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Eu and Phi Halls

Eu and Phi Halls and Elm Row, the institute’s new home, will be renovated with the help of gifts from Jay Hurt ’88, for whom the balcony and assembly room of Eu Hall will be named, and from Steven and Amy Harris Wacaster ’98, for whom the great room in Phi Hall will be named. A gift from Cathleen Quinn Trask ’91 and Patrick Trask ’93 will be recognized by naming the Trask Family Balcony in Phi Hall. The two buildings were constructed in the 19th century for the college’s first debate societies with their balconies facing each other within hearing distance. A gift from Mary Tabb Mack ’84 and Barry Mack ’82 will support the design and construction of a plaza between Phi and Eu Halls, which will carry their family’s name. 

“These stately buildings embody a long and storied history of spirited debate. The institute will build on that legacy as a place where opposing perspectives will be equally and respectively heard,” Hurt said.

“We are excited to help restore a meaningful part of Davidson’s history and grateful for the role this space will play in fostering thoughtful civil discourse on campus and beyond,” said Amy Harris Wacaster.

The Macks added, “The plaza will be a gathering place, creating a sense of community for the institute and a forum for learning, collaboration and debate. We are delighted to be a part of this work, while honoring our rich Davidson history across multiple generations.”

The Grier Martin, Class of 1932, and Louise McMichael Martin Program on Arts and Public Life

The Grier Martin, Class of 1932, and Louise McMichael Martin Program on Arts and Public Life will be named for the college’s 13th president and his wife, a gifted actress, who were D.G. Martin’s parents. It will help students expand moral imagination, create connections and face societal challenges through culture and the arts. It is supported by a gift from Harriet Wall Martin and the late D.G. Martin ’62.

The Beacon Program on Deliberation and Free Expression

The Beacon Program on Deliberation and Free Expression, supported by Jon Morris ’94, echoes Davidson’s Commitment to Freedom of Expression and will include the college’s Deliberative Citizenship Initiative and development of the Deliberative Citizenship Network, which will guide efforts to teach respectful disagreement and civil debate on more than 100 college and university campuses. That pioneering network will be funded by a $4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education. Morris’s gift also will endow the program director’s position, the Beacon Director of Deliberation and Free Expression, who will be responsible for advancing the cause of academic freedom and free speech.

“We want students to help turn arguments into constructive debate,” Morris said, “whether over a town’s zoning decision or national rules on immigration.”

The Allison S. and Thomas C. Franco Program on Public Policy and Research

The Allison S. and Thomas C. Franco Program on Public Policy and Research will enable students, faculty and visiting experts to tackle public policy and research with results that touch lives across all corners of society. It will build and expand upon what is now the College Crisis Initiative. Their gift also endows the Allison S. and Thomas C. Franco Director of Public Policy and Research position.

“An undergraduate student could gather mounds of data on a problem affecting a particular industry,” the Francos said in a joint statement, “then, analyze it for trends on how the industry is responding and provide that work to members of that industry, government agencies, the media and the public to shape better responses.”

The Neely and Jack Purcell Program on Ethics, Honor and Leadership

The Neely and Jack Purcell Program on Ethics, Honor and Leadership highlights Davidson’s distinctive Honor Code and how it helps create a culture of trust and support on campus. Students take exams without proctors, leave backpacks unattended without worry and tell stories of lost money or possessions that were returned. Alums routinely tell how the culture of trust has carried through in how they conduct their lives and careers, a contribution that is vital in light of the public’s declining trust in institutions and the ethical quandaries of artificial intelligence. The institute already has played host to the first two gatherings of student, faculty and staff honor council leaders from colleges and universities across the country, and it received a nearly $800,000 Educating Character Initiative grant from the Program for Leadership and Character, at Wake Forest University. 

“This program area will build on that environment and those values,” the Purcells said in a statement. “It will model integrity, including plain and transparent explanations on ethical questions.”

A gift from Marty and Dan Boone III ’66 will create the Boone Family Director of Ethics, Honor and Leadership.

The William F. and Betty G. Mulliss Center for Civic Engagement

The William F. and Betty G. Mulliss Center for Civic Engagement strengthens and expands Davidson’s commitment to public purpose through partnerships with public and nonprofit organizations. Working alongside communities, it supports internships, service, engaged teaching and scholarship, and collaborative action that address pressing social challenges locally, nationally, and globally. The center is newly named for the late William F. Mulliss, ����������Ʒ�Ƽ� Class of 1933, and his wife Betty, to honor the generous ongoing support of their foundation. 

Leadership & Endowed Gifts 

Stan Humphries ’90 and Katie Bagby Humphries ’90 have endowed the director’s position.

A gift from Loucy and Sam Hay ’84 will establish the Dr. Samuel Burney Hay, Class of 1916, Managing Director of the Martin Institute for Public Good.

The Foxx Family Forum on Civic Issues will bring together students and leaders and experts from a range of perspectives to identify creative, effective solutions to societal issues, with special attention to bridging partisan and other differences and naming actionable steps toward those solutions. It is made possible by a gift from Samara and Anthony Foxx ’93, chair of the college’s Board of Trustees, and supported by a gift from Ashley and Joe Cook ’93. 

The Herd Family Fund, which will support programs, events and visiting fellows and scholars, was established by Paula and Dan Herd ’70. 

The Martin Institute for Public Good Endowment is supported by lead gifts from Laura and David Hall ’84 and Jackie Kasulis ’98. Future donors can join them in contributing to this unrestricted fund supporting the institute.