Journey Letter

Thousands of lifelong friendships have been born on the campus of Davis & Elkins College. At a holiday dinner for international students this past December, Lisa and I met two first-year students whose […]

At Davis & Elkins College, student success is not just a goal—it is the heart of everything we do. Often, the secret ingredient to that success is not found in a textbook or […]

Members of the Davis & Elkins College community are familiar with the historic campus mansions of Graceland and Halliehurst. But did you know there’s a third historic home on campus? In 1936, construction […]

“Cultures grow on the vine of tradition,” penned syndicated columnist Jonah Goldberg. A favorite tradition for me at Davis & Elkins College is the 1904 Society Gala which occurred on March 21. Inherent […]

“Learning in life never stops, even though the student grows older. And if so, the older I become, the younger I am.” These words of wisdom are penned by Dr. David Morrison, a […]

Some call him “Mr. Senator.” Sam Rolle, a fifth-year senior from Riviera Beach, Florida, has made his mark on the basketball court as well as within the Davis & Elkins community.  He embodies […]

You likely know the old cliché about always seeing the world through rose-colored glasses. In front of me as I type this column is a special pair of glasses through which I often […]

As has been true for so many across the country, including those in the deep south, the winter of 2025 has been a memorable one in the West Virginia mountains. From both alumni […]

“The unexamined life is not worth living.”  Socrates’ words remind me of the necessity to pause and reflect among the busyness and noise of modern life.  In these moments when we unplug, retreat […]

On a recent flight I had a talkative seatmate. When she discovered I was a private college president, she brought up a subject I frequently hear. It was the same subject I discussed […]

During the 2022 commencement season, our baccalaureate speaker offered a humorous observation congratulating the student-athletes of Davis & Elkins College as the only Senators getting anything done. While I will steer clear of […]

“Blessing” is a powerful word and a life-altering concept. In our increasingly divided and sometimes toxic society, blessings, both experienced and shared, are a salve on the wounds and pain we experience in […]