Care, Connection & Crosswords: Class Ambassadors Keep Wildcats Close

So when the clue reads, “Six across. Ten letters. Alums who give selflessly for the good of alma mater,” the answer is obvious: Volunteers.

For Biddle and her volunteer partner, Skip Brown ’83, taking on the role of Class Ambassadors is both a continuation of lifelong service and a joyful return to the community that helped shape who they are.

Biddle’s path to Davidson felt almost inevitable. With both her father and grandfather as alums, she jokes that she was “genetically predestined” to attend — and as a member of Davidson’s 10th graduating class of women, she applied early decision to the only school on her list. 

Brown followed a little different path. He was recruited by more than 300 colleges to play basketball. After visiting campuses across the country, it was Davidson that stood out. In the winter of 1978, while other schools were buried in snow, Davidson felt like spring. Even more memorable: sitting in on a small biology class, where he could ask Beverly F. Dolan Professor Emerita of Biology Verna Case a question — something that would have been impossible in a large lecture hall elsewhere.

Davidson proved challenging in all the ways that mattered for both, though in different ways. 

“I chose to major in philosophy, not because I thought it would be easy, but because it made me think and improved my writing,” Biddle said. “Skip and I have several things in common, and one is that we both are pretty sure we graduated in the bottom 10 percent of our class. It doesn’t mean we learned any less, though.” 

Professor George Abernethy proved a formative influence throughout Biddle’s time on campus. With his wife Helen, the couple hosted philosophy salons in their living room, welcoming students into thoughtful conversation. Even after retirement, Abernethy remained a mentor, encouraging her to engage deeply with opposing viewpoints and helping shape the feminist she would become. Those lessons, she said, taught her how to face adversity with reflection, resilience and grace, and she draws on those same skills today, especially through her work as a Presbyterian minister.

Brown’s experience was similarly defined by challenge and support. He entered college considering pre-med until organic chemistry intervened. He faced academic uncertainty but found steady guidance from his advisor, Professor David Grant. 

“He didn’t cut me any slack,” Brown said, “but he always had my back.” 

That tough love pushed Brown to complete his degree and move forward with confidence. Though he missed walking at graduation — he had already started helping run his father’s grocery business — the relationships he formed at Davidson have only deepened over time.

Both ambassadors credit Davidson with preparing them for life beyond campus. Brown pursued a career in tech while also spending 40 years as a volunteer firefighter. He calls it the “sport” he needed after basketball was done. Now retired, he sees this chapter as a chance to give back fully to the place that gave him so much. 

“Davidson looks for quality students,” he said. “That hasn’t changed over all these years, and it’s why I’ll support Davidson until my last breath.”

Together, Biddle and Brown make a natural team, and they, along with their spouses, have become the best of friends. Gift Chairs turned Class Ambassadors, they joyfully work to strengthen connections within a loyal and engaged class. 

Biddle brings creativity, most notably through her beloved crossword puzzles, featuring content she pulls from the scrapbook she’s built since her first year on campus, yearbooks, shared memories and class “archaeology.” Brown brings a communications mindset shaped by his work experiences. One prefers emails, while the other does it all by hand. Together, it works. 

“We’ve grown a lot closer through this work,” said Biddle. “He’s my brother in Christ and fellow Wildcat.” 

Together, they value stewardship, generosity and service — principles rooted in their Davidson years and carried forward into their lives today. Above all, both ambassadors speak with pride about their classmates, who are diverse in background and belief yet united by a shared commitment to being thoughtful, active citizens. 

As Biddle jokes, she and Brown may someday be the last members of the Class of ’83, still writing class notes to one another at 105 years old. Until then, they’re grateful to have the opportunity to volunteer for the place that gave them so much and help ensure future generations are creating their own memories — in crossword puzzle format or not — for years to come.