Presidential Address
Austin Davis '15 delivers the Student Senate president's address during the 2014 Convocation ceremony. Photo by Carl Socolow '77.
Austin Davis ’15
As president of Student Senate, Austin Davis ’15 took the podium during last fall's Convocation ceremony to welcome the class of 2017 and offer words of wisdom and encouragement to first-year students. His advice: Avoid pigeonholing, and relish the many and diverse perspectives you’ll encounter at Dickinson. Meet the personality behind that philosophy, and learn which U.S. president he most admires.
by MaryAlice Bitts-Jackson
Major:
Political science (religion minor).
Clubs and organizations:
Student Senate (president) and Political Science Majors Committee.
Honors/scholarships/awards:
Charles Mullin Prize in Political Science, Dean’s List and the Pi Sigma Alpha (political science), Theta Alpha Kappa (religious studies and theology) and Alpha Lambda Delta honor societies.
On choosing Dickinson:
Just before the enrollment deadline, I had already narrowed my decision down to two other colleges. I changed my mind after I spent a day on Dickinson’s campus. I really enjoyed the small class size and open-ended discussions. The enthusiastic students and professors I met also influenced my decision.
Favorite place on campus:
Memorial Hall in Old West.
As a kid, I wanted to be …
… either a TV news anchor or a politician.
Favorite book:
Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin.
Favorite movie:
Lincoln.
If I could have dinner with anyone, living or dead, it would be …
… Abraham Lincoln. Definitely.
Favorite Dining Hall food:
Thanksgiving dinner in the Caf.
Most important thing I’ve learned (so far):
At Dickinson, I’ve learned that it is important to avoid thinking in absolutes and to be open-minded about others’ perspectives.
About my internship:
As an intern at the Cumberland County Courthouse with [Adjunct Faculty in Policy Studies] Judge Edward E. Guido ['72], I received firsthand knowledge of the function of the judiciary. As a result of this experience, I am considering taking a long-term judicial route after law school.
Post-Dickinson plans:
I would like to pursue a career in law.
Favorite academic project:
Reading a mock Supreme Court case and drafting a majority Supreme Court opinion, as part of [Associate] Professor [of Political Science] Doug Edlin’s judiciary class.
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Published April 10, 2015