Уильям Кэри присвоил почетную степень Джеймсу Муру за борьбу с наркоманией

William Carey University awards honorary doctorate to Hattiesburg community advocate James Moore HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WDAM) - William Carey University (WCU) is honoring Hattiesburg community advocate James Moore for his years of work supporting people in recovery and their families. Moore was recently awarded an honorary doctorate of public service from the university, a recognition he says highlights the efforts to change the way the community views addiction and to help families navigate the challenges that come with it. “Someone called up a few months ago and said that I had been nominated and would I consider accepting,” Moore recalled. “I said, is this the kind of joke? Who are you? Because normally the bicycle man in the community is not the one that gets an honorary doctorate.” For William Carey University, however, the recognition was no joke. The university said Moore has made significant contributions to the local community through his public service, particularly his work surrounding recovery and opioid addiction. Having somebody like Mr. Moore in the community who’s willing to embrace a cause and advance it forward makes our community better as a whole," WCU Provost Dr. Noal Cochran said. Moore’s advocacy work grew out of personal loss. He lost his son, Jeffrey, to an overdose in 2015. After his son’s death, Moore began learning as much as he could about addiction. “After the loss of Jeffrey, as a father, I did a lot of reading, just a lot of self-study to try to better understand what he went through and this disorder of addiction,” Moore said. “And I found so many things where I could have done better. Where if I had better knowledge, better understanding, we might have had a better outcome. And so, I began asking to speak in the local recovery centers. I especially like to speak to the families of people who are in treatment facilities to try to share with them some of the insights that I’ve gained the hard way after my son’s death.” His work eventually expanded to include bicycle recovery rides, Narcan advocacy and other efforts supporting people in recovery. Those who have worked alongside Moore say his influence extends well beyond Hattiesburg. “My first thought was, couldn’t come to a better person,” recovery minister David Sellers said. “Because when you think of a doctor, it’s someone who has put in the work, both for education-wise, for research, and then application. I’ve seen that in action, so much so that it doesn’t just impact Hattiesburg, but really across Forrest County, Perry County, the state of Mississippi.” For Moore, the honorary doctorate also represents a broader shift in how addiction is understood. He said he believes the recognition sends an important message about addiction and the people affected by it. “It recognized not just the work that I did, but it’s recognizing the work that so many people in this community are doing,” Moore said. “It’s an affirmation that we’re beginning to look at addiction as a disorder of the brain and not a moral failing or a character issue. And that was a really powerful statement coming from the institution, William Carey University.” Moore said he hopes the recognition opens more doors for him to continue his advocacy and help give people struggling with addiction a better chance at recovery. Want more WDAM 7 news in your inbox? Click here to subscribe to our newsletter. Copyright 2026 WDAM. All rights reserved.