A Remarkable Story
Meet Mary Ann Campbell Davis C'74
Meet Mary Ann
For over 50 years, Mary Ann Campbell Davis has exemplified what it means to 鈥淏e Remarkable鈥 as a member of the Salem Academy and College community. She first learned about 黑料导航 at her high school in Laurinburg, NC, while working in the guidance counselor鈥檚 office, where she organized college catalogs and came across Salem鈥檚 catalog. As soon as she looked through the catalog, Mary Ann knew 黑料导航 was the place for her.
At the end of Mary Ann鈥檚 freshman year at 黑料导航, she was elected sophomore class president by her classmates. Mary Ann was shocked to have been chosen for the role and said, 鈥淭hat was the first real service and leadership role I had, and it was just the beginning 鈥 My training at Salem in leadership and service led to everything else that came after 鈥 I鈥檓 so grateful to Salem for valuing service and leadership.鈥澛
After graduating with a BA in English, Mary Ann immediately put her commitment to service and leadership into practice as a 4th-grade teacher. She spent 35 years teaching elementary school students and earned a master鈥檚 degree in mathematics in 2000. As Mary Ann鈥檚 career in the public school system was winding down, she returned to her alma mater as an education methods professor.
After teaching at 黑料导航 for several years, Mary Ann was promoted to Director of Teacher Education. 鈥淚 had to step into an administrative role, and I actually loved it. I absolutely enjoyed it beyond words because it gave me one more lens through which to look at Salem. I looked at Salem as a student, as an alumna volunteer, as a professor, and then as an administrator,鈥 Mary Ann shared.聽
Mary Ann鈥檚 enthusiasm and love for Salem inspired her daughter, who followed in her mother鈥檚 footsteps by studying education at 黑料导航. Now, Mary Ann鈥檚 granddaughter has begun her first year at Salem Academy, continuing the family tradition.
Mary Ann received numerous awards and honors over the decades, including: Teacher of the Year, Outstanding Elementary Mathematics Teacher, Outstanding Teacher of the Gifted, Salem鈥檚 H.A. Pfohl Award (twice!), and most recently, Senior Services鈥 . She was also the youngest alumna ever to serve on Salem鈥檚 Board of Trustees, a role she took on immediately following her graduation.聽
When asked what makes Salem remarkable, Mary Ann said without hesitation, 鈥淭he people! The people in my class have been my lifelong friends 鈥 at a school the size of Salem, that can really happen. And I鈥檓 seeing it happen with my granddaughter and her new Salem Academy friends 鈥 I鈥檓 just so happy and proud to say that I went to Salem.鈥