Women ACT ACTivator Spotlight: Sara Tatum Pottenger ’79

A longtime donor and volunteer, she is also a two-time Davidson parent (Tatum ’14 and Megan ’19) and is married to fellow ’79 grad Dave Pottenger. Sara served on the Board of Trustees from 2005-2008 and again from 2010-2018. She works as an independent education management professional and can often be found on campus, cheering with gusto at a basketball game or attending an event in support of the many students who share her family’s love for Davidson.

As a Women ACT ACTivator, you are helping to lead this still-new initiative focused on women’s philanthropy at Davidson. Why is this initiative meaningful to you as a Davidson woman?  

I think people who have similar values and interests often can be most effective with collaborative efforts aimed at goals that excite them. I love the fact that other women who love Davidson as I do are making a difference by combining forces with their resources, advocacy, and ideas to support, solve problems and impact current students. 

Can you share a couple of aspects of your Davidson experience that inspire you to stay involved as an alum?  

I often say that the best people I have known are my Davidson friends. I "grew up" with my hallmates, learned discipline and teamwork with my tennis team compatriots, and have bonded with both older and younger Wildcat friends I have made since college days. Our shared experiences and our continuing love for the college have meant the world to me and make me want to help provide those experiences for students who are at Davidson today. 

Representation matters! Can you share why it is important for women to see one another as fellow philanthropists and how you hope your gift might help inspire other women to consider a leadership gift to the college?  

I know that gifts of all sizes are important to the college and can make a huge difference, especially aggregated with others who are interested in targeted areas. We can all be philanthropists, and our collective efforts can be that much more valuable by bringing awareness and encouraging others to be involved, as well as by providing resources. Women have been a critical part of philanthropic efforts over the years and should continue to be part of the ongoing conversations about the place that shaped us and/or those we love.

We hope to build a community of donors to the Women ACT initiative - including donors to the Wildcat Women Fund and those who make ACTivator level gifts. Can you talk about the value of community as you think about your investment in an institution?  

Community with Davidson women supporters is a special part of the continuing relationship with the place that formed us. As women, we can share our different experiences and  bring new light to issues and opportunities that may not have been recognized. We can get excited about working together and being recognized as leaders who put our all behind the things we find important. I am happy to be a part of this empowered group that is working to make the college we love that much better.