History and Motivation for Program
The Davies-Fahrner Civic Impact Scholars program grew out of the Davies Community Service Leaders program and Fahrner summer network program. The Davies Program, since its inception in 2004, has placed over 200 students in project-based internships in 33 local agencies and organizations. These leaders have created programs, conducted research, built capacity, and developed networks. Each student committed to a minimum of 300 hours over the summer or 300 hours during the school year, some committing to both and multiple years of service. Over the past five years, the Fahrner summer network program supported four to seven summer community-based projects that partnered faculty and students to conduct projects in response to community requests.
The Davies-Fahrner Civic Impact Scholars program is a new, expanded, and combined version of the Davies program and the Fahrner summer network program. Students in the Davies-Fahrner Civic Impact Scholars program are recruited into Allegheny as a 10-member cohort. As the program grows to capacity, there will be a total of 40 students spanning four academic classes. Civic Impact Scholars focus on local projects of economic development and educational preparedness.
Davies Family Legacy
John Llewellyn (Lew) Davies graduated from Allegheny College in 1940 with a double major in business and economics. Having worked his way through college, he formed close contacts in downtown Meadville and created a legacy of good citizenship long after he returned from WWII. In 1948, he married Eleanor (Ellie) Bainer, and together they dedicated their lives to economic growth and sustainable community initiatives within the Meadville area. After Lew’s death in 2003, the Davies family created the Davies Community Service Leaders Program to fund student internships that would continue Lew’s legacy of civic engagement. Ellie Davies took a personal interest in the local activities of the Allegheny College students who carry on the Davies Legacy of community service. She hosted biannual gatherings with the students and was an integral part of working with community partners and the development of the program. After her death, Jack and Steve Davies, sons of Lew and Ellie, continue their family legacy in supporting college-community connections through student service-learning.
Visit the Davies website for more information on Lew and his inspirational family: www.sites.allegheny.edu/davies