DENTON (UNT), Texas - Former Army Sgt. Steven Davidson, a University of North Texas alumnus and 2012 Army Times Soldier of the Year who saved a fellow service member’s life, will deliver the keynote address at UNT’s annual University-wide Commencement. The celebration will begin at 10 a.m. May 13 (Friday) at UNT’s Apogee Stadium, located at 1251 S. Bonnie Brae in Denton.
As the keynote commencement speaker, Davidson will give an inspirational address to graduates, calling on lessons learned during his journey from soldier and hero to college graduate, White House intern and dedicated public servant.
“I am honored that Sgt. Davidson is returning to his alma mater to inspire fellow graduates with insight he’s gained from his transformation as a struggling student to a college graduate and distinguished soldier with an incredibly bright future,” UNT President Neal Smatresk said. “There is nothing more powerful than hearing from one of our own about his path to success and how a college education from UNT helped him achieve his dreams.”
A tradition that honors the annual graduating class, this year’s commencement also will be the culmination of festivities for UNT’s 125th anniversary.
Two years after joining the army, Davidson deployed to East Africa in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2011. Serving in human resources, he did not expect to save someone’s life. However, when a soldier collapsed from the roughly 120 degree heat during the final hours of a 10-day French-run desert warfare course, everything changed. With no medic nearby, Davidson, a 2009 graduate from Northwest High School in Justin, Texas, raced to his comrade’s side. The sports medicine training he received in high school kicked in. Davidson quickly fashioned the soldier’s clothing into strips, soaked the strips of cloth in the little water remaining, and he then placed the strips on the injured soldier’s body in an attempt to cool the man off.
He then proceeded to put an airway tube in the man’s nose in an attempt to keep him breathing, and when the man eventually fought back, Davidson knew the man was alive. Davidson remained at the soldier’s side for hours as he faded in and out of consciousness, awaiting the arrival of the medical evacuation helicopter.
Following his return from Africa in 2012, Davidson applied to UNT. Despite his stellar military record, the veteran had struggled academically at a past community college and was accepted to UNT on a provisional basis.
While at UNT, he continued mentoring students, speaking to young people about bullying, and using his connections to advocate for veterans and young adults to get involved within their communities. He also interned at the White House in the Executive Office of the President, helping with veteran and military family engagement. Davidson was appointed to his current position in President Barack Obama’s administration at the U.S. Department of Energy as the Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy.
Davidson graduated cum laude from UNT in December 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in emergency administration and planning, but this commencement will be a “first” of sorts for him. Since he was living in Washington D.C., he did not attend his graduation ceremony.
“It is absolutely incredible to come back and thank the faculty who believed in me,” said Davidson, who is currently enrolled as a graduate student at Johns Hopkins University. “I hope that in coming back I can honor those who took a chance on me and that I can inspire others to trust their gut.”
Among his recognitions, Davidson has been honored with the President’s Volunteer Service Award and a Mayoral Proclamation for Community Service in Denton. He was also entered into the U.S. Congressional Record by Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Texas. His military honors include the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal and the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal. He was also named the Honor Graduate of the French Marine Corps Desert Warfare and Survival Course, and the Distinguished Leadership Graduate from the U.S. Army’s Warrior Leadership Course.