By Janell J. Lewis Argus Managing Editor Enter to learn. Depart to serve. This is the mission statement of Winston-Salem State University, and Moses “Moe” A. Lucas is a shining example of a graduate who has lived up to this code of honor. Lucas, a graduate of the Teacher’s College, the predecessor of WSSU, recently retired as youth director at the Winston Lake Family YMCA on Waterworks Road. “My life has always been about working with young people,” he said. “I call them my children because they are.” This year the YMCA honored Lucas by naming its gymnasium after him. The gym was dedicated during Black History Month on the same day that a mural was unveiled depicting the YMCA’s many years of service to the community. And, although he is officially retired, Lucas still helps out at the Winston Lake “Y” as a night supervisor. A native of east Winston-Salem, Lucas began his undergraduate studies at North Carolina A&T State University. However, he was drafted into the Army in the late 1940’s. He said the soldiers he met while in active duty were the reason he decided to return to school after 21?2 years of service. “They inspired me to go back … because I met some really intelligent people,” he said. He returned to college, but not N.C. A&T State. Instead, he decided to return to WSSU and major in education. While at WSSU, Lucas founded the first chapter of the fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi. He was one of the three founders of the Delta Chi chapter at WSSU in 1960, along with Micky Robinson and Steward Miller. Lucas praised the instructors who taught him at WSSU. “We had a lot of wonderful instructors who were willing to help the students. I enjoyed every moment over there [WSSU]” he said. Since graduating from WSSU, Lucas has held different jobs, including Boy Scout master. However, his most fulfilling work has been working at the ‘Y.’ He recalled that when he began working at the “Y” in 1954, it was exclusively for boys. He added that more than 20 of the young men he has mentored over the years are now ministers in the area. Lucas said he was glad when the “Y” began to accept girls in 1977 because he wanted to work with all children. He also noted that he organized a band with majorettes and Boss drummers. In fact, the group will celebrate its 50th anniversary in December. Lucas believes that the “Y” honored him because of “my dedication and leadership to the community” and because he listens. “In order to learn, you have to listen,” he said, adding that being a good listener is a trait that more people should aspire to possess. Indeed, he believes that he has learned as much from children as they have learned from him. “They [the children] have become my mentors,” he said.