Livingstone College names new president

Seven months after Livingstone College President Jimmy R. Jenkins announced his retirement, the school on Thursday announced his replacement — Anthony J. Davis, Livingstone’s current chief operating officer and senior vice president of institutional advancement.

Davis, who graduated from Livingstone in 2001, will become the school’s 13th president.

In a statement released by the college, Davis said he was happy and humbled by his appointment, which was made during the board of trustees’ fall meeting.

“Twenty-one years ago, I started on this journey to become president,” he said. “It is true what poet Langston Hughes said, ‘Dreams don’t die, they are deferred.’”

As chair of Livingstone’s COVID-19 task force, Davis was credited with leading the school though pandemic restrictions. As chief operating offices, he manages its daily operations. He also supervises Livingstone’s fundraising efforts.

“The Search Committee was very intentional on finding someone that would embrace students, understand the culture of the school and be familiar with the community,” board Chair Bishop Kenneth Monroe said in the statement.