2011 Medallion of Merit

Betty Adams Roach '43

The Medallion of Merit is awarded to an alumna or alumnus in recognition of outstanding service to Moravian College or the Alumni Association. The Alumni Association is proud to present its 2011 Medallion of Merit to Betty Adams Roach '43, in deep appreciation of her outstanding dedication and commitment to Moravian.

Betty is a true inspiration to other alumni who give their time and energy to Moravian, not for just what she has done, but for how she has done it. Betty's enthusiasm is infectious, and she has a special spark that distinguishes her service to Moravian. Betty Adams Roach graduated from Moravian College for Women in 1943 with an English and journalism degree. After graduation she worked at the city newspaper, (the former Bethlehem Globe-Times), and then as a copywriter and director of continuity at radio station WEST in Easton.

Betty married Jack Roach and they have three children. Later she enrolled in the graduate program at the University of Pittsburgh and completed work for her M.A. at Fairleigh Dickinson University. After more than twenty years of teaching at Montclair (NJ) High School, Betty retired, and she and Jack moved to Bethlehem where she tutored homebound and private students for over twenty years. Betty reconnected with Moravian through her participation on committees, by becoming a member of the Alumni board, and writing feature articles for the Moravian College Magazine. She has also represented her class in the inaugural procession of two presidents.

Betty has served as an advisor to the Student Alumni Association and has conducted tours of the Women's College Campus. She was an Alumni Admissions representative, coordinated lunches with classmates, was a member of on the Founder's Day committee, and served as the Reunion Committee Chair for several of her class reunions. As a member of the Women's History committee, she conducted interviews of other alumnae.

Betty has served as a steward for the college in various capacities, including Reunion Fund chair and phonathon volunteer. For several consecutive years, she was the phonathon's most effective volunteer, in terms of contacts and money contributed to the College. She has also taken the time to write many thank you notes to donors.

Betty's contributions to the College are numerous and far-reaching but her love for her alma mater, which she has passed on to so many alumni, students, and the faculty and staff, is perhaps her greatest gift to Moravian.