John B. Davis, Jr

from the Macalester Public Knowledge Base

• Mac president 1975-1984.
• Saved Mac from bankruptcy: Took office with the college in debt. DeWitt Wallace, Mac's only major donor at the time, had stopped giving because of what he saw as overspending. John Davis pledged to keep the budget balanced and regained Wallace's trust. Wallace resumed giving, including a substantial final gift to Mac's endowment.
• Once told student protesters occupying his outer office, "The U.S. Constitution protects the rights of its people to assemble. I applaud your exercise of that right….Please have a good day." Then he went inside and got to work.
• Trademark: a bow tie.
• Lives in the Twin Cities, visits campus periodically.
• John B. Davis Lecture Hall named for him