My Davidson | A Student Blog Ask a Wildcat: Ann Thompson ’27

March 6, 2026

At Davidson, your peers aren't just classmates; they are your teammates, your fellow travelers and your neighbors on Main Street. 

Ann Thompson ’27 embodies this interconnected spirit. Whether she’s leading a campus tour or grabbing a sweet treat at Whit’s, Ann has found a second home in Davidson, North Carolina.


About Ann

Ann Thompson ’27 is a Political Science and Hispanic Studies double major from Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. Outside of the classroom, she is on Davidson’s Division I Swim & Dive team, is a member of the Admission Office’s Tour Guide Executive Board, and serves as a mentor with the Matthews Center for Career Development’s Leadership Academy. She is also a member of Warner Hall Eating House. 

Fun Fact: “My all-time favorite activity is Paint by Numbers.”


From the rigors of a double major to the pure joy of a Davidson summer in Spain, Ann shares what makes this community so special. Read on for her favorite campus memories and her "insider tips" for anyone looking to join the Wildcat family.

What has been the best experiential learning opportunity (research, education abroad, internship, community-based learning, etc.) so far?

I studied abroad in Cádiz, Spain! Davidson in Cádiz is an intensive two-course credit, five-week program that takes place over the summer, perfect for student athletes or other Davidson students who may not have the chance to study abroad during the academic year. 

The cohort of Davidson students spends a week travelling around Spain before settling in Cádiz for the duration of the program. Students live with host families and the four-hour morning classes are enriched by afternoon cultural activities and excursions.

Two people ride camels across a sandy hillside overlooking a crowded beach and the blue ocean under a clear sky.
A smiling woman in a blue and white striped dress and sunglasses poses on a sailboat with a coastal city and cable cars in the background.

What is your favorite residence hall you’ve lived in? 

I am torn between Watts Hall and Ryburn as my favorite on-campus housing! 

Watts had that awesome small dorm vibe and was centrally located. 

As for Ryburn, I have loved the transitional living aspect to it—I have a full kitchen and my own room which is so nice!

What’s your favorite Davidson memory?

The Cake Race is a special memory for me. It is such a uniquely Davidson experience because it captures how involved the community is with our experience. 

All of the cakes are donated from local businesses and families, and oftentimes you will see cakes that have phone numbers associated with them and notes that say "call us if you receive this cake!" Not only do the faculty and administration want to support you, but there is a whole town looking out for you, too!

What are the top three things you love at Davidson?

  • Lake Campus

  • ArtMate

  • Davidson Women's Basketball

What’s your favorite bite to eat on Main Street Davidson or in the surrounding area?

Tough choice! For breakfast, the Soda Shop. For coffee, Summit. Lunch? Pickled Peach. Dinner? Mandolinos, Carburritos or Sabi, and for a sweet treat, you can’t go wrong with Whit’s or the Soda Shop. 

What's a tip you would give to prospective students trying to make the most of their visit to Davidson?

Ask current students questions. I know it can be scary, but Davidson students are so happy to share their experience with you. These people could be your peers for the next four years, so get to know them!

A group of young women, many wearing Davidson College athletic gear, pose for a photo with NBA player Steph Curry on a basketball court.
A person in a white sweatshirt walks along a brick path on a college campus lightly covered in snow, surrounded by bare trees and brick buildings.