NMH Magazine : Winter 2004

Chasing Moody's Dream

If NMH had a dime for every time “the Moody legacy” was invoked, the school would be rolling in silver. But what exactly is this legacy? Despite the legal-sounding phrase, there’s no document behind it. 

The Moody legacy is more fluid than that, gleaned from the vision of NMH’s founder and interpreted mightily over the passing decades. At times it’s been a lightning rod, at other times a touchstone. Invariably it means different things to different people.

What’s certain is that Moody believed passionately in Christian ideals and education, justice, and service to one’s community, providing education to those of little or no means, and enrolling students of all backgrounds.

The values that NMH aspires to are born of Moody’s legacy. As the school moves forward, its goal is to preserve and strengthen the elements listed below.

• Educating the head, hand, and heart
• Giving an educational opportunity to deserving young people who might not have it otherwise
• Enrolling a broad range of students from around the United States and the world 
• Focusing on the worth and dignity of each individual
• Teaching about religious traditions, spirituality, and how to wrestle with moral and ethical issues
• Teaching the value of manual labor and of contributing to one’s community 
• Fostering the ability to work with and understand people of many ethnicities and cultures and to travel comfortably as a citizen of the world
• Making a positive difference in the world