Joseph A. Davenport, III

My good friend Joseph A. Davenport, III has done much for the General Theological Seminary in Chelsea New York: He provided insightful leadership through the transition of three deans and in planning for the Leaders for the Church capital campaign. He challenged the Seminary to be more ambitious in its fund raising goals, leading the way with one of the first major gifts of the campaign, an endowed fund for the Joseph A. Davenport Scholarship for postulants from the diocese of Western Louisiana or Mississippi.

Joe created the Gwendolyn Simmons Arts Fund, named for Joe’s good friend and fellow trustee Gwendolyn Simmons, enabling students and their partners to take advantage of the opportunity to attend events at some of the unparalleled performing arts venues in New York City, such as the Metropolitan Opera, the New York City Ballet, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, and Broadway and off Broadway theater.

Since retiring from the Board of Trustees in 2003, he has remained a faithful friend and tireless advocate. Joe received the prestigious Clement Clark Moore Medal on Wednesday 14, 2008 at the Seminary’s 186th Commencement Ceremony.

Joe is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Mer Rouge State Bank in Mer Rouge, LA. He served as Trustee of the General Theological Seminary from 1992-2003 where he chaired the Development Committee until his retirement.