Jodi Penn Rives
Business Development Officer
We all have people who have been instrumental in our lives—those who have been “in our corner,” so to speak. Early on, it’s a parent, a beloved teacher, a choir leader, or a coach who gently nurtures and guides us. As we approach adulthood, it might be a college professor, a colleague, or maybe, like me, you picked out someone who was successful and decided they’d make an excellent role model.
If I took the time to give a shoutout to all the people who have inspired and educated me, the list would be incredibly long, and I’m deeply thankful for the influence of others in my life.
The Women’s History Month theme of educating and inspiring generations definitely rings true in my journey. A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to hear the story of another woman who has educated and inspired people for years.
Karen Moore, the wife of a colleague, was recently recognized at Bossier Parish Community College for establishing the Karen S. Moore Endowed Scholarship for first-generation students. What an honor it was for me to hear about Karen’s influence—not just on her students, but on other faculty members and the community as well.
Pat Wyatt, professor at BPCC, acknowledged Karen as an innovator due to her work in distance education in the 1990s. Today, we take online courses for granted but Wyatt shared that “Karen Moore had a chalkboard, minimal technology, and a ton of talent. She filmed what would have been her classroom lecture, demonstrating how to work complex math problems on the board, with no ability to edit.” Her lectures were viewed over the local cable network and duplicated on VHS tapes which made her a pioneer in online education.
Moore was recognized for her leadership as chair of the math department. It was noted that Moore’s teachers had a “spark” and brought new ideas and discussions to the table. We all remember that one college professor you stood in line to see—it didn’t matter how long the wait was. You wanted them to either approve or change your schedule. Wyatt said, “Karen Moore had the secret sauce because when it came to registration, students lined the hall to seek her advice and help them map out their college careers.”
The real test of her leadership came when Moore was chair. The governing board changed numerous times during this tumultuous period, when politics overpowered education, and universities were not working together. Karen Moore negotiated one-on-one with other department chairs across the state to provide structure for math classes and course numbers so they could be easily transferred to other universities. This effort put BPCC—previously unknown and often overlooked—on the map. Suddenly, math was well-respected across north Louisiana.
Wyatt shared that Karen Moore built community. It didn’t matter if you were a new student or a new teacher—she made you feel at home. “Whether you were an old-timer with a problem or a student who had long since moved on to a career, everyone who came back with a question wanted to know where Karen Moore’s office was located.”
You can see how Karen Moore poured her life into others, and it wasn’t just at work. She served the community for twenty years as Mrs. Claus at the city’s Christmas pageant, where huge crowds waited in line to see Santa Claus. In her gentle way, she made sure that every child knew the meaning of Christmas.
One of the most meaningful things shared that day was that Moore was a role model and a true teacher—not just to students, but to all. Wyatt stated, “Moore accepted students as they were and taught me volumes about first-generation students.” It’s fitting that Moore’s scholarship goes to first-generation students. She certainly inspired and educated me.
In 2025, I decided that I wanted to be more intentional with my time and relationships, especially with those who have helped move my life forward. I recently shared lunch with two of my college professors. Amidst the laughs and stories, I was reminded once again that they were more than educators—they encouraged and inspired me along the way (and still do).
Take a moment today to acknowledge someone who has made a difference in your life. Whether it’s a quick message, a handwritten note, or a simple “thank you,” your words could mean more than you realize. Let’s continue the cycle of inspiration—because gratitude has the power to uplift us all.
