Dr. Lowell E. Davis served as dean during an important phase of USF St. Petersburg's history. He arrived in August 1986 and promptly set into motion an agenda that supported the expansion of course offerings and academic majors at USF St. Petersburg. Davis took a strong position in advocating greater autonomy and independence for the growing campus at a time when many Tampa-based administrators hoped to limit curricular initiatives at the University's "branch" campuses. His untimely death in the fall of 1989 slowed the process but did not extinguish the dreams of greater autonomy. Subsequent administrators at USF St. Petersburg have benefited from the university and community leadership that defined Lowell Davis's tenure as dean.
Pearl Williamson, a longtime staff member who worked closely with Dr. Davis, provided the Poynter Library with a notebook containing a representative collection of his speeches at USF St. Petersburg, other academic institutions, and various organizations. He offered these speeches as the part of his outreach during his tenure as USFSP's Dean. These transcripts illustrate his strong concern for ensuring academic excellence for all students, as well as his special concern for increasing opportunities for African American students. In nearly every speech, Davis reflected on his role as an administrator of the campus. A finding aid is available for this collection.
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Submissions from 2007
Speeches of Lowell E. Davis, Dean of USF St. Petersburg, 1986 - 1989 : A Collection Guide, Nelson Poynter Memorial Library. Special Collections and University Archives.
Submissions from 1989
Intellect and Humanity : Instruments of Life, Lowell E. Davis
Let Us Go Back to Our Old Campgrounds, Lowell E. Davis
Mission of Masonry and Free Men Everywhere, Lowell E. Davis
The Cadet and the Character, Lowell E. Davis
Submissions from 1988
Join in Celebrating Black History Month, Lowell E. Davis
Making History - Providing Hope, Lowell E. Davis
The 3 D's : Dedication, Determination, and Discipline, Lowell E. Davis
Submissions from 1987
A Future Look at USF - St. Pete, Lowell E. Davis
Hospice Address, Lowell E. Davis
Redrafting the Veteran (Teacher), Lowell E. Davis
[Remarks to Downtown St. Petersburg] Rotary Club, Lowell E. Davis
That Power which Gives Immortality, Lowell E. Davis
Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Lowell E. Davis
You Have Everything Before You, Lowell E. Davis, James Anthony Schnur, and Shawn Reynolds
Submissions from 1986
Comments to Campus Advisory Board Executive Committee, Lowell E. Davis
Florida Mental Health Banquet [Remarks], Lowell E. Davis
SPJC Annual Fall Meeting [Remarks], Lowell E. Davis
United Way Speech, Lowell E. Davis
USF St. Pete Graduation Ceremony, Lowell E. Davis