A Q&A with Maggie Davis ’89
Your home:
Pell City, Alabama
Your hometown:
I am originally from Pell City, but my family moved to Gulf Breeze, Florida, the summer before my eighth-grade year in school. I consider Gulf Breeze a hometown as well.
Tell us about your family.
I am married to Gregory Neal Davis who is a salesman with Douglas Manufacturing in Pell City. I have one child, Jake Harrison Davis, who graduated from Faulkner University last December and will be getting married next March.
What is your profession?
I am a registered medical technologist, and I work in the lab performing high complexity testing. I currently work as a Microbiologist at Grandview Medical Center Hospital.
What made you choose this profession?
I was blessed to have a wonderful chemistry teacher in high school who introduced me to the career of medical technology (now known as medical laboratory science). I had always been interested in laboratory processes and was thrilled that I could pursue that as a career.
How has COVID-19 affected your work?
Because I work in microbiology where COVID-19 testing is performed at Grandview, it has affected my work tremendously. All other processes stop to make sure the COVID-19 testing is performed in a timely manner.
What challenges have you overcome during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Our department has had to learn three different methodologies for performing COVID-19 testing while working short–staffed and managing the routine work in a timely manner as well.
How did Montevallo affect your career path?
I was introduced to the University of Montevallo when seeing a booth at my high school’s college fair my senior year. I was so excited when I found out that Montevallo offered a biology degree for medical technology. I knew then I could pursue my desired degree and go to a college I wanted to attend as well.
Please tell us about your educational foundation:
The educational foundation I received was priceless as far as my career. Because of the small class size, I was able to get so much “hands on” experience and one-on-one instruction. I also developed relationships with professors, some of whom I still keep in touch with today.
How did you know you belonged at Montevallo?
I really can’t explain it — I just knew that is where I belonged. I believe God worked out a lot of circumstances in my life that brought me there and made it possible for me to attend financially.
What awards/honors have you received? Is there a most significant honor? If so, please tell us about it.
I have received a couple of awards over the years for hard work where I was voted on by my coworkers. It has always meant a lot to me that my coworkers recognized me.
What is your secret for success?
There is no secret. I believe my job is essential to quality health care for patients, and I work hard to make sure my work reflects accuracy in the test results that I release to the doctors who make diagnoses based on those results.
What is the best advice you have received?
Seek Him (God) in all I do!
Do you have a favorite motto? If so, what is it?
Prayer changes things!
What is your favorite Montevallo memory?
I was introduced to College Night by a fellow Chi Omega, and I have to say that participating in College Night was one of my favorites. I played in the Gold Side orchestra for three years. College Night brought together many people from different interests to accomplish a common purpose.
What makes alumni of UM unique?
I think most who have attended Montevallo have very fond memories, and that keeps them coming back to support fundraising efforts as well as alumni gatherings including homecoming.
What would you tell a prospective student who was considering UM?
If you want to feel at home away from home — this is your place.
What are your hobbies?
I like to spend time with family and friends, and I like to walk my dog for exercise.
What would you like to add?
There isn’t much about my college experience that I would change. I am forever thankful for my college experiences both personally and academically that have paved the way for my professional success.
