Courtney Hong
Staff Writer
Called “Walker, Texas Ranger” one too many times growing up, Platt Walker Davis still goes by Walker, but there’s more to the friendly Houston native than his name. For one thing, he is good natured about answering random questions. Fresh from studying abroad his sophomore year in Florence, this junior international business major has been to 17 countries, including multiple trips to Italy. Brotherhood nights with his fellow Sigma Chi members in Florence have led Davis to think about running for office this year in his fraternity. Davis was one of six members in the past two years alone who was selected to participate in a leadership conference for Sigma Chi members across the nation.
“I learned a lot,” Davis said. Though he is ready to be back in Malibu, Davis has not forgotten about his world travels just yet. Calling his experience in Florence “a darn good time,” Davis already has his sights set on an independent travel destination: Australia.
Why Australia?
It’s the one place I haven’t been.
How was Florence different from what you expected?
It was much more fast paced. Every day, there was something different. You try to get the most in with the little amount of time that you have. They [Italians] are nice and fun, and they love Americans, but some of the guys aren’t respectful. The girls are a little arrogant.
What did you miss the most?
Mexican and barbecue food.
What did you like most about the year you spent abroad?
Ireland was one of my favorites. It was a class field trip and my first time there. It’s a lot of farmland. It looks like New Hampshire, or the Northeastern states. I went to Africa twice. It’s close, but it’s totally different from Europe: the landscape, the culture, the way people function, the way they drive off tourism. A highlight was seeing the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt. You have no idea how this was accomplished. You look up, and it’d be hard to climb up, let alone build.
What are you looking forward to most about this school year?
Coming back and getting to know people.
What explains your dedication to Sigma Chi since freshman year?
My grandfather was a Sigma Chi. I felt they were the gentlemen. The guys were people I really wanted to hang out with. They were the guys that had a good philanthropy: Run/Walk for Hope, the best on the campus. They have the values that I have. It has a Christian foundation.
How did the leadership conference influence you?
We learned about different leadership styles, and to work in situations with other leaders. I want to take what I learned and use it to help the fraternity grow.
If you weren’t a Pepperdine student, what would your life be like?
I’d be in Richmond, which is in the South and not as diverse, or Emory, where I wouldn’t have as much fun.
What makes Pepperdine worth it?
The people and the atmosphere. I remember walking in here and the atmosphere turned out to be positive, kind and absolutely true.
If you could choose absolutely anything to do for one year, what would it be?
Go to Australia.
What makes a good day good?
Any sense of accomplishment.
How do you define beauty?
It’s anything a person finds aesthetic, something that is appeasing, which inspires a person to have respect for it.
What’s a quirk about you that is actually a strength?
My goofiness. I use it to lighten the situation if need be.
Who would you call if you were dying and could only choose one person to talk to?
Chuck Norris
Submitted 08-30-2004