Hometown: Austin, Tex.

Davidson Night and Day
As a prospective student, Grace Cheney '13 arrived on campus after dark. "It felt really small," she recalls. Then Davidson dawned on her.
"The next morning, I knew it was the perfect fit. I fell in love with Davidson as soon as I met the people here. I know they always say that kind of thing when they advertise Davidson, but it was reality for me... Although Davidson is a long way from home and I am really close to my family, I was never homesick."

Summer Odyssey and a Personality Test
Cheney's not the world's biggest outdoorswoman, but she signed on for Backcountry Odyssey­-a week on an Appalachian river with fellow first year students under the leadership of the student-run Davidson Outdoors. "You shed a lot of barriers during Odyssey. It's a good transition to Davidson, because you realize it's okay to just be yourself." She feels the same way in the comfort of her dorm room with her roommate, too. "I definitely believe in the personality tests they give to match people up!"

Community, On Campus and Beyond
Cheney counted on Davidson's strong sense of community as she set about meeting the college's renowned academic standards. "It's a challenge, but it's one that everyone is here to help you meet." And now she's an integral part of that campus community and beyond. Five weeks into her first semester, Cheney had already signed on for club swimming, joined the Pre-Medical Society, and found a youthful and contemporary church home close to campus.

Old School at Her New School
"I am impressed with the speakers Davidson brings in for its students to experience," Cheney said. The second week of classes featured a campus visit by Tobias Wolff, author of the freshman reading selection, Old School. "The lecture gave me a deeper understanding and appreciation of the book. I also walked away with a signed copy! I attended Robin Wright's 'Turmoil in Iran: What's Next?' as well.... I'm looking forward to attending as many of these lectures as possible, even though there are far more than I have time to see!"