From Shelley Moats Davis:

Monday, April 22, 2002
Notice: Dated Material - April 22, 2002
WVU’s Davis College to remember alumnus who died in fire

The family of a West Virginia University alumnus who died in a tragic Pennsylvania fire last year
will make a donation to the Division of Family and Consumer Sciences at WVU’s Davis College
during a 4:15 p.m. ceremony Tuesday, April 23, in the lobby of Percival Hall.
Eric Moats earned a degree in interior design from WVU in 1998, graduating cum laude. He was working
as a designer at Franklin Interiors in Pittsburgh when fire struck his apartment building in nearby
Sharpsburg in January 2001.
Eric’s parents, Robert and Jean Moats of Westover, will present two chromolithographic prints
to WVU’s interior design program during a ceremony in which family, friends and members of the
Davis College will gather to remember Eric. The family has also donated funds to support the purchase
of library reference materials for the program.
Robert Moats described his son as an active student with a variety of interests. He was a member of
the Pride of West Virginia, WVU’s marching band, Kappa Kappa Psi fraternity and Golden Key
Honor Society. An Eagle Scout, Eric was training to become an assistant scoutmaster with the Boy
Scouts. 
The Moats family has a long association with WVU. Robert is an electronic technician at WVU’s
Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, and Jean works part-time at the Barnes and Noble Bookstore on
WVU’s Downtown Campus. Eric’s brother, Robert, earned his bachelor’s degree from
WVU and is currently an assistant professor of molecular physiology at North Florida University;
sister, Lori Ann, earned a degree from WVU’s College of Creative Arts and currently works as a
graphic designer for Miller Associates in Morgantown.
The Moats’ gift was made to the Davis College through the WVU Foundation, a private
non-private corporation, which is the designated agency to receive and administer gifts for the
benefit of WVU and its affiliated organizations. The Foundation is in the midst of its Building
Greatness Campaign: West Virginia University, a $250 million fundraising effort being conducted by
the Foundation on behalf of the University.
dw/4/22/02
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