Davidson College Cultural Transitions

Stop for a minute to hear this complete narrative.

While Davidson College is well known for basketball today, basketball, in the mid 1900s, served as a socially transcending force for Davidson children. Young children from African American, white, and mill families would gather on the court to play basketball without prejudicial surveillance from parents and broader society. This is one of the earliest examples of rebellion against social divisions.

These transitions can partially be attributed to the change in the student body’s diversity.

Here is a brief summary of Davidsons diversity timeline:

- In the year 1890 the first international student was admitted from Switzerland,

- 1900 was when the first Persian student entered,

- 1921 the first Chinese student was admitted,

- 1931 the First Jewish student and 7 Latino students were enrolled,

- The first African American students entered Davidson in the Fall of 1964,

- It wasn't until 1965 that Jewish and catholic students could attend synagogue or church instead of the Presbyterian Church,

- 1972 was the official start of coeducation although daughters of professors had attended classes since 1860,

- The first gay support group was formed in 1986,

- In 1989 Davidson started providing services for learning disabilities.

Today, Davidson’s student population is composed of

- 30% domestic students of color,

- 11% international students, and

- there are 6% more female than male identifying students.

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