On Monday, the LeMoyne-Owen College Board of Trustees voted to remove the “Interim” tag and appoint Dr. Christopher B. Davis as the 14th President of the College after serving as Interim President since July 2023.

Davis brings a wealth of multifaceted experience as a faith, business and community leader. Prior to his interim appointment, he served as a member of the Board of Trustees for nearly seven years, and had a transformative 17-year tenure at Memphis Theological Seminary, advancing the institution as Associate Professor and Associate Dean of Doctoral Studies where he increased growth by 1,500 percent over five years and implemented strategic initiative in curriculum development.

Under Dr. Davis’ leadership as Interim President, LOC has spearheaded a comprehensive institutional rebranding that emphasized its distinction as the nation’s 5th oldest and Memphis’ only Historically Black College and University (HBCU). Significant changes were made to staff, including key roles such as Chief Financial Officer and adding a Director of Campus Safety and Director of Grants and Strategic Initiatives. Additionally, he was pivotal in bringing Men’s Volleyball to the College’s sports offerings. He also championed initiatives to revitalize existing campus facilities, enhancing the overall institution infrastructure.

Davis earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from both the University of Arkansas and Arkansas Baptist College. He holds a Master of Arts degree from Memphis Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry degree with emphasis on Preaching and Leadership from the United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. Additionally, he has completed studies at the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University. Presently, he is pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Leadership with a concentration in Higher Education Leadership from Anderson University.

“We welcome Dr. Davis as the 14th President of LeMoyne-Owen College, and we commend the Board of Trustees for their selection of such an exceptional leader for this transition era that will continue to position the College as one of the nation’s preeminent HBCUs under his leadership,” said HCF Founder, President and CEO Demetrius Johnson, Jr. “LOC is such a historic institution among the nation’s HBCUs and it is the 5th oldest and Memphis’ only. I love the historic feeling every time I visit during a stop in Memphis. We look forward to this era of leadership and pledging our support behind Dr. Davis. We congratulate him and wish the LOC community much success.”

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