Alfred L. and Ruby C. Davis Scholarship collection

In 1977, Brackett H. and Ruth M. Clark gifted $150,000 to RIT to establish the Alfred L. and Ruby C. Davis Scholarship fund. The Clarks had a long history with RIT, as Brackett had served as a Trustee, and Ruth was one of three founding members of RIT's Women's Council. Brackett and Ruth Clark were honored with the Nathaniel Rochester Society Award in 1972, honoring their outstanding service to the Institute.

Alfred Davis began his career at RIT in 1938, teaching in the General Education Department. His tenure at the Institute lasted seventy years, and his posts included: associate director of the evening division, director of public relations for the institute, vice president for development and public relations, and administrative secretary to RIT’s Board of Trustees. Davis also played a key role in raising the necessary funds to move the campus from downtown Rochester to Henrietta.

Ruby Davis also served the RIT community. She co-founded the Women's Council along with Ruth Clark and Mrs. Mark Ellingson. Ruby was also active in RIT's Women's Club.

Allocation of scholarship funds was as follows: 70% was to award funds to men and women attending the College of Continuing Education. The final 30% was to award students who had demonstrated service and campus leadership.