Winchester, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Dr. James A. Davis's Legacy

"It's going to be a lot of fun."

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, December 18, 2025

1. Dr. James A. Davis's Legacy Marker

Inscription.

Dr. James A. Davis's Legacy. "It's going to be a lot of fun.". When James A. Davis, a native of southwest Virginia, former member of Virginia's House of Delegates, and administrator at Ferrum College, took office as Shenandoah's 15th president on January 1, 1982, the institution faced various challenges. Undaunted, Davis viewed this as an opportunity to expand the institution and strengthen its ties with the community. "It's going to be a lot of fun," Davis told a newspaper reporter., Driven by an entrepreneurial mindset, Shenandoah experienced remarkable growth throughout Davis's 26-year presidency. In addition to overseeing various construction projects on campus and acquiring additional property, which expanded Shenandoah's footprint from 45 to 123 acres, new schools were established, including pharmacy and business, key components of the institution today. During Davis's presidency, on January 1, 1991, the institution became Shenandoah University., While Davis indeed possessed, as James R. Wilkins, Sr., president of Shenandoah's board of trustees at the time Davis was hired, "a fine, quick mind ... capable of grasping almost any situation and finding the correct solution," his leadership encompassed much more. "Davis was a remarkable leader because he displayed genuine care for students, their interests, and their lives," recalled Jonathan Noyalas '01, a history major at Shenandoah during Davis's tenure as president., (captions) , Throughout his time as president, James A. Davis, Ph.D., always made time for students and frequently dined with them in the university's dining hall to discuss their concerns, studies, and life. (Shenandoah University's Huffer-McAdams Memorial Archives), A historian by training, President Davis authored a few books during his career including Rules of Civility for a Modern Society, published in 2007. (Shenandoah University's Huffer-McAdams Memorial Archives), James A. Davis, Ph.D., president of Shenandoah from 1982-2008, guided Shenandoah to becoming a university in 1991. (Shenandoah University's Huffer-McAdams Memorial Archives), The building in front of you, Davis Hall, was dedicated in 2008, to honor Davis's many contributions.

When James A. Davis, a native of southwest Virginia, former member of Virginia's House of Delegates, and administrator at Ferrum College, took office as Shenandoah's 15th president on January 1, 1982, the institution faced various challenges. Undaunted, Davis viewed this as an opportunity to expand the institution and strengthen its ties with the community. "It's going to be a lot of fun," Davis told a newspaper reporter.

Driven by an entrepreneurial mindset, Shenandoah experienced remarkable growth throughout Davis's 26-year presidency. In addition to overseeing various construction projects on campus and acquiring additional property, which expanded Shenandoah's footprint from 45 to 123 acres, new schools were established, including pharmacy and business—key components of the institution today. During Davis's presidency, on January 1, 1991, the institution became Shenandoah University.

While Davis indeed possessed, as James R. Wilkins, Sr., president of Shenandoah's board of trustees at the time Davis was hired, "a fine, quick mind ... capable of grasping almost any situation and finding the correct solution," his

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leadership encompassed much more. "Davis was a remarkable leader because he displayed genuine care for students, their interests, and their lives," recalled Jonathan Noyalas '01, a history major at Shenandoah during Davis's tenure as president.

(captions)
Throughout his time as president, James A. Davis, Ph.D., always made time for students and frequently dined with them in the university's dining hall to discuss their concerns, studies, and life. (Shenandoah University's Huffer-McAdams Memorial Archives)

A historian by training, President Davis authored a few books during his career including Rules of Civility for a Modern Society, published in 2007. (Shenandoah University's Huffer-McAdams Memorial Archives)

James A. Davis, Ph.D., president of Shenandoah from 1982-2008, guided Shenandoah to becoming a university in 1991. (Shenandoah University's Huffer-McAdams Memorial Archives)

The building in front of you, Davis Hall, was dedicated in 2008, to honor Davis's many contributions.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Education. A significant historical date for this entry is January 1, 1991.

Location. 39° 10.123′ N,

Davis Hall / Winchester-Frederick County Visitor Center image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, December 18, 2025

2. Davis Hall / Winchester-Frederick County Visitor Center

78° 9.694′ W. Marker is in Winchester, Virginia. It can be reached from South Pleasant Valley Road north of Millwood Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1400 S Pleasant Valley Rd, Winchester VA 22601, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The First Battle of Winchester (a few steps from this marker); The Hollingsworth Family Settlement (within shouting distance of this marker); Abram’s Delight (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named

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Abram's Delight (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Wilkins Lake (about 600 feet away); Shawnee Springs Hospital (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Peacemakers (approx. ¼ mile away); "Dayton Kissing Rock" (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Winchester.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Abram’s Delight (was about 300 feet away but has been reported to have been replaced with another marker now near it).

Also see . . . Shenandoah University Honors The Life And Legacy Of President Emeritus James A. Davis. October 10, 2025 (Submitted on December 19, 2025.)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 19, 2025, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 58 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 19, 2025, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.