Jan Davidson Awarded Honorary Doctorate

25 Oct Jan Davidson Awarded Honorary Doctorate

Posted at 17:54h in Field Trips by

Nanette and Jan Davidson on the campus of the University of the South at Sewanee, TN.

A big congratulations to Jan Davidson for his honorary doctoral degree from the University of the South in Sewanee, TN! On October 6, Jan received an honorary doctorate of the fine arts for his accomplishments as folklorist and his leadership of the John C. Campbell Folk School. Jan retired earlier this year after 25 years of leadership.

During his tenure at the Folk School, Jan focused on programming, facility building and renovation, fundraising, historic preservation, and conservation. Under his direction, the school’s annual student enrollment has grown from 2500 students to an average of 6000 students. An accomplished writer, musician, and speaker, Jan has exemplified the Folk School’s mission of providing experiences in noncompetitive learning and community life that are joyful and enlivening.

Read an article about the award on The Sewanee Purple website. The Sewanee Purple is the student-run, student-published newspaper of The University of the South, located in Sewanee, Tennessee.

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  • Carol Smucker
    Posted at 22:02h, 26 October

    A well-deserved honor for a man of great humanity and accomplishment. Always positive with a great sense of humor, he worked tirelessly to promote, protect, and preserve the arts of Appalachia. A man of many talents he was always willing to share these with others. A storyteller, musician, writer, teacher….the list goes on and on. The University of the South is to be commended for recognizing Jan with this honor.

  • Rooney Floyd
    Posted at 09:41h, 28 October

    Well deserved, Brother! I am fortunate to have been associated with the school during your watch. Thanks especially for introducing me to the Folk School’s history. It started with your delightful “story” of the history of the school on Monday mornings. I claim to hold the record for number of times attending it. From there it went on to the many areas you pointed me and the hundreds and hundreds of hours of pleasure spent in the archives. May God bless you and your family richly always.–Rooney Floyd 10/28/17

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