{"id":1225,"date":"2022-10-20T17:58:22","date_gmt":"2022-10-20T17:58:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/arkansasdeltainformer.com\/?p=1225"},"modified":"2022-10-20T17:58:23","modified_gmt":"2022-10-20T17:58:23","slug":"uapb-mourns-death-of-longtime-chancellor-lawrence-davis-funeral-on-saturday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arkansasdeltainformer.com\/uapb-mourns-death-of-longtime-chancellor-lawrence-davis-funeral-on-saturday\/","title":{"rendered":"UAPB mourns death of longtime chancellor Lawrence Davis; funeral on Saturday"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Arkansas Delta Informer \u2013 Oct. 20, 2022 \u2013 Funeral services for longtime University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) Chancellor Lawrence A. Davis Jr., will take place on Saturday, Oct. 22 at 12:30 p.m. at the H.O. Clemmons Arena inside the UAPB HPER Complex.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Davis, chancellor emeritus at the state\u2019s largest Historically Black College & University (HBCU) passed away on Saturday, Oct. 15. He served as UAPB chancellor for 21 years, and leaves to cherish his memory two children, Sonya Davis Cole and Lawrence A. Davis, III; nine grandchildren; and one great grandchild. His wife, Ethel Grant Davis, and a daughter, Catherine Davis Harvey, preceded him in death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visitation services will be held Friday, Oct. 21 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, 2507 W. Hill St. in Pine Bluff. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to: Office of the Chancellor, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, 1200 North University Drive, Pine Bluff, AR 71601<\/strong>. The full obituary may be found here.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDr. Davis led UAPB with honor and distinction through two decades of growth and development,\u201d Chancellor Laurence B. Alexander said. \u201cHis care, concern, and support of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and stakeholders epitomize his legacy of exemplary servant leadership to his beloved ‘Dear Mother’ and community. I am grateful to him for his unwavering support, guidance, mentorship, and friendship since I joined the university. We continue to express our condolences and pray for his family and loved ones. The Golden Lion Nation is grateful for the legacy of excellence left for us by Chancellor Emeritus Lawrence A. Davis, Jr.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Davis\u2019 final public speech and appearance occurred during the 2022 UAPB homecoming festivities a week before his passing. He helped kick off the annual golf tournament with prayer and congratulatory remarks and served as the parade\u2019s grand marshal, a duty he greatly cherished and enjoyed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His up-close and personal relationship with the institution began at the age of four when his father, Dr. Lawrence A. \u201cPrexy\u201d Davis, Sr., began his tenure at Arkansas AM&N College (now UAPB) as a teacher, later serving as president and chancellor of UAPB. The younger Davis was often heard saying, \u201cI grew up in my daddy\u2019s house,\u201d which, at first may have seemed an odd statement. But for Dr. Davis, the statement had greater meaning as it applied to his father\u2019s 30-year leadership of the university he would also eventually lead. Those lessons learned at home helped Dr. Davis become one of the longest-serving chancellors of any Arkansas university. In his final year as chancellor, Dr. Davis told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette<\/em> in 2011, \u201cIt really is in my blood, it\u2019s who I am, this is my home\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Davis graduated from AM&N College in 1958 with a bachelor\u2019s degree in mathematics and earned a master\u2019s degree in mathematics from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and a doctorate in engineering mechanics from Iowa State University of Science and Technology at Ames.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The former UAPB chancellor\u2019s professional career began with a brief stint at Mississippi Vocational College, now Mississippi Valley State University at Itta Bena, before he returned to AM&N as a mathematics instructor. Davis swiftly moved through the ranks to assistant professor, associate professor, full professor, chair of the Department of Mathematics and Physics, dean of Arts and Sciences, and dean of Liberal and Fine Arts. He received a unanimous vote by the University of Arkansas System Board of Trustees to become UAPB chancellor in 1991.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

B. Alan Sugg, president of the University of Arkansas System told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette<\/em> in 2011 that there was such a show of support for him that \u201cI felt like if I had not hired him, I would have been looking for a job. I received so many calls and letters from people who wanted Dr. Davis to be chancellor.\u201d He went further to call Davis a \u201cgood academic leader who has done a terrific job at UAPB. He has an extreme passion for the university. I consider Dr. Davis a very close friend and colleague.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Davis labored to address as many historical concerns as possible, while giving impetus to enhancing the teaching, research and service functions. In record time, Dr. Davis had managed to turn the ship around, stabilize the school\u2019s finances, and raise the morale of the faculty, staff, and students. He oversaw the completion of Henderson-Young Hall, a multi-million dollar facility that houses the School of Business and Management. Under his leadership, the university received a $30 million appropriation from the state to upgrade the campus facilities, which included the construction of Dawson-Hicks and Caine-Gilleland Halls. As a result of the largest state appropriation in the university\u2019s history, Dr. Davis successfully attained his goals for enhancing the service functions of the university.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, in the early years of his chancellorship, the football program was restored after a two-year ban, and a new coaching staff was immediately hired. Within two years, the team played for the national championship of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), Division I. Other historic events that occurred under his leadership include the marching band\u2019s performance at former President Barack Obama’s inaugural parade and the Vesper Choir\u2019s performance tour in Italy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDr. Davis was a visionary leader whose in-depth knowledge, love and care for the advancement of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff are legendary,\u201d Vice Chancellor Emeritus Mary Benjamin said. \u201cIt was a special honor to join his leadership team as Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs where innovation and teamwork were encouraged, supported and acknowledged. May his legacy be a trademark for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI extend my sincere condolences and God’s blessings to the Davis family for the loss of Dr. L. A. Davis, Jr.,\u201d Chancellor Emeritus Carolyn Blakely said. \u201cI have known him since we were both in high school and our schools\u2019 athletic teams competed against one another, attended AM&N College with him, and worked with him at the University for 43 years. There was never any doubt that Dr. Davis expected and acknowledged commitment, dedication, and expert service from those who worked with him to produce graduates who could become productive citizens of their chosen careers and communities. I am grateful to him for his dedicated service to the University, the students, and his community. I will always remember and cherish his legacy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe lost a true giant in Dr. Lawrence A. Davis, Jr., a true giant,\u201d longtime friend Calvin Booker \u201979 said. \u201cNo greater love can any man have for our university than Dr. Davis and his family for more than 85 years of dedicated service. The Dear Mother Nation says thank you and well done.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor more than two decades, I worked under the leadership of Dr. Lawrence A. Davis, Jr., and his passion for the advancement of the university and students was unmatched,\u201d said Liz Strickland, administrative assistant to Dr. Davis. \u201cAt his core, Dr. Davis was always an educator, observing every teachable moment for students and employees alike. Working with him for many years provided me with unforgettable memories, life lessons, and friendship. Throughout the years of working together, attending church together, celebrating life\u2019s joys, and supporting each other through life\u2019s woes, Dr. Davis and his wife, Ethel, became extended family and are missed immensely.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other signature projects and events credited to Dr. Lawrence A. Davis, Jr., include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n