Three Commencement Ceremonies Scheduled for May 9

Millersville University will honor the graduating students of the Class of 2026 at three ceremonies on May 9 in Pucillo Gymnasium. Each ceremony will feature an address by a Millersville alumnus and a moment of reflection by a graduate. Additional information is available at https://www.millersville.edu/commencement/.

Students from the College of Education and Human Services will receive their diplomas at a 9 a.m. ceremony. Their address will be given by Rev. Dr. Dexter L. Davis Sr. '77.

Davis was born and raised in Chester, Penn., where he attended the Chester Upland Public Schools and graduated from Chester High School. He earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education with a minor in sociology at Millersville University and was a charter member of the Eta Kappa Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and a peer mentor. After graduating from Millersville, he received a master's degree in public administration from West Chester University and a doctorate in school administration from Widener University.

Davis retired from the Chester Upland School District, where he served as a teacher, coach, dean of students, principal, assistant superintendent and superintendent. He has worked in educational institutions throughout the Philadelphia region, and most recently served as senior director of education at Carson Valley Children Aid in Flourtown, Penn. He was also given the responsibility by Foundations, Inc., of managing five schools in the Northwest Region of the School District of Philadelphia. Davis served as an adjunct professor at Widener, Cheyney and Drexel universities. A member of several boards that impact the lives of children and adults in Delaware County, he has received many educational, community and leadership awards.

Davis is an ordained Baptist minister. He serves as an associate pastor at Bethany Baptist Church in Chester, Penn. He is a life member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and a member of the Epsilon Pi Chapter in Chester, having served two terms as president, and is a two-time recipient of the Chapter's Omega Man of the Year Award. Davis also serves as chapter advisor for Alpha Epsilon Xi of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., at Widener University.

A member of the Millersville University Foundation Board of Directors, he is a contributor to the African-American/Latino Alumni Scholarship and was a donor for the Divine Nine & Cultural Greek Council Unity Plots. Davis was selected as a 2024 Marvelous Marauder and is a member of the Golden Swan Society.

He resides in Wilmington, Del., with his wife, Rev. Michelle Meekins-Davis, whom he met and dated on the campus of then Millersville State College. They have two adult sons, the late Dexter Jr. and Ian; daughter-in-law, Magan; and two grandchildren, Julian and Zuri.