Get to Know Our Lighting theWay Subcommittee Chairs

Rev. Bruce M. Weaknecht ’77, S’81, P’03, P’04, P’11 Chair, Seminary Alumni Subcommittee

How do you believe Lighting the Way will help our students, their future, and the next generation?

Upgrading technology resources and modernizing the HUB shows that Moravian prepares for the future.

What are you most excited to see Lighting the Way make possible for Moravian? The scholarship funds will help more students follow their education dreams.

Larisa Fava ’21, S’26 Chair, Students Subcommittee

What is your personal motto? Serve Jesus where he leads me.

How do you spend your free time? Walking on the beach or playing with grandchildren.

Share your favorite memory from Moravian. The acceptance and encouragement from my classmates in both class time and social gatherings.

What advice would you give to a current student?

For seminary students to cultivate their daily prayer life.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

Most people are surprised to learn I was born in Kharkiv, Ukraine, and adopted on my first birthday by my parents.

Who is your favorite musician/band/ performer and why?

I have so many favorites, but at this moment I have been really rocking out to the band AJR. I love the energy, danceability, and message that their songs share.

What is/was your favorite meal in the dining hall?

I always looked forward to cheeseburger quesadilla night, and since graduating, I have made it at home a few times to relive the “good ol’ days” in the dining hall.

What advice would you give to a current student?

Do not be afraid to ask the questions you have in class. Nine times out of 10 you are not the only person in the room with that question.

Why is it important for you to serve/ volunteer?

I would not have been able to call Moravian home without the help of our supporters, so I was excited and honored to join this subcommittee to help allow for many more students to be able to call Moravian home for years to come.

What are you most excited to see Lighting the Way make possible for Moravian?

I am excited to see Lighting the Way allow for more students to find new opportunities to grow academically here at Moravian in preparation for their lives beyond the Greyhound Pack.

On April 22, Dr. Spencer, President Grigsby, and Neil Wetzel, EdD, professor and chair of the music department, toured the Keithley & Emerald Spencer Recording Studio, which Dr. Spencer named in honor of her parents. It is currently under construction and will provide students in Moravian’s music audio program the space and technology to practice digital audio recording, design, and production, broadening their skill set for future careers.

Later that afternoon, Moravian University Dance Company faculty and students, community members, and Dr. Spencer’s family and friends gathered to dedicate the Emerald Spencer Dance Studio, also named after Dr. Spencer’s mother. President Grigsby and Lisa Busfield, artistic director of the dance program, expressed their gratitude to Dr. Spencer for her service and leadership in expanding the dance studio and providing a dedicated space for tap dance instruction and a sports medicine room for injury treatment and rehabilitation. The ceremony ended with a tap dance performance and reception. Attendees were then welcome to attend the company’s annual performance.

For a full profile on Dr. Honnie Spencer and the inspiration for her generosity, visit moravian.edu/lightingtheway/ spencer-gift-2023