Ruth Ann Davis

Ruth Ann Davis was born in Keyser, West Virginia, on May 25, 1936.[1][2][3] She was the only child of George Davis and his wife Ruth Ward Davis.[1][2][3] Her mother Ruth was a licensed practical nurse.[4] Davis attended Keyser High School, where she was a winner of West Virginia's Golden Horseshoe Award[1][2][5] and graduated as valedictorian and honor student in 1954.[1][2]

Davis attended and graduated from Potomac State College in Keyser with an Associate of Arts degree in pre-medicine in 1956.[1][6][7] She then earned her Bachelor of Arts in pre-medicine at West Virginia University in 1959.[6][7][8] Davis then pursued graduate work at West Virginia University, where she worked as a graduate teaching assistant at the West Virginia University Department of Biology from 1959 to 1962.[1][2] Davis was also an instructor at the Clark College Department of Biology from 1962 to 1964.[1][2] In 1964, she earned her Master of Science degree in zoology from West Virginia University.[1][6][7] She then pursued postgraduate studies at the Wayne State University School of Medicine and worked as a graduate teaching instructor at the Wayne State University Department of Physiology from 1964 to 1968.[1][2] In June 1969, Davis earned her Doctor of Philosophy degree in physiology from the Wayne State University School of Medicine.[7][9][10] Davis's dissertation was on platelet cothromboplastin, and a comparative study of platelet factor III and factor VII.[11]

Potomac State College campus, with Science Hall on the left

From 1968 to 1981, Davis served as the Medical Technologies and Laboratory Supervisor at Sinai Hospital (present-day Sinai-Grace Hospital).[1][12][13] In 1983, she served as a clinical instructor at Ross Medical Education Center.[1][12][13]

In 1983, Davis returned to Keyser to care for her elderly parents, and she began her employment at Potomac State College.[1][2] Davis joined the college's staff when she became an assistant professor of biology and chemistry in 1985.[6] Davis was promoted to associate professor of biology and chemistry, and received academic tenure in 1991.[12][13] At that time, she also taught courses in biology, medical science, and nursing.[12][13] In 1995, she was named Potomac State College's Outstanding Professor of the Year.[14] This award recognized professors' excellence in teaching, community service, and professional development or research.[14] At the time of her award, Davis commented that teaching was only one important part of her job at the college, and that she especially liked academic advising and mentoring, because the interaction with students was rewarding and enjoyable.[14] At the time of her award, Davis was also serving as an academic adviser in the college's biology department.[14]

Davis was promoted to full professor in 1998, and she retired in December 2001.[2][15][16] She was granted the status of professor emerita of biology and chemistry in 2002.[2][15][17]

Davis served as a longtime faculty sponsor and adviser of Potomac State College's Life Sciences Club,[2][14] and she accompanied club members on their annual trips to The Bahamas.[14] Also at the college, she was a member of multiple committees[2] and was active in faculty governance as a member of the college's Academic Advisement Committee, the Athletic Council, and the Assessment Council.[14] In addition, Davis taught the college's American Heart Association cardiopulmonary resuscitation classes,[12][13][14] sponsored the Regional High School Science Fair held at the college,[12][13][14] and was a faculty adviser to the college's cheerleaders.[12][13]

Davis was a lifelong member of the American Association of University Women and the West Virginia Association for Women in Higher Education.[1][2][14] Davis was also a member of the Irvin Stewart Society of West Virginia University,[1][2][18] and the Ernest and Katharine Church Society of Potomac State College.[1][2] She served as a faculty member of West Virginia University Chapter of Alpha Epsilon Delta.[1][2][14]

In October 2008, Davis made a substantial income-producing donation of approximately $1 million to the West Virginia University Foundation on behalf of Potomac State College.[2][15][16] She made this endowment to support scholarships in nursing in memory of her mother, Ruth Ward Davis.[2][15][16] Davis' donation was the largest single contribution ever made to Potomac State College.[1][2][15][16] On January 17, 2009, a reception was held to honor Davis for her donation at the Moran Manor Health Care Center, where she was residing at the time.[15][19][20] The reception consisted of friends, family, and former colleagues and students.[21] Potomac State College also recognized Davis' gift by compiling a memory book containing memories shared by former students, faculty colleagues, and friends of Davis.[15]

While in Keyser, Davis resided at 161 Center Street.[1][2] Due to health issues, Davis relocated from her residence to Moran Manor Health Care Center in Westernport, Maryland.[1][2] Davis died on September 18, 2009 at Potomac Valley Hospital in Keyser.[1][2] Her funeral services were held at Markwood Funeral Home on September 22, which was followed by a memorial reception at the campus of Potomac State College.[1][2] Davis' ashes were inurned at Queens Meadow Point Cemetery in Keyser.[1][2]

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