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Experiencing Deaf Language and Culture in Far Away Places

����������Ʒ�Ƽ� 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.

Two ����������Ʒ�Ƽ� Students Awarded Watson Fellowships

The Watson Foundation has named ����������Ʒ�Ƽ� 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.

Many Bright Lights: ����������Ʒ�Ƽ� Celebrates Spring Convocation

����������Ʒ�Ƽ� celebrated Spring Convocation on April 14, 2026, gathering to spotlight student achievement—from the academic to the athletic to the artistic—and the faculty and staff who support their work. 

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

Discover how ����������Ʒ�Ƽ� 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.

����������Ʒ�Ƽ� Continues Streak as a Top Fulbright Producer

The U.S. State Department has once again named ����������Ʒ�Ƽ� as one of its top producing institutions for Fulbright U.S. Student Program finalists. It’s the 11th consecutive year and 13th overall that the college has received the designation.

Spring Convocation Celebrates Innovation, Leadership, Excellence, Community

����������Ʒ�Ƽ� celebrated Spring Convocation on April 17, 2025, highlighting academic, athletic and artistic achievements, as well as leadership, character and community service.

����������Ʒ�Ƽ� Named Top Fulbright Producer—Again

For the 10th consecutive year, the U.S. State Department has named ����������Ʒ�Ƽ� a top producer for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. The nation’s flagship international exchange program funds teaching, research and study abroad. 

Leigha Hofmann ’25 on Dance, Davidson and Daring to Dream

During her time at ����������Ʒ�Ƽ�, Leigha Hofmann '25 has pursued a unique academic path that combines her passions for dance, psychology, and education. Learn more about the dancer, choreographer and leader. 

Catherine Bagwell, the Virginia Lasater Irvin Professor of Psychology, was featured in a recent New York Times article that offered readers advice on forging deep friendships. Bagwell suggested adapting “parallel play” – a behavior usually observed in children. The simple act of doing separate hobbies or tasks with a friend can lead to conversation and new bonds.

Healing Research, Supportive Allies

When a family member suffered a traumatic brain injury, the Foil family founded a care facility with community-based programs for other TBI survivors. The ����������Ʒ�Ƽ� alums fund a college research award to support students studying brain injuries. A separate fund supports health and wellness initiatives for Davidson’s LGBTQIA+ students.

Fancy Feasts: Davidson Gourmet Society Offered Sophisticated Spin on Campus Cuisine

The students, faculty and staff who made up the Davidson Gourmet Society added elegance, international flair and fun to campus dining. Read more.

Seeds of Change: Saplings Grown From Seeds of Trees That Survived Hiroshima Bombing Model Resilience

A partnership between ����������Ʒ�Ƽ� and Green Legacy Hiroshima brings Gingko trees to campus that are descendents of trees that survived the bombing of Hiroshima. The saplings represent resilience and will be planted in the center of campus. 

From Campus Leader to West Coast Litigator: Aditi Ghatlia ’18 Turns Theory Into Practice

Her leadership roles across campus and the friendships she made at Davidson prepared Aditi Ghatlia ’18 for a career in law. Working as a litigator on the West Coast, she continues to seek out communities and experiences where she can make a difference. 

Tackling Children’s Mental Health Struggles

School psychologist Katherine Griffin-Erickson ’90 has seen her caseload spike in recent years, most notably since the COVID-19 pandemic. The ����������Ʒ�Ƽ� graduate works with elementary school students to manage stressors, including family strife, social media and pandemic learning losses.

Amazing Adolescence: Expert advice for parents of tweens and teens

Adolescence can be a tough time, but it’s also a time of tremendous growth and change. Catherine Bagwell, the Virginia Lasater Irvin Professor of Psychology at ����������Ʒ�Ƽ� and an expert on adolescent social development, offers advice for parents and caregivers.

Navigating Disability in the College Process

Three ����������Ʒ�Ƽ� students reflect on the extra challenges that a disability presents when choosing a college. They share their Davidson experience and offer advice to prospective students with disabilities about going through the admission process.

Here to Help: Connecting Students with Mental Health Resources

Addie Anderson ’24, a student Mental Health Ambassador (MHA) at ����������Ʒ�Ƽ�, works to destigmatize seeking help and to show struggling students they’re not alone. 

Advice on Davidson's Peer Recommendation

When applying to Davidson, all applicants are required to submit a peer letter of recommendation — someone of similar age who can speak to who you are as a human being beyond a transcript, essay or list of extracurriculars. Learn more.

Ramirez Receives Lifetime Achievement Award for Mentorship

Prof. Julio Ramirez, R. Stuart Dickson Professor of Psychology and director of the neuroscience program, received a 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Association for Psychological Science for his dedication to his students.

She Lived It and Now Returns to Thailand to Help Refugees With Mental Health, Education Needs

����������Ʒ�Ƽ� student Taw Meh ’25 returns to the country of her birth and to the refugee camp where she spent part of her childhood to help provide mental health and other critical services. Learn more.