For over 50 years, Mary Ann Campbell Davis has exemplified what it means to “Be Remarkable” as a member of the Salem Academy and College community. She first learned about Salem College at her high school in Laurinburg, NC, while working in the guidance counselor’s office, where she organized college catalogs and came across Salem’s catalog. As soon as she looked through the catalog, Mary Ann knew Salem College was the place for her.

At the end of Mary Ann’s freshman year at Salem College, she was elected sophomore class president by her classmates. Mary Ann was shocked to have been chosen for the role and said, “That was the first real service and leadership role I had, and it was just the beginning … My training at Salem in leadership and service led to everything else that came after … I’m so grateful to Salem for valuing service and leadership.” 

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’s degree in mathematics in 2000. As Mary Ann’s career in the public school system was winding down, she returned to her alma mater as an education methods professor.

After teaching at Salem College for several years, Mary Ann was promoted to Director of Teacher Education. “I 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,” Mary Ann shared.