Visit by Shelby and Gale Davis
The Lewis & Clark community joined together on October 12, 2009 to recognize and honor Shelby and Gale Davis and our thirty-one Davis United World College Scholars from around the world. It was a day of celebration and inspiration.
Shelby and Gale Davis established and funded the Davis United World College (UWC) Scholars Program in 2001, promising to provide grants of $10,000 or $20,000 per
A Warm Reception
The Scholars, most of whom were meeting the Davises for the first time, were
President Atkinson Welcomes Our Guests
Atkinson cited the Davis UWC Scholars as models in the arts of international and intercultural exchange, emphasizing, “They arrive at L&C as experts in the art of reaching out across linguistic, racial, cultural, class, and national lines. They become models for others—including both US nationals and international students—in how to communicate, learn and grow in a multicultural setting. They have much to teach the rest of us too—faculty and
Atkinson ended her remarks by thanking the Davis UWC Scholars. “We thank you for modeling so well for us what it means to become global citizens, for going beyond our comfort zones, for exercising our curiosity, for doing the challenging and rewarding work of crossing boundaries and learning with and from people whose backgrounds and experiences are distant from our own.”
Impact of the Davis UWC Scholars Program on L&C
Greg Caldwell, Associate Dean of Students, spoke about the impact that the Davis UWC Scholars Program has had on Lewis & Clark. He pointed out that the thirty-one Davis UWC Scholars helped the College attain a 15-year high in international student enrollment and that over one third of all degree-seeking international students this year are Davis UWC Scholars. “An unexpected benefit of the Davis UWC Scholars
The New Scholars Introduce Themselves
Following the opening comments, the ten new Davis UWC Scholars stood before the
The Scholars and Their Friends Speak
Five upperclassmen volunteered to speak at the reception including two Davis UWC Scholars and three US students who have been personally impacted by the program.
Risa Sacomani, a sophomore from St. Charles, Illinois, who is majoring in French Studies, began with an amusing story about the mistaken stereotypes she carried with
Ramy Srour, a Davis UWC Scholar from Italy who studied at Red Cross Nordic UWC in Norway, spoke of his experiences at Lewis & Clark and gave some sage advice to
Megan Percell a sophomore from Los Angeles, California talked about her expectations for college. I had all of these ideas of what it would be like to be in
Karen “Kemi” Coutinho, a sophomore Davis UWC Scholar from Uganda who studied at Kamhlaba UWC of Southern Africa, used her theatre and stage experience to entertain the crowd with humorous stories about accents and her work in Lewis &
Kemi emphasized that while she is an international student, she doesn’t feel any differently that other students. “I am included in everything and I don’t feel left out or particularly different in any way.” She also reminded her fellow Davis UWC Scholars that they play an important role in educating US students about other cultures, other countries, and other ways of looking at the world.”
Molly Hetz, a junior sociology/anthropology major from Berkeley, California, was the final student to address the crowd. Molly explained that when she first applied to
Clark, she had hoped to live in Akin Hall, Lewis & Clark’s multicultural theme community. Unfortunately, her application for Akin was turned down and she was a bit upset. But, she didn’t let the rejection get her down. She went out of her way to make lots of friends with the international students and TCKs (Third Culture Kids) in Akin. Those connections led her to befriend many of the Davis UWC Scholars from Africa. She has been so moved by the stories and experiences of the students who studied at Kamhlaba UWC of Southern Africa that she says emphatically, “When I have children they are going to go to the Kamhlaba UWC. You may think I am kidding, but it is the truth.”
Shelby Davis Shares His Thoughts
Shelby Davis, founder of the Davis United World College Scholars Program, spoke
Davis shared some thoughts on how he became involved with the Davis UWC Scholars Program and philanthropy. “My family’s philosophy has long been to look at life in periods of 30 years. We are to spend the first 30 years ”˜learning,’ the second 30 years ”˜earning,’ and the next 30 years ”˜returning.’ With the Davis UWC Scholars Program, I am involved in the ”˜returning’ phase,” Davis said.
Impact of the Visit
For a week following the reception, President Atkinson and Associate Dean of Students Greg Caldwell received unsolicited emails about the event. A faculty member wrote, “What a first-class event that presented a wonderful portrait of Lewis & Clark to the Davises and to the Lewis & Clark community in general. I know everyone came away with a much better appreciation for our Davis UWC Scholars and all they bring to the community.” A staff member stated, “The speakers were amazing”¦such variety, but all supporting the ideals and goals we would like to see exemplified in every person all around the world.”
With regard to the generosity of the Davises, a staff member stated, “I cannot begin to imagine what it mus
International Students and Scholars (ISS) is located in Fowler Student Center on the Undergraduate Campus.
MSC: 192
email iso@lclark.edu
voice 503-768-7305
fax 503-768-7301
Associate Dean of Students and Director Brian White
International Students and Scholars (ISS)
Lewis & Clark
615 S. Palatine Hill Road
Portland OR 97219