Ruth Ann Davis
Ruth Ann Davis (May 25, 1936 – September 18, 2009) was an American educator and academic in the U.S. states of Michigan and West Virginia. In 2008, Davis donated the largest single contribution ever made to Potomac State College of West Virginia University, to support scholarships in nursing in memory of her mother, Ruth Ward Davis.
Ruth Ann Davis, Ph.D. | |
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![]() The Catamount portrait, 1956 | |
Born | Keyser, West Virginia, U.S. | May 25, 1936
Died | September 18, 2009 73) Potomac Valley Hospital, Keyser, West Virginia, U.S. | (aged
Burial place | Queens Meadow Point Cemetery, Keyser, West Virginia, U.S. |
Occupation(s) | Educator and academic |
Academic background | |
Alma mater | Potomac State College (AA) West Virginia University (BA) West Virginia University (MS) Wayne State University School of Medicine (Ph.D.) |
Academic work | |
Sub-discipline | biology, physiology, and zoology |
Institutions | West Virginia University Department of Biology (1959–1962) Clark College Department of Biology (1962–1964) Wayne State University Department of Physiology (1964–1968) Sinai Hospital (1968–1981) Ross Medical Education Center (1983) Potomac State College (1983–2001) |
Davis was born in Keyser, West Virginia, in 1936, and graduated from Keyser High School as valedictorian and an honor student in 1954. She earned her Associate of Arts degree in pre-medicine from Potomac State College in 1956, her Bachelor of Arts in pre-medicine at West Virginia University in 1959, her Master of Science degree in zoology from West Virginia University in 1964, and her Doctor of Philosophy degree in physiology from Wayne State University School of Medicine in 1969. From 1968 to 1981, Davis served as the medical technologies and laboratory supervisor at Sinai Hospital (present-day Sinai-Grace Hospital), and in 1983, she served as a clinical instructor at Ross Medical Education Center.
Davis returned to Keyser to care for her elderly parents in 1983, and served as a professor of biology and chemistry at Potomac State College. She taught courses in chemistry, biology, medical science, nursing, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. In 1995, Davis was named Potomac State College's Outstanding Professor of the Year. She was promoted to full professor in 1998, retired in 2001, and was granted the status of professor emerita of biology and chemistry in 2002. In 2008, Davis made a substantial income-producing donation of approximately $1 million to the West Virginia University Foundation on behalf of Potomac State College, which was the largest single contribution to Potomac State. Davis died in Keyser in 2009.
Early life and education
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]
Academic studies
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]
Academic career
![](../I/Science_Administration_and_Academy_Hall_11June2020.jpg.webp)
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]
Organizational affiliations and philanthropy
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]
Later life and death
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]
References
Citations
- "Obituaries: Dr. Ruth Ann Davis". Mineral Daily News-Tribune. Keyser, West Virginia. September 21, 2009. p. 2. Archived from the original on October 9, 2023. Retrieved October 8, 2023 – via Potomac State College of West Virginia University, Mary F. Shipper Library, West Virginia Newspapers.
- "Dr. Ruth Ann Davis [Keyser]". Cumberland Times-News. Cumberland, Maryland. September 19, 2009. Archived from the original on February 21, 2022. Retrieved February 21, 2022.
- West Virginia Archives and History (2022). "Birth Record Detail: Ruth Ann Davis". West Virginia Vital Records Database website. West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History, West Virginia Archives and History. Archived from the original on February 22, 2022. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
- "Obituaries: Mrs. Ruth W. Davis". Mineral Daily News-Tribune. Keyser, West Virginia. March 20, 1985. p. 4. Archived from the original on October 9, 2023. Retrieved October 8, 2023 – via Potomac State College of West Virginia University, Mary F. Shipper Library, West Virginia Newspapers.
- West Virginia Archives and History (2021). "Record ID: 3036 for Ann Davis". West Virginia Golden Horseshoe Database website. West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History, West Virginia Archives and History. Archived from the original on February 22, 2022. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
- "Faculty Promoted, Tenured". Alumni News. Vol. 30, no. 1. Keyser, West Virginia: Potomac State College Alumni Association. Fall 1991. p. 3. Retrieved February 21, 2022 – via the Internet Archive.
- "Potomac: Professor emerita recognized for gift to college". Cumberland Times-News. Cumberland, Maryland. February 15, 2009. p. 2C. Archived from the original on February 21, 2022. Retrieved February 21, 2022 – via NewspaperArchive.com.
- "Many Earn Degrees At West Virginia". Cumberland Evening Times. Cumberland, Maryland. June 4, 1959. p. 8. Archived from the original on February 22, 2022. Retrieved February 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Keyser Woman Ph.D. Recipient". Mineral Daily News-Tribune. Keyser, West Virginia. June 23, 1969. p. 3. Archived from the original on October 9, 2023. Retrieved October 8, 2023 – via Potomac State College of West Virginia University, Mary F. Shipper Library, West Virginia Newspapers.
- "Gets Degree". Cumberland Evening Times. Cumberland, Maryland. June 27, 1969. p. 8. Archived from the original on February 22, 2022. Retrieved February 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- Davis 1969, p. title page.
- "Six PSC faculty earn tenure or promotion". Pasquino. Keyser, West Virginia. October 31, 1991. p. 3. Archived from the original on October 9, 2023. Retrieved October 8, 2023 – via Potomac State College of West Virginia University, Mary F. Shipper Library, West Virginia Newspapers.
- "Potomac State promotions earned". The Weekender. Keyser, West Virginia. October 19, 1991. p. 3. Archived from the original on October 9, 2023. Retrieved October 8, 2023 – via Potomac State College of West Virginia University, Mary F. Shipper Library, West Virginia Newspapers.
- "Dr. Ruth Ann Davis is PSC Outstanding Professor of 1995". Mineral Daily News-Tribune. Keyser, West Virginia. July 6, 1995. p. 12. Archived from the original on October 9, 2023. Retrieved October 8, 2023 – via Potomac State College of West Virginia University, Mary F. Shipper Library, West Virginia Newspapers.
- "Potomac State to honor professor for gift to college". Cumberland Times-News. Cumberland, Maryland. January 6, 2009. Archived from the original on February 21, 2022. Retrieved February 21, 2022.
- "Potomac State receives largest gift in college history" (PDF). News from the West Virginia University Foundation. Morgantown, West Virginia: West Virginia University Foundation, West Virginia University. Winter 2009. p. 3. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 21, 2022. Retrieved February 21, 2022.
- "PSC gets historic donation". Mineral Daily News-Tribune. Keyser, West Virginia. November 3, 2008. p. 24. Archived from the original on October 9, 2023. Retrieved October 8, 2023 – via Potomac State College of West Virginia University, Mary F. Shipper Library, West Virginia Newspapers.
- West Virginia University Foundation 2021, p. 4 of the PDF.
- "Potomac State honors Professor Emerita Ruth Davis with reception: Retired biology, chemistry educator made largest single gift to Keyser college". Cumberland Times-News. Cumberland, Maryland. February 15, 2009. p. 1C. Archived from the original on February 21, 2022. Retrieved February 21, 2022 – via NewspaperArchive.com.
- "Potomac State honors professor emerita of bio, chem with reception". The Dominion Post. Morgantown, West Virginia. February 8, 2009. p. 4-H. Archived from the original on February 22, 2022. Retrieved February 21, 2022 – via NewspaperArchive.com.
- Trezise, Rene (February 2, 2009). "Davis honored for record-breaking contribution". Mineral Daily News-Tribune. Keyser, West Virginia. p. 1. Archived from the original on October 9, 2023. Retrieved October 8, 2023 – via Potomac State College of West Virginia University, Mary F. Shipper Library, West Virginia Newspapers.
Bibliography
- Davis, Ruth Ann (1969). Platelet Cothromboplastin: A Comparative Study of Platelet Factors 3 and 7 (PhD thesis). Detroit: Wayne State University. Archived from the original on October 9, 2023. Retrieved October 8, 2023 – via ProQuest.
- West Virginia University Foundation (December 12, 2021). Irvin Stewart Society Member List (PDF). Morgantown, West Virginia: West Virginia University Foundation, West Virginia University. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 27, 2021. Retrieved February 21, 2022.
External links
Media related to Ruth Ann Davis at Wikimedia Commons