“I’m trying to stimulate leaders of the future to make a difference through the grounding in education that I’m helping to give them. When I started my business career, I took my own history lesson from Princeton: I learned how leaders make a difference, in their countries, in their centuries.
So I invested in leaders, and that investment helped me to be successful. … I'm looking to invest again in leaders of the future.
“Dartmouth has benefited greatly from its partnership with the Davis United World College Scholars Program, and the results for the Class of 2011 clearly demonstrate our success in bringing greater international diversity to our community. Applications from students at UWC campuses increased by 52%, with 99 students applying for first-year admission. The class of 2011 includes a record number of Davis Scholars (35) representing eight of the UWC campuses. We look forward to our continued partnership with the Davis Program and the continued strengthening of our international community.
“The new president of the International Student Organization (ISO) is a Davis United World College Scholar. The United Black Association has elected a Davis United World Scholar as its president. The 2006-07 president of the Arab Student Association was a Davis United World Scholar. That same scholar organized a “Standup for Peace” comedy show, bringing two comedians, a Palestinian and a Jew, who talked about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and tried to find peace through comedy. Last year’s “International Week” earned the distinction “best program of the year.” Several of our Davis United World College Scholars have been featured speakers at events sponsored by Students Educating Students. Topics have ranged from “Situation in Darfur,” to “Life in the Russian Military.” Lake Forest College now has a chapter of Students Taking Action Now, Darfur (STAND). There are now 19 Davis United World College Scholars enrolled at Lake Forest. One senior, majoring in mathematics and comparative urban studies as an Independent Scholar, is currently away this semester, traveling around the world in the International Honors Program, visiting and studying in New York City, Buenos Aires, Bangalore, Beijing, and Shanghai. What these young men and women bring to the college is, in their vernacular, “awesome.” We are forever indebted to Mr. and Mrs. Shelby Davis for their foresight and commitment and for giving us the opportunity and the challenge to be part of this exciting program.
“Internationalization must be a priority across the institution, and the efforts and projects currently underway at College of the Atlantic seem to indicate that this objective is indeed a strong priority for the institution as a whole. In the spring of 2007, Patty and Howard Lamson of Earlham College visited COA as external evaluators of the work we have done to internationalize the campus through the Title VI grant. In their report, they comment, “Having reached another level of international education, COA wants to continue to integrate all aspects of its curriculum, its campus residencies, and its dramatically growing numbers of international students into an organic whole in which the pieces support and reinforce one another.” They conclude, “Our sense is that COA is now international to the core, and they are small enough to stay closely in touch with one another as they build new opportunities.” The college has experienced a dramatic change in outlook in a relatively short period of time, and we seem to be currently in a dynamic phase where we have dedicated resources to continue to develop new programs and improve upon existing programs in both the curriculum and co-curriculum.
“Wheaton College incorporates a web of connections across disciplines, across intercultural and experiential learning, and across lines of difference to ensure that our students develop the analytical skills, multiple literacies, and habits of mind and character to be effective in a diverse world. The Davis United World College Scholars Program brings us dynamic students who are agents of change. Their willingness to build on their current and prior experiences offers first-hand connections to engage the entire Wheaton community in a wider worldview.
““Best practices” are emerging in an organic and collaborative manner. The UWC students have created an informal mentor and support system amongst themselves. They do not have an official “club” (by their own choosing), but recognize that they are likely to make a difference in interesting and effective ways when they work together. The students are (and in their modest but confident way they know they are) outstanding leaders who contribute to the Carleton community their energy, world views, talents, and vision for a global world.
“I wouldn’t want to try to imagine our campus without Davis United World College Scholars. They are an essential part of our emphasis — reflected in our new comprehensive, long-range strategic plan — on internationalizing our campus and curriculum. We deeply value the different perspectives they bring, and we are confident that they benefit from the perspective they gain from their experience at Washington and Lee.
“Having matriculated at Colby by the dozens since the inception of the program, numerous Davis UWC Scholars have benefited from a world-class education, while helping to place Colby among an elite class of truly international colleges and universities. The impact of these bright, interesting, and diverse students has been transformative.
“Perhaps more than any other contemporary development, globalism is shaping our world to an unprecedented extent. With regard to the future, the effects will be, quite literally, unimaginable. For this reason, the Davis UWC Scholars Program is the perfect initiative for our times. We have been able to enroll a cohort of extremely talented UWC graduates who are achieving great success at Skidmore College. These students, and the changes we have made in support of the broad goals of the program, are helping Skidmore provide an environment of internationalism within which all of our students can best prepare for the challenges of the 21st century.
“A liberal arts education is a considerable investment, but it is one that reaps returns for a lifetime. The generous scholarship support you provide makes an immense difference in the lives of each Davis United World College Scholar — as well as the rest of the Colorado College community, who benefit from their unique perspectives both in and out of the classroom.
“Vassar College is very grateful to be able to enroll a growing number of Davis United World College Scholars. These fine students are leaders on our campus, demonstrating the value of intercultural education. They are forming lifelong friendships and personal relationships that will promote trust and understanding far into the future. As we continue to strengthen the College’s global connections, we will look to the lessons learned from the Davis United World College Scholars Program.
“The UWC students at Amherst College embody the leadership qualities we strive to cultivate in our student body: a global perspective, a fierce interest in the issues of the day, and an abiding commitment to be engaged in and strengthen the communities in which they reside. As the director of the newly established Center for Community Engagement at Amherst, I have already sought out the involvement of these students in our programs as student leaders and role models.
“At St. Lawrence University, we continue to marvel at the influence of our Davis UWC Scholars. Our campus, which is already heavily committed to diversity, international education, and social and multicultural justice, still has much to learn from these students who model compassion, justice, and respect in all that they do. As they make their way at St. Lawrence, their unending spark and vivacity are both inspiring and contagious....whether they are speaking about their experiences at their UWCs, in their home countries, or their acts of kindness and giving, we know we are in the presence of greatness in the making. I am confident that the majority of these students will go on to make a significant difference in the communities in which they choose to live, work, and study, and that very probably, many of them will make global ripples.
“Davis UWC Scholars arrive at Tufts with an almost fearless ability to navigate cultural complexities, enriching the educational experience for all our students. Our campus benefits enormously not only from their individual perspectives but also from their connections to the global community of Davis Scholars. Even at an institution with a robust tradition of international engagement, these remarkable young people stand out as leaders now and for the future.
“To succeed in the 21st century — which means to be engaged in the world in a way that enables alumni to make a difference, to gain a sense of achievement, and to be true to themselves — Middlebury students must be multicultural, multinational, and multi-operational in how they think. The Davis UWC Scholars Program at Middlebury directly answers this challenge and validates the college’s top two priorities: ensuring access and opportunity through adequate financial aid, and fostering a diverse, international learning environment through globally focused recruitment, programming, and curricula.
“To succeed in the 21st century — which means to be engaged in the world in a way that enables alumni to make a difference, to gain a sense of achievement, and to be true to themselves — Middlebury students must be multicultural, multinational, and multi-operational in how they think. The Davis UWC Scholars Program at Middlebury directly answers this challenge and validates the college’s top two priorities: ensuring access and opportunity through adequate financial aid, and fostering a diverse, international learning environment through globally focused recruitment, programming, and curricula.
“I do not overstate when I say that the Davis United World College Scholars Program may be the most important philanthropic effort currently underway to support higher education in America and, in particular, to strengthen relations between the United States and various countries and cultures around the globe. The underlying idea is powerful and elegant in its simplicity: bring together on American college campuses students from varying national, economic, and ethnic backgrounds, united by their shared passion for service and global citizenship, and allow them to be taught and inspired, and to teach and inspire one another. Then let them move into local, national, and international communities and effect positive change. What could be more basic and, in the long term, more beneficial to the world we share?
“Connecticut College creates opportunities that build an intellectual home for pluralistic perspectives through educational pathways. We endeavor to maintain an international experience that is comprehensive and diverse by encouraging students to study and work abroad and by supporting a variety of programs, clubs, and networks for students with international backgrounds. The reciprocal relationships of consistent learning about many different global cultures and perspectives are intended outcomes. The Davis United World College Scholars Program adds an indispensable financial incentive to Connecticut College’s generous financial aid policies and further enhances the structural diversity within our international community. We continue to value the opportunity to keep this program flourishing at the college and to increase the access to a Connecticut College education.
“Davis UWC Scholars have put “Life” back into “Student Life” at Methodist University. The exceptional educational experience they received at a UWC has helped to make them natural doers and leaders. They are often the first to volunteer, the first to get involved. They are also the most likely to help effect change on our campus.
“We have implemented several programs and policies designed to enhance cross-cultural interaction between international and domestic students. For example, all incoming international students are required to live with a domestic student roommate for one year. The college has supported an International Cultural Center for a number of years. Since its inception, both international and domestic students have been recruited and admitted to reside in the International Cultural Center. The center recently relocated to a bigger location to provide expanded living and program space. UWC scholars have taken leadership roles in the operation of the center.
“Life at Williams is enriched every day by the presence of our Davis United World College Scholars. Both inside and outside the classroom they add their unique perspectives and experiences to our increasingly globally-oriented student culture. As a result, all teaching and learning here is enhanced.
“We strive to build critical masses of globally minded young men and women on American campuses, to foster highly personal relationships between outstanding Americans and non-Americans, and to seed global networks. These networks can serve a higher calling of international understanding and common purpose among future leaders in all walks of life in our world.