Dr. Anthony J. Davis
Dr. Anthony J. Davis is the 13th President of Livingstone College. He is a 2001 magna cum laude graduate of Livingstone College and the first alumnus in more than 50 years to serve as President.
Before becoming President, effective Oct. 1, 2022, Dr. Davis served as Livingstone’s senior vice president/chief operating officer. In that role, he was responsible for supervising and providing leadership for the entire fundraising enterprise. He also managed day-to-day operations with the responsibility of providing strategic oversight in key areas on campus to create campus-wide collaboration promoting economic growth, revenue generation, and sustainability.
Dr. Davis is a foster care survivor who emancipated himself from the foster care system at age 17 before aging out and joining the United States Air Force. He is a philanthropic practitioner who began his career over 28 years ago. His passion for education, community, and social justice has positioned him to provide visionary strategic leadership in support of a number of colleges, universities, and non-profit organizations. His work has resulted in procuring more than $500 million in gifts and grants, with special emphasis on major gifts and planned giving.
Dr. Davis is an ordained Elder in the life of The A.M.E. Zion Church and the first ordained elder to serve as President since Dr. Joseph Charles Price, the college’s first president. Dr. Davis has served The A.M.E Zion Church faithfully as a laity leader, Pastor, Presiding Elder, and now the President of the church’s flagship institution – our beloved Livingstone College. Dr. Davis also served on the National Steering Committee for The Young Adults in Christian Ministry (YACM).
Dr. Davis attended The Fundraising School of Indiana University – Bloomington’s Center of Philanthropy (Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis); earned his master’s degree in philanthropy and development from St. Mary’s University in Minnesota; and completed his doctoral work at The United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio, where he earned a Doctor of Ministry degree.
Dr. Davis has launched “The Miracle on Monroe Street,” a $60 Million campus renovation project where the college is refurbishing five residence halls, renovating their cafeteria, and upgrading the Price Administration Building. In less than 2 years, Dr. Davis has secured $66 Million in outright philanthropic contributions, which includes two of the largest outright contributions in the college’s history, 10 Million dollars and $8 million. He also secured $1 Million in the same 2-year period.
Dr. Davis is married to Dr. Jacqueline S. Davis, a pediatric nurse practitioner with a doctorate in nursing practice. They have three wonderful children: Brandon, Montrell, and Maya. Dr. Davis is a servant leader who leads by example and is inspired by this quote; “If service is beneath you, then leadership should be beyond you.”