Like many high schoolers, I faced the daunting task of choosing a college to spend my next four years at just sixteen. The COVID-19 pandemic gave me time to fully dive into the process, starting with a spreadsheet of 160 schools and attending numerous virtual calls. While I don’t remember many specifics from those calls, I realized that I wanted a college where open, honest conversation and the exchange of challenging ideas could thrive.
As I narrowed down my list, I began to focus more on the importance of campus dialogue—something that wasn’t often discussed on tours. Caught up in the allure of prestige, majors, and quirky traditions, I nearly lost sight of what truly mattered to me: the freedom of open discourse.
When deciding between two schools for early decision, I asked both their representatives the same question: “How open is this campus to discussion?” The first responded dismissively, almost shocked by the question, revealing a closed mindset that became evident during my campus visit.
The second school’s representative, however, paused and thoughtfully explained how the campus encourages diverse thought processes, ideas, backgrounds, and life experiences in order to provoke deeper discussions and challenge each student’s preconceived notions. After that conversation, I knew without hesitation that Davidson College was my first choice.
In October 2022, I reached out to the Faculty Director of Davidson’s Deliberative Citizenship Initiative (DCI) and received a reply from Professor Graham Bullock. He wrote, “This is very much the focus of Davidson’s DCI, which is committed to creating spaces for students, faculty, staff, alums, and the broader community to engage with the difficult issues facing our society and community.” Little did I know that two years later, I would become part of this initiative, fully committed to its mission.
My first year at Davidson came with challenges. As an 18-year-old entering a new environment with people from vastly different backgrounds, I had to navigate new perspectives. Growing up in debate, I was used to open conversations, but class discussions required a balance between sharing ideas and being comfortable doing so. Although I was used to challenging my thoughts and perspectives, I sometimes felt that there was only one narrative allowed in discussions. While I understand we often have strongly-held views about particular issues that come up in the classroom, in my opinion, class discussions should not be a form of debate in which there are winners and losers; in fact, that mentality makes us all losers. Instead, there should be an openness to listen, disagree, agree, or potentially change your mind; however, if we go into a space closed off to being challenged, it creates a divisive classroom setting.
During the 2023-2024 school year, Davidson faced key issues like campus protests, police violence, and free speech. One moment stood out: in the midst of the Middle East conflict, a professor paused the scheduled lesson to create space for discussion. For that class of 30 students, the opportunity to reflect and challenge assumptions solidified what I believe college should be—a place to learn, engage, and grow together.
When I shared this experience with friends at other schools, they were shocked we had space for such a discussion. Some didn’t even know what was happening on their own campuses and, when they tried to find space to process, faced hostility. Their frustration made me question what a college education should offer and what students should consider when choosing a school.
Reflecting on my time at Davidson, I’m incredibly grateful for the unique opportunity to engage in meaningful deliberation, both through the DCI and in the classroom. Being here is about more than just academic learning; it’s about personal discovery—understanding what I truly value and believe. College should provide a space where we can challenge, reinforce, and reshape our beliefs, and that kind of growth is essential not just for our minds, but for our souls.
As a tour guide, I always end my tours by explaining why I chose Davidson: its commitment to deliberation and its respect for diverse perspectives. This is what sets Davidson apart for me—an institution that fosters learning through dialogue while creating safe spaces for growth.
To current and future students, faculty, and staff, I urge you to embrace this commitment to deliberation. Having difficult conversations isn’t easy, but it’s a vital part of growth. The ability to articulate our thoughts, engage with others, and remain open to change is a lifelong skill that I believe we should all strive to nurture.
