The College of Arts & Letters at Michigan State University invites donors, alums, and community members to support the Hart-Davidson Memorial Endowed Scholarship, created to expand opportunities for first-generation students in the arts and humanities and to honor the life and legacy of Bill Hart-Davidson, former Professor in MSU’s Department of Writing, Rhetoric, and Cultures (WRAC) and Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies in the College of Arts & Letters, who passed away in April 2024.
A renowned scholar, teacher, and administrator, Hart-Davidson’s impact across MSU was far-reaching and deeply felt as a member of the College of Arts & Letters faculty for 20 years. His research and teaching focus ranged from writing and technology, human–computer interactions, user experience design, and generative AI. He was a pioneer in the Experience Architecture (XA) field and was one of the co-creators of MSU’s XA program, which is shared between WRAC and the Department of Art, Art History, and Design.
Over his two decades at Michigan State University, Hart-Davidson left a transformative imprint on students, colleagues, and the fields of rhetoric, writing, and digital scholarship. The Hart-Davidson Memorial Endowed Scholarship was established following his passing at the age of 53. This scholarship will extend his impact for future generations.
The Hart-Davidson Memorial Endowed Scholarship supports first-generation undergraduate and graduate students in the College of Arts & Letters. It provides funding for them to pursue a humanities- or arts-based skill or craft beyond their required coursework. This focus mirrors Hart-Davidson’s own approach to learning. A prolific researcher, award-winning teacher, and co-founder of Eli Review, a software service that supports writing instruction, Hart-Davidson also was a cyclist, musician, juggler, photographer, baker, and committed practitioner of new creative skills throughout his life.
First Hart-Davidson Memorial Scholarship Recipients
Two undergraduate students recently were named the inaugural recipients of the Hart-Davidson Memorial Scholarship: Roberto Garcia and Allysha Potts.
“I started literally jumping up and down when I discovered I had received the scholarship,” Potts said. “This scholarship, combined with my other scholarship, meant I could afford my second year at college. I felt like I could breathe for the first time.”
Potts, an Honors College student, is pursuing degrees in Linguistics and Theatre and is expected to graduate in 2028. She also is a recipient of the MSU Distinguished First-Year Scholarship.
Garcia, an Honors College student who is double majoring in English with a Creative Writing concentration and Sociology with a minor in Environmental Social Science, recently was named a 2025–2026 Newman Civic Fellow by Campus Compact. The fellowship recognizes and supports community-committed students proactively working to address social, political, and environmental issues affecting communities. Garcia also received the Outstanding First Year Award in 2024 from the Office of Cultural and Academic Transitions.
For Potts, who is pursuing two arts and humanities degrees, the Hart-Davidson Memorial Scholarship has enabled her to focus on her academic and creative ambitions without taking on additional debt.
“This scholarship, combined with my other scholarship, meant I could afford my second year at college. I felt like I could breathe for the first time.”
Allysha Potts
“Scholarships like this one allow me the opportunity to pursue the arts and humanities, which is what I love,” she said. “Trying to make it as an actor or in academia is terrifying enough. This scholarship has made it so I can at least face that reality without loans.”
The support also has ensured that Potts can remain fully engaged in her coursework and performance commitments.
“This scholarship lets me focus on being a full-time student,” she said. “Without this scholarship, I likely would’ve had to get a second job during the academic year, which would mean less time for studying and lowering the number of shows I could perform in over a year. Additionally, I’ve been able to save up a small amount of money to go on a theatrical study abroad to London!”
Support the Hart-Davidson Memorial Scholarship
The Hart-Davidson Memorial Endowed Scholarship advances the values that guided Hart-Davidson’s career: expanding access, fostering creativity, and ensuring students have the support they need to pursue meaningful academic and artistic work.
By contributing to this fund, donors will help create opportunities for first-generation students to deepen their craft, explore new fields of practice, and shape the future of the arts and humanities at Michigan State University.
The College of Arts & Letters welcomes continued support to grow the scholarship’s reach and impact for future generations of Spartans. To contribute to the Hart-Davidson Memorial Endowed Scholarship, visit the MSU Giving site.
