Written by Randi Tubbs // Photo by Jeff Montgomery
Alumnus Terry Davis has been leading singing for the Harding community for decades. He enrolled in Harding as an undergraduate student in 1989, graduated in 1993 then graduated again with his master’s in 1997. Davis led singing at both of his Harding commencement ceremonies and has continuously been invited back to worship with and lead the student body in song.
Davis said he led singing while he was in high school at Greater Atlanta Christian School. He almost gave up on his aspirations to be a song leader until he was encouraged to continue at Harding. As a student at Harding, Davis led singing frequently, especially on the high school visiting days in chapel.
“Harding helped me continue to use my gift,” Davis said. “I encourage all students to find and use their gifts from God. Don’t take for granted the opportunities given to you daily. I love the Harding student body and can’t wait until the next time.”
He worked with past and current Harding presidents David Burks and Mike Williams during his time as a student and after, which has contributed to his continued involvement with the Harding community.
Davis and assistant professor of Bible and ministry Jason Darden go back 20 years. They attended the same church in Atlanta when Darden was a teenager and have kept in touch ever since. Darden considers Davis a mentor in his faith along with his love for Harding.
“Terry has a bubbly, infectious personality,” Darden said. “I’ve never seen Terry have a bad day and he’s just by nature an encourager. His love for Harding also runs super deep. Terry graduated from Harding and still comes back all these years later. That tells me a lot about his character and his love for this university.”
Davis named himself the “Unofficial Ambassador” to Harding, because of his own advocacy and the steady invitations from admissions to come for the Black and Gold visitation days and off-campus events such as Exposure and Winterfest.
Davis normally coordinates with Scott Hannigan, director of Admissions, and/or Logan Light, assistant dean for Campus Life and Chapel Programs, to make sure when he visits campus that he can help out in any way he can.
“I’ve always thought that Terry has a gift to share joy in such a unique way,” Light said. “It becomes infectious and his zeal for worship is authentic to who he is whether he is leading singing or not. He enjoys being here, and I think that students, faculty and staff pick up on that.”
Light said Davis brings an energy to campus that cannot be ignored and that anyone can learn something from him.
“Believe it or not, Terry has bad days too … but he has a depth of faith and joy that surpasses the circumstantial,” Light said. “It is a reminder to me, and I’m sure to others, that no matter what life brings us, we can find ways to praise God and hold onto the hope of the everlasting. I’m grateful for the time Terry spends with us on campus, and anytime his schedule allows, I enjoy having him lead us.”
