Davis, Earl S.

EARL S. DAVIS had a fiftyyear career, which began and ended with New York University. He received an MSW in 1957 from the Graduate School of Public Administration and Social Service, and practiced social work in the field until 1972, when he joined the Silver School of Social Work (SSSW) staff as the assistant dean for admissions, financial aid and student affairs. Davis directed NYU’s Institute of African American Affairs from 1979 until 1994, and returned to the SSSW part time from 1995 to 2008 as a special recruiter with the mission of attracting black students. During his time as director, the Institute initially functioned as an orienting and coordinating body for black student organizations, supporting projects and presentations of student groups along with sensitizing the university and the black community at large on issues of general interest and concern, including housing trends and education. Conferences during Davis' time as the director included the “Black Male Conference” (1982), “Black Theatre Conference” (1982), and the “Future Impact of Minority Politics in NYC” (1986).