MSCC Establishes Scholarship in Honor of Coach Grafton Moore

          Grafton MooreMid-South Community College has established the Grafton Moore Scholarship in honor of the contributions he has made to education, students, and his community.

            “Grafton Moore has spent most of his life helping young men and women become better people,” said Dr. Glen Fenter, MSCC President. “By establishing this scholarship, we are recognizing and acknowledging the tremendous positive impact he has had on this community and this region.”

            “His accomplishments as an athletic coach are many and varied, and he has stacks of trophies and awards to prove it. But his greatest contribution to the educational process is the long list of people he has guided toward successful lives.”

            Coach Moore said he is honored to be associated with the MSCC scholarship.

“I was just overwhelmed when I first heard about it. It caught me completely off guard. But I think it’s a great honor, and I certainly appreciate Dr. Fenter and the college for this recognition.”

“Any time we can help a student further his or her education, it’s a good thing. Education is more important than ever. This scholarship will allow us to help a person who truly needs help to attend college, and we will be looking for someone who really wants an education.”

West Memphis Superintendent Bill Kessinger said he couldn’t think of a more appropriate way to honor Moore’s lifelong efforts to encourage young people to excel on and off the field.

“If there’s anybody who is West Memphis High School, it’s Grafton Moore,” Kessinger said. “This scholarship is certainly a fitting tribute to someone who has meant so much to West Memphis.”

“He played football for me when I was a coach, and he was one of the hardest working young men I’ve ever been around. He’s as good at handling kids as anyone I’ve worked with, and he’s been a wonderful asset to our school and our community. He’s a top-notch individual with great character.”   

West Memphis High School Principal Jon Collins agreed.

“We are honored that MSCC recognizes the integrity and dedication of Coach Moore,” said. “He has spent a career impacting so many others around him. This is a great tribute to what he means to our community, and this will leave a lasting legacy in his name at West Memphis High School.”

Patterned after MSCC Principal’s Scholarships, the Grafton Moore Scholarship is awarded annually to a West Memphis High School student who demonstrates academic promise but who does not qualify for other academic award opportunities.

The Moore scholarship is a waiver of tuition for a minimum of 6 but no more than 15 hours which count toward a certificate or degree. Recipients must enroll as award-seeking students at MSCC no later than the fall term following their high school. Honorees are expected to maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0, and the award is renewable each semester the recipient earns a minimum 2.75 GPA with no dropped or failed courses that change the student’s enrollment status.

Ashley Humphrey, a 2012 WMHS graduate, received the first award and is enrolled at MSCC this semester as a full-time student. She began taking Advanced Manufacturing courses at the MSCC Technical Center while in high school and earned 12 hours of college credit before graduating from WMHS.

Moore retired at the end of the 2011-12 school year after more than three decades of service to the West Memphis School District. A 1964 graduate of West Memphis High, Moore also worked during his early teaching/coaching years at Helena, Marianna, and Earle.

Under Moore, the Blue Devil football team won nine conference championships and reached the state playoffs 16 times. West Memphis finished as the Class AAAA runner-up in 1982 and 1984 and advanced to the playoff semifinals in 1981, 1988, and 2000. Moore also coached Earle to the 1974 Class A state championship.

While at WMHS, he also served as Athletic Director and Dean of Students. Although most noted for his work with the Blue Devil football program, he coached a variety of sports for the school district.

To contribute to the Grafton Moore Scholarship at MSCC, please contact Patti Coleman at (870) 733-6764 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

The Mid-South Community College Foundation also offers direct on-line giving through the College’s website, www.midsouthcc.edu (click on Foundation icon or the MSCC Portal, MSCC Foundation, and Give Now).

The MSCC Foundation, Inc., is an independent charitable organization created to raise and oversee funds donated to MSCC in support of the college’s efforts to meet the needs of Crittenden County. It operates under a tax exempt 501(c)(3) status.