Driven by hard work, staying busy, and helping others

When Amber Davis ‘19 came to Wesleyan, she knew she wanted to major in Spanish and something else, she just didn’t know what. After meeting with her advisor, Dr. Glenna Meyer (D. Abbott Turner Professor of Free Enterprise and Professional Studies), she added international business as her second major. Then during her sophomore year, she became interested in so many more subjects – international business, marketing, design, and communication.  

Fortunately for Amber, Wesleyan’s self-designed major allows the flexibility to combine two or more separate disciplines into an integrated, coherent program of study that meets all of Wesleyan’s traditional academic rigor. Amber designed her own second major and graduated magna cum laude as a Spanish and a self-designed international business and marketing communication major. 

This Margaret A. Pitts full-tuition scholar from Douglasville, Georgia, worked three summers as a marketing intern for Southwire, an electric utility manufacturer in Carrollton, Georgia. There she explored digital media, packaging, branding, and learned strategic marketing techniques. She also held an internship in marketing and public relations at The Methodist Home in Macon where she served as graphic designer, managed Facebook and Twitter pages, and wrote marketing and public relations copy. She gained more career-related experience as a work- study student in the departments of student affairs and health services.

Last summer, Amber enjoyed a study abroad experience in Costa Rica. “It was great living with a host family. I grew as an individual and honed my fluency in the Spanish language. My business class took local field trips every week. We learned how their business practices compare to ours in the United States.”  

Amber played on the Wolf tennis team, served as chancellor of Honor Council, and as president of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee. She was also a resident advisor and a member of the Wesleyan Disciples. At Honors Day in April, Amber was presented Honors in an Academic Discipline for Modern Languages.

Amber is engaged to be married and will move to Minnesota after graduation to start her career. Recently she enjoyed a visit with Wesleyan trustee and Minnesotan Alexis Bighley ’67. “Mrs. Alexis heard that I was moving to Minnesota and wanted to help me find my professional place there. She is a successful businesswoman and I value her as a mentor, a friend, and a Wesleyanne. It is nice to know that anywhere in the world I go, I will have a Wesleyan sister to lean on.” 

This article ran in WESmag Spring 2019 issue.