20 Years and Counting
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Davies' Scholarship Supports Butler Students Year After Year
"One who drinks the water should remember the spring."
This ancient Chinese proverb perfectly captures the commitment John Davies ’49 has for Butler University. John first enrolled at Butler in 1944 after graduating from Shortridge High School.
Finding that Butler had just as many social opportunities as academic ones, John says he never missed a party or a dance; but he soon learned that his social adventures did not mix well with classroom expectations. After a rocky start, he was taken under the wing of his faculty advisor and encouraged by his future wife, the late Margie Sullivan ’47, to refocus his energies on his grades. He successfully accomplished that goal and, as most young men did during World War II, enlisted in the Army after his freshman year.
Because of the individual attention he had received—and the charms of that certain coed named Margie—John knew that after his discharge from the Army, he had to return to Butler to complete his degree. He and Margie, grateful for the opportunities provided by Butler, made a commitment to remember the place where it all began through philanthropy. In 1994 they established the John Davies Family Endowed Scholarship to benefit students majoring in journalism or any of the disciplines in the College of Business.
Recently back on Butler's campus for Homecoming, John took time to reflect on his years at Butler. He was able to do so with the two current recipients of the scholarship: Blaire Langlois ’16, a women's basketball player and accounting major, and Sam O'Neill ’15, a finance/management information systems double major and member of the men's tennis team.
"Personally meeting Mr. Davies was fantastic," Sam says, "I could really express how grateful I am for his help.
Blaire echoes that sentiment, "It was truly special to thank him in person.”
Both students remarked on the fun of being able to share their own Butler stories and experiences with John and to express their thanks for the opportunity to focus on their academics and athletics rather than worry about their finances. Both students hope to give back to Butler so they, too, can have an impact on future generations of students.
Today John is thankful that he "drank the water" that Butler offered. He continues to give annually, knowing that, just like his planned giving, it enables Butler to accomplish its goals and realize the University's mission. His gifts honor his many fond memories and the passion that he and Margie shared for Butler. Butler is grateful that he has remembered the spring.
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