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You Learned That at Davidson College?

You Learned That at Davidson College?

February 18, 2026

Author: Caroline Roy '20

A 2x3 grid of diverse portraits including a fisherman on a boat, a woman in an office, a fire chief, a woman riding an elephant, two men in a studio interview, and a woman in a MasterChef apron.

Alums share how Davidson College prepared them for the unexpected and unconventional.

Guided by the lessons they learned as Davidson College students, these six alums made the bold choice to take an unexpected path after graduation. While their friends and classmates continued on to graduate school or found jobs in medicine, law and business, they departed from tradition and embraced the unknown. From video game design to firefighting, these alums transformed their passions into realities.

A man with a mustache, sunglasses, and a red Arkansas Razorbacks hat stands outdoors under a cloudy sky wearing a patterned wool jacket over a blue button-down shirt.

John Harmon ’97

Chief Engineer Aboard M/V Catalyst

Explore the journey of John Harmon ’97, a Davidson College studio art alum who transitioned from the film industry to become the chief engineer of the historic M/V Catalyst in Alaska.

A smiling woman with dark hair tied back performs a cross-body shoulder stretch while wearing a matching bright blue sports bra and high-waisted athletic shorts against a plain white wall.

MaryBeth Monaco-Vavrik ’23

Fitness Content Creator

Meet MaryBeth Monaco-Vavrik ’23, a Davidson College political science and communications alum who turned a viral Pilates video into a full-time career as a fitness content creator. Learn how she's analyzing the sociological and political implications of the fitness industry while traveling the world.

Two men in black shirts sit on a grey sofa with yellow pillows in a studio setting featuring bookshelves and framed wall art.

Mišo Vukčević ’18

Video Game Developer

Discover how Mišo Vukčević ’18 turned a digital art project into the viral indie RPG Bleak Faith: Forsaken. Building off his Montenegro roots and his studio art education, this Alvarez Scholar now leads a successful game development team and mentors the next generation of creators.

A woman in a pink shirt and khaki shorts sits atop a large elephant with its trunk raised, positioned in an outdoor setting with lush green trees in the background.

Laurie Bingaman Lackey ’79

Conservation Biologist

Meet conservation biologist Laurie Bingaman Lackey ’79, a Davidson College biology alumna who helped build Species360, a global data network for 1,400 zoos across 90 countries. Discover how her Watson Fellowship and Davidson mentorships led to a career managing data for over four million animals and endangered species worldwide.

A smiling Black woman with curly hair wearing a white MasterChef apron with the name "ASHLEY" printed on it over a coral lace top, posed against a solid teal background.

Ashley Mincey ’11

Freelance Culinary Artist

From the Davidson College tennis courts to MasterChef with Gordon Ramsay, Ashley Mincey ’11 is redefining the culinary arts. Learn how this French major and former teacher uses her Davidson education to lead her brand, Envie by Mincey, blending history, education, and freelance culinary artistry.

Christopher Kip ’95

Fire Chief

From cleaning ancient bones in Cyprus to leading a fire department, Assistant Fire Chief Christopher Kip ’95 shares how his Davidson College education prepared him for a 27-year career in the fire service. Learn how a studio art and classics background fuels humanitarian leadership in Columbia, South Carolina.

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Career Outcomes & Networking
Davidson prepares students and alumni to fulfill their life-long educational and professional pursuits by connecting them with tools, resources and networks, and fostering the development of critical competencies that build on the liberal arts experience.

Alumni Careers
At Davidson, support for career exploration and professional development is for life. Alums, parents and families are encouraged to take advantage of and support the broader Davidson career network.