Davidson was a member of the first graduating class from Samford’s Homewood campus. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in biology, Davidson went on to have a successful career helping countless people in medicine.
Davidson was a renowned eye surgeon at Callahan Eye Foundation, now known as UAB Callahan Eye. He died in March 2024 at the age of 86.
As a student at Samford, Davidson was an active member of the student body, serving as president during his senior year. He was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity, Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society and Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society member.
In a 2007 edition of Seasons magazine, Davidson reflected on one of his favorite Samford memories—when he had the opportunity to carry the campus flagpole from the former East Lake campus to Lakeshore Drive.
“Samford was formative in David’s life. It was not just a school he went to. It taught him how to think and values he held throughout his career of helping others,” said Gary Fenton, a recently retired development officer who befriended Davidson over the last five years.
When donors, like Davidson, establish estate or planned gifts, they become members of Samford’s 1841 Society, which recognizes and celebrates donors who share a common bond of philanthropy, a love of Samford and the vision to provide for future generations of Samford students. “It’s a true picture of planting seeds that will sustain Samford’s future,” said Bo Kerr, assistant vice president for university advancement.
This story was first published in the summer 2025 issue of Samford Magazine (formerly known as Seasons). You can read the issue online.
