Frederick Corbet Davison
Encyclopedia
Frederick Corbet "Fred" Davison (September 3, 1929 – April 28, 2004) was the President of the University of Georgia
(UGA) in Athens
. He served in that capacity from 1967 until his resignation in 1986.
before transferring to UGA in 1948 to earn his veterinary degree (D.V.M.) from UGA in 1952. Dr. Davison met his wife, Dianne Castle, while in vet school. She also obtained her D.V.M from UGA in 1952.
After receiving their veterinary degrees, Dianne and Fred Davison opened a veterinary practice in Fred Davison's hometown of Marietta, Georgia
. In 1958, the Davisons went to Iowa State University
where Fred earned his doctorate (Ph.D.
) in Biochemistry
and Pathology
, and Dianne worked as a researcher.
He then taught veterinary science at Iowa State University while also leading an U.S. Atomic Energy Commission
research project on stable rare earth compounds.
as the assistant director of the Scientific Activities Division for a year before being named dean of the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine
in 1964. In 1966, he became vice chancellor of the University System of Georgia
and the following year was named president of UGA.
Davison served as president until his resignation in 1986 following a successful lawsuit against the University by UGA English teacher Dr. Jan Kemp
. Kemp claimed that University administrators fired her in retaliation for protesting preferential treatment for athletes in UGA's developmental studies program. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/12/education/12kemp.html?_r=1
Following his retirement as president, Dr. Davison remained on the UGA verterninary faculty for two years. From 1988-2002, he served as president and chief executive officer of the National Science Center Foundation Inc., in Augusta until his retirement in 2002. Dr. Davison also chaired the board of directors of Citizens for Nuclear Technology Awareness (CTNA).
in Augusta, Georgia
and was buried in Oconee Hill Cemetery
in Athens.
Accomplishments during Davison's presidency include:
The following buildings were opened on the UGA campus during Davison's tenure:
Other notable facts/honors:
University of Georgia
The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...
(UGA) in Athens
Athens, Georgia
Athens-Clarke County is a consolidated city–county in U.S. state of Georgia, in the northeastern part of the state, comprising the former City of Athens proper and Clarke County. The University of Georgia is located in this college town and is responsible for the initial growth of the city...
. He served in that capacity from 1967 until his resignation in 1986.
Early life and education
Davison attended Oxford College of Emory UniversityEmory University
Emory University is a private research university in metropolitan Atlanta, located in the Druid Hills section of unincorporated DeKalb County, Georgia, United States. The university was founded as Emory College in 1836 in Oxford, Georgia by a small group of Methodists and was named in honor of...
before transferring to UGA in 1948 to earn his veterinary degree (D.V.M.) from UGA in 1952. Dr. Davison met his wife, Dianne Castle, while in vet school. She also obtained her D.V.M from UGA in 1952.
After receiving their veterinary degrees, Dianne and Fred Davison opened a veterinary practice in Fred Davison's hometown of Marietta, Georgia
Marietta, Georgia
Marietta is a city located in central Cobb County, Georgia, United States, and is its county seat.As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 56,579, making it one of metro Atlanta's largest suburbs...
. In 1958, the Davisons went to Iowa State University
Iowa State University
Iowa State University of Science and Technology, more commonly known as Iowa State University , is a public land-grant and space-grant research university located in Ames, Iowa, United States. Iowa State has produced astronauts, scientists, and Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winners, along with a host of...
where Fred earned his doctorate (Ph.D.
Ph.D.
A Ph.D. is a Doctor of Philosophy, an academic degree.Ph.D. may also refer to:* Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*Piled Higher and Deeper, a web comic strip*PhD: Phantasy Degree, a Korean comic series* PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
) in Biochemistry
Biochemistry
Biochemistry, sometimes called biological chemistry, is the study of chemical processes in living organisms, including, but not limited to, living matter. Biochemistry governs all living organisms and living processes...
and Pathology
Pathology
Pathology is the precise study and diagnosis of disease. The word pathology is from Ancient Greek , pathos, "feeling, suffering"; and , -logia, "the study of". Pathologization, to pathologize, refers to the process of defining a condition or behavior as pathological, e.g. pathological gambling....
, and Dianne worked as a researcher.
He then taught veterinary science at Iowa State University while also leading an U.S. Atomic Energy Commission
United States Atomic Energy Commission
The United States Atomic Energy Commission was an agency of the United States government established after World War II by Congress to foster and control the peace time development of atomic science and technology. President Harry S...
research project on stable rare earth compounds.
Academic and professional career
Davison worked for the American Veterinary Medical AssociationAmerican Veterinary Medical Association
The American Veterinary Medical Association , founded in 1863, is a not-for-profit association representing more than 81,500 U.S. veterinarians working in private and corporate practice, government, industry, academia, and uniformed services....
as the assistant director of the Scientific Activities Division for a year before being named dean of the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine
University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine
The University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine is a college within the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia, United States.-History:...
in 1964. In 1966, he became vice chancellor of the University System of Georgia
University System of Georgia
The University System of Georgia is the organizational body that includes 35 public institutions of higher learning in the U.S. state of Georgia. The System is governed by the Georgia Board of Regents. It sets goals and dictates general policy to educational institutions as well as administering...
and the following year was named president of UGA.
Davison served as president until his resignation in 1986 following a successful lawsuit against the University by UGA English teacher Dr. Jan Kemp
Jan Kemp
Jan Kemp was an American academic and English tutor who exposed the bias in passing college football players and filed a lawsuit against the University of Georgia....
. Kemp claimed that University administrators fired her in retaliation for protesting preferential treatment for athletes in UGA's developmental studies program. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/12/education/12kemp.html?_r=1
Following his retirement as president, Dr. Davison remained on the UGA verterninary faculty for two years. From 1988-2002, he served as president and chief executive officer of the National Science Center Foundation Inc., in Augusta until his retirement in 2002. Dr. Davison also chaired the board of directors of Citizens for Nuclear Technology Awareness (CTNA).
Death and legacy
On April 28, 2004, Fred Davison died from esophageal cancerEsophageal cancer
Esophageal cancer is malignancy of the esophagus. There are various subtypes, primarily squamous cell cancer and adenocarcinoma . Squamous cell cancer arises from the cells that line the upper part of the esophagus...
in Augusta, Georgia
Augusta, Georgia
Augusta is a consolidated city in the U.S. state of Georgia, located along the Savannah River. As of the 2010 census, the Augusta–Richmond County population was 195,844 not counting the unconsolidated cities of Hephzibah and Blythe.Augusta is the principal city of the Augusta-Richmond County...
and was buried in Oconee Hill Cemetery
Oconee Hill Cemetery
Oconee Hill Cemetery is an American cemetery in Athens, Georgia. The cemetery opened in 1856 and is located just off the University of Georgia's campus....
in Athens.
Accomplishments during Davison's presidency include:
- Funding from research contracts and grants climbed from less than $7 million to more than $27 million during his presidency
- The University budget tripled
- Enrollment rose in all but two years while he was president, climbing from 15,600 to 25,000
- He conferred more than 106,000 degrees, more than the total conferred by all 16 of his predecessors
- The number of faculty increased from 1,150 to 1,850 during his administration
- Funding from research contracts and grants increased
- Graduate enrollment doubled, and the number of doctoral degrees awarded annually rose significantly
- In 1980, UGA was designated as the 15th Sea Grant institutionSea grant collegesThe National Sea Grant College Program is a program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration within the U.S. Department of Commerce...
- The School of Environmental Design was established (joined with the Institute of Ecology in 2001 to become the College of Environment & Design)
- Creation of the Rusk Center for International and Comparative Law (named for former U.S. Secretary of State Dean RuskDean RuskDavid Dean Rusk was the United States Secretary of State from 1961 to 1969 under presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. Rusk is the second-longest serving U.S...
, a Davison recruit to the UGA law faculty) - Creation of the Rural Development Center, the Small Business Development Center, and the Center for Global Policy Studies
- In the 1970s UGA ranked in five national surveys as one of the top 50 research institutions in the country.
- Laid the foundation for the Life Sciences Building, a $32 million, 257000 square feet (23,876.1 m²) structure that houses the genetics and biochemistry departments (renamed Fred C. Davison Life Sciences Complex in April 2004)
- At his retirement as UGA president, alumni and friends contributed about $900,000 to endow the Fred C. Davison Professorship, an endowed chair in the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine
The following buildings were opened on the UGA campus during Davison's tenure:
- Alexander Campbell King Law LibraryAlexander Campbell King Law LibraryThe Alexander Campbell King Law Library is the law library of the University of Georgia School of Law. It is located on the historic North Quadrangle of the University of Georgia campus in Athens, Georgia. The library holds more than 600,000 volumes of print and microform materials and is a leader...
(1967) - Boyd Graduate Studies/Science Library Research Center (1968)
- Psychology/Journalism Complex (1968)
- University Bookstore (1968)
- State Botanical Garden (1969 – 1985)
- Aderhold Hall (1971)
- Miller Plant Sciences Building (1972)
- Family Housing Extension (1972 – 1974)
- Ecology building (1974)
- Library Annex (1974)
- Henry Feild Tennis Stadium (1977)
- Caldwell Hall (1981)
- Law Annex (1981)
- Tate Student Center (1983)
- Second deck added to Sanford StadiumSanford StadiumSanford Stadium is the on-campus playing venue for football at the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia, United States. The 92,746-seat stadium is the seventh largest stadium in the NCAA. Architecturally, the stadium is known for the fact that its numerous expansions over the years have been...
(1967) - Enclosure of the east end of Sanford Stadium (1981)
Other notable facts/honors:
- Served as Boy Scouts of AmericaBoy Scouts of AmericaThe Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with over 4.5 million youth members in its age-related divisions...
Georgia-Carolina Council President - Citizens for Nuclear Technology Awareness annually awards the Fred C. Davison Distinguished Scientist Award to honor scientists or engineers from the Savannah River SiteSavannah River SiteThe Savannah River Site is a nuclear reservation in the United States in the state of South Carolina, located on land in Aiken, Allendale and Barnwell Counties adjacent to the Savannah River, southeast of Augusta, Georgia. The site was built during the 1950s to refine nuclear materials for...
(SRS) whose lifetime scientific contributions have been exceptional - American Veterinary Medical Foundation Honor Roll Member