The School of Law mourns the loss of Dr. Mary Davidson, a powerful force for education and the common good in our community. Dr. Davidson’s father, Julian Klein Davidson, graduated from the Kansas City School of Law (now UMKC School of Law) in 1905 with his LL.B. In 2010, Dr. Davidson established a full-tuition scholarship at the UMKC School of Law in honor of her father. In addition, Dr. Davidson was a partner in planning the annual Cohen Lecture series, established by her late husband, Barton “Bart” Cohen, to honor his late father, Joseph Cohen, a 1925 graduate of the Law School. The most recent Cohen Lecture was the 125th Anniversary Gala keynote by Presidential historian and Pulitzer Prize winner, Doris Kearns Goodwin.
Zac Parker, a Davidson Scholar, reflected on meeting Dr. Davidson. He recalls, “I will never forget being terrified to meet Dr. Davidson after I became the recipient of the Davidson Scholarship and read up on all her accomplishments. Of course, my fears were for nothing because she was so welcoming, sharp, and invested in her 'kids.' "
The School of Law extends its deepest condolences to Dr. Davidson’s family.