Distinguished alumni: Mayor Brenda F. Moore

Delta College / Delta College Foundation / Journeys / Spring 2023 / Distinguished alumni: Mayor Brenda F. Moore

Saginaw Mayor Brenda F. Moore received the 2023 Delta College Distinguished Alumni Award presented during the President’s Circle Dinner in recognition of her heart for service.

Moore, a 1987 graduate of Delta College, where she received an associate degree in liberal arts, was elected mayor by Saginaw City Council in 2020 and unanimously reelected in 2022. Prior, she was elected to City Council
in 2013 and became involved with the Michigan Municipal League.

Over time she served as president of the board of trustees for the Michigan Municipal League, second vice president for the Michigan Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials, and president of the Elected Officials Academy and the Municipal Finance Committee. Moore is also a City County School Liaison Committee member and hopes to positively impact Saginaw’s youth through her position on City Council.

Q: What does it mean for you to receive this award?

Moore: It’s an honor and I’m humbled. I didn't get into this for the accolades. I got into this because I want to make a difference in my seat. I'm excited, my family's excited and the community is excited.

Q: You graduated from Delta in 1987. How did your time here as a student prepare you for what you’re doing now?

Moore: I took a lot of public speaking classes. It helped me out because I always wanted to be a comedian. Taking those classes prepared me – never knowing that this would be the ultimate outcome. I love what I'm doing. It's not a job, like everybody thinks. It's a labor
of love.

Q: You were born and raised in Saginaw. Where did your love for community start?

Moore: It started at home. My parents were educated people – my dad was an insurance agent and my mom was a testing and evaluation specialist. Our house has always been the house in the neighborhood where everybody comes over. My mom’s favorite saying was, “You hungry? Come on, let me feed you!”

Q: If you could talk to your younger self, who was graduating in 1987, what would you tell her?

Moore: I would tell her to do what you think is best.
Love what you do and give it 100 percent. Being educated on what you're talking about ensures you're
on point because the people listen.

Q: With your love of service and your role as mayor, when you imagine Saginaw’s future, what does that look like?

Moore: It looks like the downtown area comes back to life. To repopulate, rebirth, build houses and become a city of love. We’ve demonstrated that. I want everyone to know who their mayor is. It’s important to know who you voted for. That’s why I try to stay visible. I’m everywhere. Saginaw is my home.

Dinner honors supporters, donors and alumni

The President's Circle Dinner, organized by the Delta College Foundation, took place on May 10 at Apple Mountain in Freeland to express gratitude to its supporters and donors.

Hosted by the Delta College Foundation Chair Herb Spence and President Dr. Mike Gavin, the dinner celebrated the success of the college and the achievements of recent graduates Cherie L. Long and Tessa A. Pettis.

Long, a recipient of the Social Science Award expressed gratitude to the donors who "make it possible" for students to excel. Pettis, a recipient of the Health Sciences Award, said what makes Delta different is the professors who "care and are there for you every step of the way."

This year's recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award was Mayor Brenda Moore of Saginaw in recognition of her service, career distinction and professional achievement. A 1987 Delta graduate, Moore called Delta her "anchor" and acknowledged the impact of the late Willie E. Thompson, former vice president of Delta College Student and Educational Services, throughout her academic journey.

"I'm thankful. I'm grateful," Moore said. "Delta taught me early on that the sky is the limit."