Arthur and Vivian Davis believe that education equips individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to become productive members of society and that a quality education is the pathway to improved living conditions, financial security and future opportunities for social, emotional, academic and professional advancement. On a personal note, they share that education provided them the foundation to transition from meager means in the rural south to enjoy prosperity and a better quality of life.
Arthur and Vivian graduated from Monitor High School in Fitzgerald, Georgia. Arthur went on to graduate from Savannah State University with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry, the University of Wisconsin with a Master of Science in Bacteriology, and Western Michigan University with a Master of Public Health. Vivian earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Fort Valley State University, a Master of Science in Social Administration from Case Western Reserve University, and a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Western Michigan University.
Arthur, a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve, retired in 2008 from a career that included project engineering at Corning Glassworks in Albion and food technology at General Foods, Post Division in Battle Creek. He was an industrial hygienist with the Michigan Department of Public Health and a Civil Affairs Officer and Environmental Science Officer with the Army Reserve.
Vivian’s career spanned many years at Albion Public Schools as a social worker and the director of guidance and counseling. She also served as an adjunct instructor and academic advisor at KCC.
Community service is extremely important to Arthur and Vivian, particularly in Albion. Some of Vivian’s activities include: precinct representative on the Albion City Council; assistant to the governor – Rotary District 6360; Calhoun County Board of Health; Albion Health Care Alliance Board of Directors; Fountain Clinic Board of Directors; KCC Foundation Board of Directors; Transportation Authority of Calhoun County, president; Albion Area Lifelong Learners; and Albion Branch NAACP Executive Board.
Arthur’s involvements include: finance chairperson for Bethel Baptist Church; former City Council representative; past president of Albion Branch NAACP; and retired reservist in the United States Army.
Arthur and Vivian established the Arthur and Vivian Davis Scholarship fund at the KCC Foundation to continue the legacy of their son, Arthian, who passed in 2023. Throughout his short life, Arthian engaged in educational activities with children and young adults after graduating from Tuskegee University. During his spare time, he taught chess to elementary students, tutored students in math and was always available to encourage and support students to do their best, plan ahead and follow through with their commitments.
“This scholarship fund enables us to invest in our community’s future and help students attending KCC achieve their academic dreams,” says Vivian.
Arthur adds, “We wish to share our resources with others as were shared with us. The financial support we received enabled us the opportunity to focus on academic responsibilities instead of working extra jobs to meet the demands of the cost of education.”
The KCC Foundation is tremendously grateful to Arthur and Vivian Davis for their dedication to family, community and education … the hallmarks of benevolent Bruins.
For more information or to donate to the Davis Scholarship Fund or for information about starting a new fund at the KCC Foundation, call 269-965-4161.
Pictured above, from left to right, are KCC President Dr. Paul Watson, KCC Foundation scholarship donors Arthur and Vivian Davis, and KCC Foundation Board of Directors Chair Andrew Schweitzer.
This article first appeared in the June 2024 edition of BruIN magazine. To read the issue online, please visit kellogg.edu/bruinmagazine.