Sylvia Moseley

Where does one begin to write when documenting the continuing saga of a lifetime of service and achievement? It is important to begin at the beginning, with the places and events that shaped a remarkable woman, Sylvia Moseley.

Sylvia was born in Seaside, Oregon and was raised in the quiet coastal community of Warrenton. The youngest of four children, Sylvia grew up on a small farm and learned the values of self-sufficiency, hard work, responsibility, and respect in a family that stressed the importance of these qualities.  

At a time when young women often married after high school and raised a family, Sylvia Moseley left Warrenton for Portland and fresh opportunities. Always independent, she started a new career with Portland State University in 1962. She has spent most of her adult life as a valued member of the university and as an ardent PSU supporter.

In an era before Title 9, Sylvia participated in women’s sports and has continued to enjoy athletics. In 1978, Sylvia won the Most Valuable Player trophy in the Portland City League Summer women’s slow pitch softball. Sylvia continues her lifetime participation in sports as a fine golfer, boater, and bowler. She is an enthusiastic supporter of many of Portland State University’s athletic programs and one of the most vigorous supporters of the university football, basketball, and softball teams. 

The list of Sylvia’s achievements is impressive and wide-reaching. These are some of her many accomplishments and awards: 1978 to 1980, served on and chaired the Portland State University Management Service Committee; 1978 to 1980, helped plan the new School of Business Administration building; 1980, co-authored a book with Dr. Irene Place, Women in Management, published by VGM Career Horizons, a division of National Textbook Company; 1981, received the Portland State University Exemplary Service Award, presented to honor civil service and management service employees of the university; 1992, received the title “Honorary Professor Emerita” given by Portland State University president, Judith Ramaley for her service to the university—as far as can be determined, Sylvia Moseley is the only person to receive this honored designation from the university; 2004, received the “Friend of Athletics Award” at the PSU Salutes event; 2004, received the Retired Associates of Portland State University “Staff Service Award”; 2006, Jerry and Elinore Nudelman named the Portland State University women’s basketball locker room remodel after Sylvia Moseley and Elinore Nudelman; and 2005 to 2007, chaired the Procurement Committee and worked on the Portland State University Viking Golf Classic, an important fund-raising endeavor to benefit women’s sports at the university.

The achievements and awards catalogued above give only a glimpse of a woman who exemplifies a life devoted to service, not only to Portland State University, but to her family, friends, and community. It says nothing of Sylvia Moseley’s years of volunteer work for Loaves and Fishes, or of her efforts on countless fund-raising events for PSU and many other endeavors that benefit our wider community. 

This life of service and devotion extends to her family and friends. Sylvia is the first to drop off a casserole when a friend is ill, she is the woman who bakes dozens of cookies for the basketball team, and the one who never forgets a friend’s anniversary or birthday. Sylvia Moseley is a natural bon vivant whose warmth, vibrancy, generosity, and sense of humor endear her to her friends and family. The Anderson family consider themselves fortunate to count Sylvia as a dear friend and we are delighted to honor her on the Walk of Heroines.

More than four hundred years ago William Shakespeare penned a poem titled “Silvia” that could certainly be an ode to our present-day Sylvia. The entire poem lovingly describes our Sylvia, but the three final lines are especially apropos: “She excels each mortal thing / Upon the dull earth dwelling: / To her let us garlands bring.” 

Written by the Anderson Family