Today I walked a familiar hallway in Dubois Hall on Hampton
University’s campus on my way to the Honors College Office. I had planned to
visit the Honors College office when I planned my trip down to my Home by the
Sea months ago. I had no idea that the most familiar face of Honors College would
no longer be there. Anyone who has ever been in Honors College or has come in
contact with woman to whom I am speaking of can guess who it is without me
saying her name but for those of you who may not have had the blessing of
meeting her, I will no longer keep you in suspense. Dr. Freddye Sue Davy was an
extraordinary educator, Alpha Kappa Alpha Woman and a force to be wrecking
with. To know her was to lover her no matter how hard or tough she was on you.
In her eyes we, her students were never good enough; for there was more that we
could learn, do, strive for and accomplish. Settling was never an option to
even contemplate. Dr. Davy always saw more in us than we saw in our selves and
she sought to cultivate us to dream bigger, achiever higher, stretch further,
and give more of our selves in all areas of our lives. I don’t think she ever
took no for an answer from anyone and worked to make sure that we were well
prepared for the lives that we were to live once we graduated from the Honors
College Program and Hampton University.
Honors College was not for the faint at heart and Dr. Davy
made sure you knew it before you signed your name on the dotted line to commit
to being an Honors College student. Dr. Davy did not take any mess and did not
play any games. She was no nonsense and we all knew it. She never gave anything
above a C during midterm grades to make sure that no one got to comfortable in
her classes. She made you work and earn everything that you had and then work
some more.
Dr. Davy instilled pride in who were as people. She instilled
faith that we could make it through any challenge life may throw at us. She
made it a point to dispel any doubt that we were less than anyone or anything.
She cultivated us as men and women of service, making community service and giving
back a vital part of our Honors College curriculum. She also encouraged us to
go beyond any physical or mental boundaries that we thought were set. Dr. Davy
also encouraged us to explore the world both near and far and was a supporter
of studying abroad as well as promoted and cultivated Rhode Scholars, Fulbright
Scholars, and Marshall Scholars.
Although Dr. Davy has gone on to Heaven I definitely felt her
presence in her office today. I am so thankful that I got to see Dr. Davy one
last time this past December 2011 and chatted with her about my recent accomplishments.
I will always remember the smile and the big hug she gave me that day. She told
me that she was proud of me. That phrase only comes from Dr. Davy if she feels
that you have earned it so to have heard that from her meant a lot. It was a
true blessing.
Dr. Davy has touched the lives of so many students,
colleagues, family members,
friends, etc. She will truly be missed but her legacy will live on in all of
us.
KoMiSa’s Thoughts: Thanks just isn’t enough for your many years of service, for the wisdom and the knowledge that you, Dr. Davy, have
imparted on so many. Thank you for the challenges that you constantly set
before us and for always seeing more in us than we saw in ourselves. It will
not be the same without you in the Honors College Office but we know you do not
want us sad and all so we will pick up your baton and triumphantly carry on.
To learn more about the Dr. Freddye Davy Honors College at Hampton
University please click the link below
http://honorscollege.hamptonu.edu/
Hasta el Proximo Vez,
KoMiSa
