MC Alumni Board Welcomes Nancy Davis
Rev. William Smith passes the gavel to Nancy Davis.
A 1961 MC graduate, Davis was recently installed as president of the MC Alumni Association Board of Directors.
In early March, Davis succeeded the Rev. William P. Smith III of Tupelo, a 1959 MC alumnus. He's pastored churches in Mississippi and was director of missions for more than twenty years with the Lee County Baptist Association.
Ross Aven III, director of the MC Office of Alumni Affairs, welcomes Davis to her new leadership post.
"Nancy Davis has a spirit that is second to none for MC, and that will be contagious during her time as president," Aven said. The board's executive secretary, he said Davis will build upon Smith's solid record of accomplishments.
"My love for Mississippi College and the Christian values it upholds will inspire me as we work together to remember, recognize, and promote our Alma Mater," said Nancy when asked what can be expected from her as this year's alumni association president. "This will be a fun year, I promise!" she added.
"It is a long way from being harassed as freshman queen wearing a mop on her head, riding down Capitol Street in Jackson in an old convertible followed by classmates dressed as Choctaws in the Homecoming Parade of 1957," she remembers. At that time the freshman king and queen were chosen by the student body for being the best participants in weeks of initiation and harassment prior to the Millsaps football game.
Davis is married to Puddin Davis, a former MC Choctaws football star, and retired MC religion professor. The Clinton couple began dating during their college years at MC. Nancy Davis remains active in the Clinton community and at her church.
As a past president, Smith will remain on the board.
"Rev. Smith has a passion for MC that is matched by few people," Aven said. "I appreciate all that he has done and will continue to do for Mississippi College."
Moving up the ladder, 1954 MC graduate and retired lawyer William M. Dye Jr. of Oxford is now serving a one-year term as president-elect. The new first vice-president is Dr. Ed Donahoe of Indianola, a member of the Class of 1985. The second vice president is Buddy Huff, a 1969 graduate of the Baptist-affiliated school.
The MC alumni board serves to enhance the overall strategic direction of the Alumni Association.
The Alumni Association also works closely with district area coordinators around Mississippi and alumni leaders in such states as Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Louisiana, Georgia, Texas, Indiana, and Tennessee.
The alumni leaders are working hard to raise support for MC's $80 million "Growing the Vision" campaign to boost student scholarships, academic needs and university facilities.
For more information on MC's Alumni Association, contact Ross Aven at 601.925.3228 or aven@mc.edu
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