University of Richmond senior fellow in Bonner Center for Civic Engagement named "Richmond History Maker" for 2008
October 21, 2008
When John Moeser moved to Richmond more than 30 years ago, he began a career that was completely unintentional and nearly cut short because of the city's racial and political divide at the time.
"There weren't many jobs for social scientists back then," said Moeser, senior fellow at the University of Richmond Bonner Center for Civic Engagement and professor emeritus of urban studies at Virginia Commonwealth University. "I decided to get a job here and learn about the field, and became fascinated with city government."
Moeser is one of five individuals and groups to be recognized as "Richmond History Makers for 2008" at a cocktail reception tonight at 5:30 p.m. at the Valentine Richmond History Center. Recipients of the distinction are selected for "making significant contributions to the greater Richmond region."
As an undergraduate, Moeser studied political science, and began work on a dissertation for his Ph.D. when he moved to Richmond. Beginning with a faculty appointment to the urban studies and planning department at VCU, Moeser has worked inside and outside of the classroom to bridge the divide between the city and its suburbs for 30 years.
But when he first moved to Richmond, Moeser and his wife were so disturbed by the political and racial climate of the city that they considered moving back to Washington, D.C.
"It was a very contentious time—the city had annexed a part of Chesterfield where we lived, the schools were just beginning to desegregate and Richmond was still caught, very much, in a time warp," he said. "It was just awful."
As Moeser completed his dissertation—an analysis of Richmond's City Council—he decided to stay and said he watched the city evolve as his career unfolded.
As the senior fellow in the Bonner Center for Civic Engagement, Moeser works with faculty, staff, and students to research the Richmond region and involvement in the region. He also gives guest lectures and bus tours of Richmond neighborhoods.
While there is much work to be done in bridging the gap between wealth and poverty in the city and its suburbs, he said he is pleased with Richmond's progress.
"We're much more forward-looking, far more welcoming and much more cosmopolitan than we were when I first got here," he said.