Senior Circuit...Jasmine DavisJasmine Davis may have grown up in Spartanburg, but she wasn’t initially planning on staying around for her higher education.
“Even though I am a native, I never even considered attending Wofford until the summer of 2005,” she says. “I thought I was ready to leave Spartanburg for good and had my mind set on attending the University of South Carolina upon graduation from Boiling Springs High School. Everything changed when I was selected to attend the Milliken Summer Leadership Institute that is held here every summer. I enjoyed the camp and learned so much about Wofford in that one week that I was ready to apply before I even began my senior year of high school!
“My mom, who is definitely my biggest supporter, encouraged me and told me not to procrastinate and to submit my application early. I still thank her for that advice today. I received my acceptance letter in December of 2005 and have been a proud member of the Wofford community ever since.”
A valuable member, at that. Just look at this list of activities and organizations she has been involved in…
• Bonner Scholar (has volunteered at various places in the Spartanburg community since her first year)
• The United Voices of Victory Gospel Choir
• The Association of Multicultural Students
• The Transitions Program
• Alpha Phi Omega (since her freshman year)
• The Spanish Academy at E.P. Todd Elementary School (co-founder who has taught Spanish to students there once a week for approximately two years now)
• The Wofford College Dance Team
• Wofford Activities Council
• The Wofford Women of Color organization (helped re-charter it and became president shortly thereafter)
As if that’s not enough, she has a full plate academically, as well. She did trim down to one major early on.
“I am majoring in S
panish with a minor in business and a concentration in Latin American and Caribbean studies,” says Davis. “My major changed first semester of my sophomore year here at Wofford and I officially declared my major at the end of my sophomore year. I originally came to Wofford planning to major in both chemistry and Spanish but that changed during my sophomore year when I took my first Latin American and Caribbean studies course and my third Spanish course here at Wofford. The professors were and still are extremely dedicated to what they teach, and that made my decision to only major in Spanish major easy.”
Naturally, her favorite memory of Wofford involves her Spanish studies.
“My favorite memory would have to be my semester abroad that I spent in Santiago, Dominican Republic,” says Davis (see picture, above right). “My time abroad was definitely an enriching experience that humbled me and caused me to be more appreciative of the smaller things in life. While I was in the Dominican Republic I did something that I thought I would never do and that was climb a mountain. I am not ashamed to say that I am afraid of heights, but that day I overcame my fear and was ecstatic when I made it to the top. As the saying goes, ‘Never say never,’ because you really never know where life may take you, or to what heights.”
For now, Davis’ plan is to further her education after graduation.
“I plan to attend graduate school for either a master’s degree of hospital administration or business administration, and obtain a dual master’s degree in Spanish as well. I will be applying to several schools before graduation and preparing to leave Spartanburg after residing here for 21 years.”
It’s been a busy three-plus years so far. Does Davis have any advice for those who, unlike her, are just beginning their Wofford career?
“I would encourage the freshmen to get involved,” she says. “Take advantage of the many wonderful opportunities that Wofford has to offer.”