Thursday, September 1, 2022 – 11:17 AM | | Author: Van Arnold
Timmy T. Davis found himself far from home when he got the chance to attend the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) in 1988. Advice and course setting for his USM his campus in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
At USM, Davis stepped into the camaraderie of club football while earning a degree in International Relations. As a U.S. Marine, Davis found a brotherhood dedicated to defending the freedoms of this country. Today, Davis finds himself in the esteemed position of US Ambassador to Qatar. This is a role he never imagined as a young college student.
“I never thought I would be an ambassador,” Davis said. “I was very happy being a Marine,” he said. .
Davis passed the exam and was invited to take the oral assessment portion of the exam. He passed it too and became a US diplomat.
“Even then, I never dreamed that I would become an ambassador,” he said. “I think my USM experience, as well as my time in the Marine Corps, prepared me well, where I learned who I was and grew into an adult who welcomed challenges. “
Timmy Davis, wife Patty, and son Parker met with President Barack Obama in the Oval Office.
After high school, Davis had no specific college plans. That lasted until his father, Carly Davis, recommended a visit to his USM. Carly Davis and Timmy’s mother, Eddie Davis, are both from Simpson County, Mississippi, just 45 minutes north of Hattiesburg.
“I wasn’t sure what to do about school, but my dad knew USM and said it would be a great place for me,” Davis said. “He was right. It was the right size. I wasn’t just a number or another account.”
Davis explains that he was offered football scholarships to other schools after high school, but chose USM because the club team operates like a national team.
“I loved the courses at USM, mostly international relations. The professors were smart and innovative,” says Davis. “I loved playing football. We represented our colleges in tournaments in Mexico and England. It was a really fun place to go to.”
Davis spent more than three years at USM before military service proved too tempting. His father is a retired United States Marine Gunnery Sergeant. Davis’ sister, brother-in-law, and his two uncles are all US Marines.
“I got restless and wanted to be a Marine, and I thought it was time to pursue it,” he said.
Davis served in the United States Marine Corps for nearly ten years, including operations in the Horn of Africa and Iraq, before joining the Foreign Office. A Senior Foreign Service Career Member and Counselor, Davis has had an extensive career as a diplomat and State Department employee. Most recently, he served as secretary to Secretary of State Anthony Brinken.
Fluent in Spanish and Arabic, Davis lives in the Washington, DC area with his wife, Patti Davis, and their 13-year-old son, Parker.
Davis attributes much of his professional success to his time at USM, especially to the advisors and mentors he has come to respect so much. When in July he learned that Dr. Joe Paul had appointed him interim president of USM, Davis couldn’t contain his enthusiasm.
Prior to becoming Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs in February 1993, Paul held various positions on campus, including Assistant Director of Student Activities, Assistant Vice Chancellor, and Director of Student Development. He retired in 2015 before returning to his alma mater and becoming president after President Rodney Bennett announced his intention to step down earlier this year.
Davis explains that as a kid from the East Coast, he didn’t spend much time in the Deep South. Davis’ parents stressed the importance of getting a good education, but they also believed in helping him find his own direction.
“Dr. Paul was the epitome of in locoparentis (Latin phrase meaning “in place of a parent”). Even when I didn’t know where to go or which way to go, he was always there for me,” Davis said. “He gave me great advice on everything from what classes to take to how to find a way to study for a job.”
Davis shares the poignant story of finding out early one semester that his financial aid had not arrived.
“Dr. Paul established a relationship with me and knew I was a good boy,” Davis said. “He said to me, ‘Tim, go to class.’ I think the financial aid arrived three days into the semester. It was more important to treat me as a person and as a young man who needed someone to look after me.
For Paul, Davis’ professional success exemplifies the dedication and desire to excel that are typical of USM students.
“The University of Southern Mississippi is extremely proud of Ambassador Davis and his professional achievements, which are outstanding by any standard or measure,” said Paul. “Timmy’s Miss Southern story is unique, but shares similarities with many adults who come to our college from seemingly ordinary backgrounds who have achieved extraordinary things through their experiences with Miss Southern. “
Timmy Davis introduces his parents to then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
In Davis’ opinion, the university failed to move forward during this transition.
“It’s great to have a college led by smart, dedicated educators. And I’ve seen it work when someone is simply passionate about college. Dr. Paul is both.” Davis said. “His love for USM is equal to his love for his students and alumni. There is no school in the United States where under Joe Paul he is taught with such care and purpose as USM.
His career has taken him to places like Guatemala, Iraq, Australia, Colombia, and Qatar, but a key part of Davis’ mind, just to name a few, is that a teenage boy is masculine. always belonged to Hattiesburg found its way to.
There is no doubt that the US Ambassador to Qatar will serve as USM Ambassador.
