banner Brunch theme is Opportunity Blooms. What does this mean to you?

We all need support and encouragement to make the most of our opportunities.  Taking advantage of those opportunities allows us all to bloom – or become the best we can be.

 

Help us celebrate Eleanor Moore at Banner Brunch on April 8, 2017. Get your tickets today online.