April 10, 2007
Vanderbilt Cross Country freshman Thomas Davis was recently honored for his academic excellence, leadership abilities and community service at Vanderbilt’s Magnolia Awards Banquet.
Davis, a Louisville, Kentucky native, has logged over 120 volunteer hours since his arrival on campus in the fall of 2006. He volunteers at Baptist Hospital and is a Spanish Medical interpreter at Siloam Family Health Center. Davis also is among the top academic performers in his class.
While thriving in Vanderbilt’s challenging academic atmosphere and taking advantage of service opportunities, Davis also is one of the top runners on Vanderbilt’s Cross Country Squad.
During the 2006 season, Davis was the third runner in Vanderbilt’s leading trio, along with standouts Austin Williamson, a junior and Austin Weaver, a senior. Davis earned his first top Commodore finish at the Blue Ridge Invitational, posting a 25:32 in the 8k course.
In only his second race with the Vanderbilt track club, Davis qualified for the U.S. Junior National Championships, running 3:57 in the 1500m event.
The Freshman John T. and Lizzie Allen McGill Award which Davis received, is granted yearly to a student that not only has stellar academic habits, but also possess leadership abilities and kindness for others.
“Thomas is a guy who’s focused, humble and has really got things in order,” Vanderbilt Head Coach Steven Keith said. “There are certainly many areas that he excels in. I’m sure he’ll have bright future in any or all of them.”