Hometown: Amarillo, Texas

A Place That Feels Like Home
An English major, Wright grew up in Amarillo, Texas, where he attended a public high school with an enrollment larger than Davidson’s. He was drawn to Davidson because of its academic rigor, its strong Honor Code, and its sense of community. “Amarillo is a hometown kind of place, where everyone knows everyone. When I visited Davidson, it reminded me of home.”

The Honor Code as Handshake
Davidson’s longstanding honor code has been central to Wright’s experience of Davidson. It was part of why he applied to the college. “I looked at other schools, and if they had an honor code, they didn’t place it as high as Davidson.” Now he chairs the honor council. “When you apply to Davidson, you have to write an essay about the Honor Code. I related it to my hometown. A handshake in Amarillo is a sign of integrity, a promise you make to the person whose hand you’re shaking. The Honor Code is like that. It’s a sign of integrity, a pledge you make to the other people in your community.”

Something More Than a Promise Not to Cheat
For Wright, Davidson’s Honor Code is about something more than rules. “It’s something positive—about being an honest person, leading a life of integrity. The Honor Code is a pledge to the alums who have come through Davidson before us; it’s a way of saying, ‘This is as important to us as it was to you.’ It’s a guideline for how to live your life. It points to why Davidson values service so much. And it influences your life after Davidson—it forces you to ask ‘How can I positively impact other people?’”

Making a Positive Impact
Wright thought about applying to med school. “But I realized I was doing that because I wanted to help people, and I didn’t really like the science part. So now I’m thinking about applying for Teach for America.” His long-term goals? “Maybe education, health care or something in public policy. I’m not really sure yet. The important thing is being of service to the community.”