Honoring Prof. Judy Raggi-Moore
Digital Memory Book
Join us in celebrating Judy, her life’s work, her vision, and her unique touch on so many Emory students like you. If you’d like to submit your memories of the TRACE program and Judy, please visit our submission page.
To make donation in Judy’s honor, please visit our Make A Donation tab or go directly to our online payment page here.
Love of Learning, Love of Italy, and Vitality
Summer in Italy 2003: This trip was formative for so many reasons – my first travel abroad and experience of new language and culture. My first adventure, meeting new friends, and connecting in a more personal way with admired professors. Professor Raggi Moore’s love of learning, love of Italy, and vitality were inspiring. My time in Italy remains a highlight of my time at Emory. My summer in Italy is also where I first met my husband Dan – and for that I am forever grateful. – KC
Honor and Privilege
I had the honor and privilege of learning from Dr. Raggi Moore both in the classroom at Emory and the boundless classroom of Italy. From the moment I met Judy I knew she was special and had a limitless passion for teaching. Dr. Raggi Moore helped expand my mind from being more than a “science person.” She gave me the tools to further appreciate, analyze, think, and formulate opinions on artwork, architecture, and even the “story of a city”. Being a student in your class I realized that with every question asked, three more questions emerge and no study is truly complete. You are like an eternal torch spreading your flames of passion to us students, the unlit torches in need of light in a dark room. I truly thank you for motivating me to expand my potentials and thoughts. Although we do not have much direct communication, I always keep what I learned from Dr. Raggi Moore close to my heart. –Dennis
She Opened My Eyes
It’s been almost nine years since my trip to Italy with Judy and the team. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without her. She opened my eyes on how to see the world. Her love for people and culture has made me also fall in love with humanity and its diversity everywhere I have traveled in all continents. I’ve finished medical school and am working in humanitarian aid to create a better world for future generations to come. I wouldn’t be where I am without her igniting the fire. Thank you so much for being such a vital part of my professional journey! Best, Stephen
A Seed Had Been Planted
I was Judy’s student from 1999 to 2003, attending the summer trip to Italy in 2001. I actually encountered Judy during my very first week at Emory. She made a presentation to a group of freshmen in (I think) White Hall, and she just had rays of confidence around her. I was undecided about what language to take for the foreign language requirement. After that day, I knew I was taking Italian. I wasn’t a great Italian student, but I enjoyed the class and her energy, so I kept signing up for courses. A seed had been planted.
After college, my Italian skills atrophied from relative disuse. About a year ago, however, I decided to really try to tackle the language again, and I found that the roots that had grown in Judy’s class were still there, just dormant since graduation. I watered them with Duolingo, and then began downloading Italian news programs to listen to in the car. Now I can understand just about everything they’re discussing–especially when the female conduttrici are talking. I think that might be because my ear was first trained to Judy’s voice. In any case, this daily practice has made me think of her on a regular basis.
The trip to Italy has also put deep roots into my soul. I’m particularly glad that she introduced me to the jewel of Sicily. I’ve been back several times since the summer trip, always visiting Vulcano and a particular cannoli shop in Monreale that someone who seemed knowledgeable (Judy? Her mother? Our bus driver–whose name was Carlo, maybe? But since his slogan was “Le donne hanno sempre ragione,” I’ll give credit to one of the former) steered me to that summer. And I always visit the Galleria Regionale della Sicilia to see the Triumph of Death and the bust by Francesco Laurana. Her mother saw me lingering in there, the last student to leave, and procured for me a poster with the museum’s name on it. I still have it. That trip also began a friendship between me and Veronica, who had studied at Emory that year. We are still in touch today.
One last thing. When Judy would have us over at the end of the year at her fairytale house that I was in love with even before I knew it was hers, she would always insist that we eat the pasta while it was hot instead of waiting patiently for the second batch to come out so everyone could eat at the same time. This is now one of the laws of any table I eat at.
As you can see, the rays of sun that Judy produced nurtured the seeds she planted, and that little garden continues to bear fruit. I am grateful to her. – Neil
