In memoriam: Dewey Davis, first UTSA professor, dies at age 86

Top photo: Dewey Davis and his wife, Ruth Davis (2009)
Middle photo: Dewey Davis with students (1973)
Bottom photo: Dewey Davis (1972)

By Rebecca Luther
Director of Communications, Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

(Sept. 25, 2014) -- UTSA's first faculty member, Dewey D. Davis, passed away Sept. 17 at age 86. A first-generation college graduate who specialized in science education, Davis worked at UTSA for 15 years but remained a fixture at the university until his death.

"Dewey was a brilliant scholar who gave generously of his time and talents to help build UTSA," said Dean Betty Merchant of the College of Education and Human Development. "I always looked forward to seeing him and to learning about the latest scientific discoveries that had caught his interest.

"He was beloved and respected by all who had the good fortune to know him."

Davis came to UTSA in 1971 as a consultant to the campus architects. At the time, he was an associate professor at Sam Houston State University. In May of that year, he was hired by UTSA as a professor and chair of the Department of Education.

In notifying the UT System of UTSA's first faculty appointment, President Arleigh Templeton wrote of Davis, "He is extremely well read in the field of education, is an outstanding teacher, and will bring much in the way of innovative and practical ideas into our teacher-training program."

With a background in biology, chemistry and social studies in addition to education, Davis also was tasked to contribute to the development of university-wide programs at the fledgling university. In the two years before the university began classes in 1973, he spent part of his time traveling around the country to learn about programming at other universities and to recruit potential graduate students as well as the university's founding faculty.

"He welcomed new faculty with a warmth but also a seriousness about the mission we faced and the responsibilities this work meant," said Rosalind Horowitz, professor of interdisciplinary learning and teaching. "He had a vision for UTSA that captured his life, his mind and soul. He believed in the possibilities, well into the future, for UTSA."

Her sentiments are echoed by Jesse Zapata, senior vice provost for academic and faculty support at the Downtown Campus.

"Dewey was a very generous and supportive faculty member," said Zapata. "When I arrived in 1976, he went out of his way to make me feel welcome; he even took me out to lunch a few times to talk and see how I was doing.

"As a young faculty member, it was important to me to see a senior professor take such an interest in my development."

Davis retired from UTSA in 1986 and was awarded the title of professor emeritus in 1987. In his retirement, he continued to stay active on campus, most recently as a founding member of the Retired Faculty Association. He and his wife of 63 years, Ruth, were regular attendees at football and basketball games, faculty receptions and other campus events.

"Dewey was a good role model for other faculty in that regard," said Honors College Dean Richard Diem, who was interviewed by Davis when he joined UTSA in 1975. "He really set the standard in showing you how you might want to contribute to the university after you finish working here."

In addition to being generous with their time, the Davises have been regular donors to several areas within the university. In 1998, they established an endowed scholarship for undergraduate education students seeking secondary science certification.

Davis himself had benefited from a $100 scholarship given by the PTA at his Erie, Penn., high school. Though he was an honor student, Davis was one of seven children in a blue-collar family, and no one in his family or their circle of friends had gone to college. His high school principal even suggested he return the scholarship so that a student with better prospects might use it. Instead, Davis accepted the scholarship and worked his way through college and went on to earn a Ph.D. at UT Austin.

Along with his wife, Davis is survived by his daughters, Dawne Davis Haby and Darlene Davis Hodge -- both UTSA alumnae who followed in their father's footsteps and now are teachers -- and five grandchildren.

"Dewey Davis was steadfast and unyielding in his devotion and loyalty to UTSA throughout his career and into his retirement," said Horowitz. "He will be sorely missed and always remembered for his integrity, loyalty to higher education and devotion to the academy."

Davis will be buried in Pennsylvania. A local memorial service will be planned for a later date.

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