LeMoyne-Owen College names interim leader and pastor Christopher Davis its next president

In June 2023, LeMoyne-Owen College's then-President Vernell Bennett-Fairs resigned, and former board chair Christopher Davis was named the interim leader.

Now, the institution’s board has selected him to be the permanent president.

"The president serves as the foundation of leadership and the ambassador for this institution. The position is necessary for the growth and elevation of LeMoyne-Owen College," said Vanecia Belser Kimbrow, incoming chair of the LeMoyne-Owen board of trustees. "We understand it is imperative to keep the momentum that has been happening the last few years. For that reason, let me welcome, and you all help me congratulate, Dr. Christopher Davis, as our board chair. He and his family have made tremendous sacrifices to bring this university where we are today, over the past year.... There is undeniable freshness in the air about the future of LeMoyne-Owen College."

A longtime member of the Memphis community, Davis has been the senior pastor at St. Paul Baptist Church in Whitehaven since 2000. According to St. Paul’s website, he’s helped grow the size of its congregation from around 200 members to over 1,800.

He was also an assistant professor of homiletics at Memphis Theological Seminary from 2007 to 2023; and he has been on the boards of the Rise Foundation, the Sisters Network Inc., the Greater Whitehaven Economic Development Corporation, Baptist Health Sciences University, and West Africa Theological Seminary in Lagos, Nigeria.

Davis has bachelor’s degrees from the University of Arkansas and Arkansas Baptist College, a Master of Art’s degree from Memphis Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from the United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. Currently, he is pursuing a Ph.D. in leadership – with a concentration in higher education leadership – from Anderson University in South Carolina.

Now, as permanent president, he wants to enhance students' academic experiences, increase student support services, and strengthen community ties. He also steps into the role at a time when LeMoyne-Owen has gained momentum.

"We were actively engaged in recruitment throughout the summer, we're still doing so now," Davis said after the announcement. "We're certainly looking, right now, at about a 30% increase in enrollment, which we're excited about. … We're optimistic that we're going to bring in the largest freshman class in the history of the institution this fall."

John Klyce covers education and children's issues for The Commercial Appeal. You can reach him at John.klyce@commercialappeal.com.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: LeMoyne-Owen College names interim leader and pastor Christopher Davis its next president