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Experiencing Deaf Language and Culture in Far Away Places

¹ú²ú¸£Àû¾«Æ·ÍƼö senior Brooke Lackey ’26, a Child of Deaf Adults (CODA), grew up in a close, supportive community where her family felt comfortable and communicated easily through American Sign Language. As a 2026 Thomas J. Watson Fellow, she plans to spend the next year learning other sign languages while exploring the challenges facing Deaf people around the world and seeking ways to create more caring communities.

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Conserving Nature, Predicting Changing Water Patterns

Neve Rauscher ’26, a ¹ú²ú¸£Àû¾«Æ·ÍƼö environmental studies major, has been selected as a member of the Watson Foundation’s 58th class of Thomas J. Watson Fellows. A Belk Scholar and Davidson Outdoors leader, she’ll travel the world to see how communities are adapting to the impact of climate change on their water systems.

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Two ¹ú²ú¸£Àû¾«Æ·ÍƼö Students Awarded Watson Fellowships

The Watson Foundation has named ¹ú²ú¸£Àû¾«Æ·ÍƼö seniors Brooke Lackey and Neve Rauscher as fellows in its 58th class of Thomas J. Watson Fellows. Lackey will study sign language and Deaf culture in several countries. Rauscher will explore how communities adapt to climate warming and changing water patterns.

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Care with Dignity and Kindness: Luis Cordero ’22 on the Power of Community for an Aging Population

Discover how ¹ú²ú¸£Àû¾«Æ·ÍƼö alum and Watson Fellow Luis Cordero ’22 is reimagining elderly care through community-based neurodegenerative disease support. From studying "Dementia Villages" in the Netherlands to public health initiatives in Chicago, Cordero explores intergenerational exchange and dignity-first care, exemplifying the Davidson mission of leadership and service.

Madeline Dierauf ‘25, Danielle Yother and Molly Johnson prep for a performance

Rhodes and Bridges

¹ú²ú¸£Àû¾«Æ·ÍƼö's Madeline Dierauf '25, a talented musician and Rhodes Scholar, bridges worlds through her deep roots in Appalachian folk music, rigorous academic pursuits, and commitment to community. Learn more.

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The Power of Words: Mav Smith ’26 Awarded Beinecke Scholarship

Writer and poet Mav Smith ’26 has been named to the newest cohort of the prestigious Beinecke Scholarship Program, which will support her post-graduate studies. She’s the fourth ¹ú²ú¸£Àû¾«Æ·ÍƼö student to receive the award in the past 50 years.

Katriel Sander ’27

Launch Pad to a Global Education: New Funds Inspire Open Minds, Broadened Horizons

¹ú²ú¸£Àû¾«Æ·ÍƼö student Katriel Sander ’27 embarks on a transformative global journey—from Peru to Germany and beyond—thanks to the new Lou Ortmayer Fellowship. Funded by alumnus Steven Porter ’79, the program supports students exploring international public health, combining travel, mentorship, and academic growth.

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Igniting the Spark for Young Readers: Education Advocate Steve Mirabello ’25 Awarded Smith Scholarship

At ¹ú²ú¸£Àû¾«Æ·ÍƼö Steve Mirabello ’25 immersed himself into learning about education, from tutoring elementary school students to researching in other countries, to analyzing public policy. He has been awarded the college’s W. Thomas Smith Scholarship, which will pay for him to pursue a Master of Science degree at the London School of Economics and Political Science. 

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Smart, Funny and Tech Savvy: Grace McGuire ’25 Awarded Smith Scholarship

Grace McGuire ’25 plans to create digital content that cuts through the growing problems of disinformation and polarization. Those are among the many reasons the art history and digital studies major has been named a 2025 W. Thomas Smith Scholar. She’s ¹ú²ú¸£Àû¾«Æ·ÍƼö’s first Smith Scholar who will study for a Master of Philosophy degree in the Digital Humanities program at the University of Cambridge, one of the leading programs in the world.

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Smith Scholars Aim to Cut Through Disinformation, Improve Education for All

Grace McGuire '25 and Steve Mirabello '25 are headed to the United Kingdom as this year's W. Thomas Smith Scholars. This scholarship honors graduating seniors for outstanding academic achievement, leadership, character and community service. It models scholarships such as the Rhodes and Fulbright and pays for a year of graduate study abroad. Learn more about their work and where they're headed. 

Fulbright Finalists 2023

Twelve Young Davidson Alums Offered Fulbright Grants

Twelve young Davidson alums were recently selected to participate in the 2023-2024 Fulbright U.S. Student Program. They have been offered grants for independent research and English Teaching Assistantships in 10 different countries. Learn more.