Cal State Fullerton Alumnus Receives Horatio Alger Award

Joseph R. Moderow Honored For Overcoming Adversity, Achieving Success

April 29, 2008

By Gail Matsunaga

Cal State Fullerton alumnus Joseph R. Moderow (B.A. economics '70), a retired senior vice president, general counsel and board member for UPS, was recently presented the 2008 Horatio Alger Award and inducted as a lifetime member of the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans during ceremonies in Washington, D.C.

The honor is bestowed upon individuals who have overcome adversity to achieve great successes through the American free enterprise system.

"I've known Joe for five years since he joined the dean's advisory board," said Anil Puri, dean of the College of Business and Economics. "He has been an extraordinary giving alumnus, willing to volunteer his time and his expertise in support of the college and the university. Joe has overcome unusual hardships in his life to reach the pinnacle of success, serving as chief counsel and board member of UPS."

Moderow was born in Kenosha, Wis., in 1948. On his first birthday, he was stricken with polio, but recovered with few side effects. During his childhood, Moderow's father created constant tension in the home, telling his son he would never amount to anything. When Moderow was 16, his father stopped speaking to him, a situation that continued for the remainder of his father's life. In spite of it all, and a determination to amount to something, Moderow became the first in his family to attend college.

He began his 35-year UPS career as a sorter and unloader while attending Cal State Fullerton. In 1970, Moderow began a six-year stint in the Army National Guard while attending law school at night. He was promoted to a supervisor at UPS and later served as Arizona district industrial engineering manager.

During the first two years of the Reagan administration, Moderow was appointed a presidential exchange executive for the U.S. Department of Labor. He later headed the operations team during the startup of international air service. In 1986, Moderow became legal group manager and was elected corporate secretary and, soon after, assumed additional responsibilities for public affairs and public relations. He was a member of the UPS Board of Directors from 1988-2004.

Responding to the award and reflecting on his life, Moderow said, "My path seems to have been not only unusually challenged, but also incredibly blessed. If there's one thing that all I've been through has taught me, it is that a person's life cannot be defined in terms of accomplishments, but by the character forged by both the blessings and adversity of living."

Moderow and his wife, Karen, maintain a home in Dana Point. The couple assist young people through education, training and health initiatives. Moderow serves on the boards of the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Shepherd Hospital, the Brain Injury Resource Foundation and the Haggai Leadership Institute. He is a trustee of the U.S. Supreme Court Historical Society, in addition to serving on the Mihaylo College of Business and Economics Dean's Advisory Board and Capital Campaign Cabinet at his alma mater.

"As we entered into our fundraising campaign to construct a new business building, Joe has been and continues to be there to provide advice and support to help the college provide a first-rate business program that not only serves our students but also enhances the connections Cal State Fullerton has with the business community," Puri said.

Moderow is the second Titan alumnus to receive the Horatio Alger Award. Terry Giles (B.A. speech communications '70), a 1998 Vision & Visionaries honoree, is a 1994 recipient.