Charles David Moody Sr., emeritus vice provost and emeritus faculty member at the University of Michigan, died March 2 at the age of 86.
Moody was born Aug. 30, 1932, in East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana. His mother, Rosetta, came from Woodeville, Mississippi, and his father, James N. Moody, came from Belize. Moody attended Scott Street and Perkins Elementary Schools, attended McKinley High School and graduated from Southern University Lab High School in 1950. Earning his Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from Central State University in 1954, Moody received a commission in the United States Army.
After basic training, he married Christella Parks, also an educator and Central State graduate. In 1961, Moody received his Master of Science Education degree from Chicago Teachers College. He received his Ph.D. in educational administration from Northwestern University in 1971.
From 1959-70, he worked in several Illinois school districts as a science and social studies teacher and administrator, and from 1968-70, superintendent of schools in Harvey, Illinois. He joined U-M in 1970 as director of the federally funded Program for Educational Opportunity (PEO) and lecturer in education. He was promoted to assistant professor in 1971, associate professor in 1975, and professor in 1980.
Moody chaired the school’s Division of Educational Specialists from 1973-77. He was the university’s first vice provost for minority affairs at U-M. He served in this post until 1993, when he became executive director of South African Initiatives. He also directed the Project for Fair Administration of Student Discipline from 1975-80 and the Center for Sex Equity in Schools from 1981-87.
When he retired from the university in 1996, he became vice provost emeritus and professor emeritus.
During his 35 years in the field, Moody earned a national reputation as founder of the National Alliance of Black School Educators. His 1970 dissertation on black superintendents resulted in the formation of the National Alliance of Black School Educators, (NABSE.) Today, NABSE has 6,000 members and 125 affiliates across the United States. Moody is honored as NABSE founder, and as a distinguished graduate of Central State University and Northwestern University.
On April 1, 2019, Moody will be honored by LSA with the naming of the Charles D. Moody Collegiate Professorship in Psychology. The holder of the chair is Robert Sellers, a former student and holder of Moody’s former position. Sellers will present the inaugural lecture at 4 p.m. April 1 on the 10th floor of Weiser Hall. A public reception will follow the talk.
Moody is survived by his wife, Christella; and three sons, Charles David Jr., Corey and Cameron. He is remembered as an esteemed educator, dedicated mentor and inspirational role model, with an infectious sense of humor. We mourn the loss of this amazing scholar, and our thoughts are with his family and friends as they celebrate his life and many accomplishments.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made payable to the Delta Research and Educational Foundation with Ann Arbor Alumnae Chapter in the memo line. Please mail donations to Christella Moody at 4574 Fiore Bella Blvd., Las Vegas, Nevada, 89135.
— Submitted by Charles G. Ransom, University of Michigan Library
