Editor’s note: This is one in a series of periodic commentaries by retired college presidents on the subject of civility. They are based on the book “Rules of Civility for a Modern Society,” by Jim Davis, the former president of Shenandoah University.
Two years ago, one clear question brought together five former presidents of regional colleges and universities in Virginia:
What can we do for our community?
The driving idea was to call attention to issues considered of great importance in our community. The intention was to encourage thinking and actions that might make Virginia’s Blue Ridge Region stronger, more vital and more civil.
We gravitated to the topic of civility in our society. Everyone preaches that civility is good for us, but it often breaks down when we attempt to practice what we preach.
On Oct. 7, 2025, Dr. Jim Davis, a champion of civility in our commonwealth, in our nation, and in our colleges and universities, passed away. Davis was a passionate and reasoned advocate for civility. He devoted much of his life to inspiring others to be courteous and kind to others, whether it was in daily living, in political debate or in classrooms of higher education. He was himself a model and an advocate for the Golden Rule of “Doing unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
Advocating for empathetic behavior toward others was more than a slogan for Jim Davis. In fact, Davis wrote a book on civility. He penned “Rules of Civility for a Modern Society” in 2007. His book on civility speaks relevantly to us today in a society that sometimes considers civility to be “quaint.”
Prior to his passing, Davis served as the 15th president of Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia, completing his 26-year term in 2008. He also served three terms in the Virginia General Assembly. In his presidential and political career, he saw the pressing need for championing civil behavior in daily life.
During his presidency at Shenandoah, Davis became intrigued by “The Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation,” a book George Washington, our nation’s first president, wrote when he was 14 years old. It included 110 rules for leading a life of
courtesy and consideration toward others. Washington’s No. 1 rule was “Every Action done in Company, ought to be with Some Sign of Respect, to those that are Present.”
Jim Davis saw the need to update Washington’s language with modern applications. He recognized that his relationship with college students presented a unique opportunity to model civility for students. Davis’s book on civility was thus born, with 100 updated rules.
The book was shared with Shenandoah University graduates at commencement in his last two years as president. He sent it to members of the General Assembly and of Virginia’s Congressional Delegation in Washington, D.C. He traveled the commonwealth talking
about the book and its contents. Davis became a missionary and advocate for civility in a society where civility sometimes seems scarce.
Just weeks before his passing, Jim shared additional comments about civility, intending them for an article. Here are four of Jim Davis’s parting thoughts that speak to us today:
- “Civility has to be more than talk and must be based on solid values related to the lives of those with whom you engage.”
Most everyone agrees that civility is good for society and for all of us. The rub comes when we are faced with friction or disagreement with others. Behaving with courtesy and consideration for others is especially difficult when we find someone whose opinions differ from ours. The true test for civility comes when we are faced with disagreeable behaviors.
As Davis asserted, civility is not turned off and on like a switch; it must be a habit that can withstand contentious moments.
- “Active role models appear to be fewer because of the challenges the [civility] concepts present to human nature and to many of the precepts found in religious teachings.”
Jim Davis knew that civility was not natural, meaning our passions and impulses are not always top of mind when we engage with others with whom we disagree. In these moments, especially, we need rules such as those proffered by George Washington and Jim Davis, indeed, two role models of integrity and credibility. We must shine a bright light on individuals of good character who behave in courteous, grace-filled ways.
- “Each generation needs to shape guidelines for civil living that reflect the demands of the time.”
We no longer require rules addressing many of the societal challenges of George Washington’s day, when the nation was deeply entangled in slavery. But today, we do find ourselves encountering a different set of challenges in daily life — culturally, ideologically, politically — that require our attention to and practice of civility.
According to Davis’s Rule #42: “Citizens cannot be afraid to battle apathy, misunderstanding, greed, and other human failings if they are to enjoy civility in a complex and multicultural society.” Applying civility in daily living is as modern as can be.
- “In today’s world, it appears that truthful thoughts and honesty … are our greatest challenge and should be the focus of our attention on Civil Behavior.”
Honesty seems as though it should be easy to recognize, but it can be difficult to spot in a world where false information is so easily spread. How can any of us know what is true and honest? Recognizing truth is a challenge — especially today. But part of living in the modern world is to know when to check sources, to question authority, to go deeper to understand what is true. Part of serving as a good citizen is questioning information that is presented to us.
The 100th rule in Jim Davis’s book notes that “Civility, when exercised as part of daily living with family, church, government, friends and private associations, brightens lives, affirms democratic principles and adds to the basic happiness for our society.” The uncivil alternative to the world Davis described is an ugly world. Davis reminded us that the society in which we live — uncivil and crass or civil and full of goodwill — is a choice that is ours to make. The consequences of our choices are great.
There will never be a rule regarding civility that is as powerful as individuals committing to treat others the way they would like to be treated. Civility in our society is up to us.
This tribute to Jim Davis and his advocacy for civility begins a series on civility in daily living by The Emeriti Presidents’ Council.
Authors: The Emeriti Presidents’ Council
The Emeriti Presidents’ Council was created to call attention to issues and potential solutions to help make our region of Virginia and the commonwealth a better place to live. Given the nonpartisan intention of the council, the council’s work avoids political issues and controversies.
After discovering that five former college and university presidents with more than 200 combined years of experience in college administration and teaching — all holding the title of president emeritus — had retired to the Roanoke region, the council was formed. N. L. Bishop, Jefferson College of Health Sciences; Jim Davis, Shenandoah University; Ken Garren, University of Lynchburg; Nancy Gray, Hollins University; and Michael Maxey, Roanoke College, are members of the council. It is the intention of the Emeriti Presidents’ Council to provide insight, research and analysis for public consideration on a range of topics with the potential to offer direction for discourse and solutions. We are unpaid, independent educators with a commitment to helping our communities address critical issues.
