Left to right: Rev. Michael Dowd ’68, S’71, Paul Riccardi (Margaret’s husband), Margaret Dowd G’21, and Kathleen Doyle Dowd ’68

An Avocation

Kathleen Doyle and J. Michael Dowd were standing with the college choir in the choir loft at Central Moravian Church. It was their first Christmas Vespers service. “We will always remember the church growing darker, the gaslights flickering, and the organ beginning to swell,” says Kathleen. “Then the doors flew open, and more than 1,000 candles came flowing into the church. We ‘saw’ the light of Christmas coming into the sanctuary and the world.” Since married, Kathleen Doyle Dowd ’68 and J. Michael Dowd ’68, S’71 have attended Vespers for 57 consecutive years, and for more than 30, they have served candles.

“Our four years in the choir was the highlight of our Moravian experience. Our domestic and European tours representing Moravian opened the world to us, and we built friendships that have lasted to this day,” says Mike. “Choir with the Schantzes [director and organist Richard and Monica Schantz] taught us the importance of pursuing excellence and the joy of accomplishment. The choir was a community, and it taught us the importance of community and shared commitment. These were all lessons easily applied throughout our personal and professional lives.”

Kathleen was a teacher in the Easton Area School District. Mike was the president and CEO of the Two Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce and later the chief operating officer of the Children’s Home of Easton. Prior to entering the business world, Mike served as the pastor of Grace United Church of Christ in Easton, and he is currently the pastor of the 275-year-old First United Church of Christ in Easton. In 2009, Kathleen and Mike founded MKD Associates, a management consulting, training, communication, and public speaking firm.

Their love of community is felt at Moravian, as well. The Dowds support the alumni association, Blue & Grey Club, Moravian Scholarship Fund, Intern Scholarship Fund, and a variety of music programs. They helped organize every reunion for the Class of ’68, and they serve as ambassadors for the Day of Giving.

Kathleen served as a member of the alumni board, and Mike served as a member of the seminary board of trustees and the joint board of the college and seminary. He also participated on the selection teams for Moravian presidents Ervin J. Rokke and Christopher M. Thomforde. In 2002, Mike received the Medallion of Merit Award presented to an alumnus or alumna in recognition of his or her outstanding service to Moravian University or the alumni association.


Of course, they continue as candle bearers for the Vespers services and will spread the light for as long as they can.