The Gift That Changed Aging Education Forever
In 1975, Leonard Davis, founder of Colonial Penn Life Insurance and co-founder of AARP, made a transformative naming gift to USC that established the Leonard Davis School of Gerontology — the first school of its kind in the world. His vision was clear: to create a multidisciplinary hub for the study of aging, one that would combine biology, psychology, sociology and policy to improve the lives of older adults.
“Leonard Davis understood that aging wasn’t just a biological process; it was a societal challenge,” says USC Leonard Davis School Dean Pinchas Cohen. “His gift laid the foundation for a school that would become a global leader in gerontology.”
The school quickly grew into a powerhouse of research and education, attracting top faculty and students dedicated to understanding and improving the aging experience. Today, it remains the largest and most renowned institution of its kind, offering the world’s most comprehensive selection of gerontology degree programs.
Endowing Excellence
The Davis family’s commitment didn’t end with the founding gift. In 2017, the Leonard and Sophie Davis Fund issued a $1.5 million matching-grant challenge to establish the Edward L. Schneider Endowed Chair in Gerontology. Named in honor of the school’s former dean and a nationally recognized expert in healthy aging, the chair was created to advance research in health economics and elder care.
“I see my father’s passion for improving the lives of older adults in Ed Schneider and his tireless teaching and service on behalf of aging Americans,” Alan Davis said when the chair was installed. “The Leonard and Sophie Davis Fund is pleased to be able to recognize Ed’s many contributions with this new chair in his name.”
This gift was part of a larger challenge grant that supported multiple projects at the school, including the Leonard and Sophie Davis Endowed Scholarship and a renovation of the student lounge.
Art as Advocacy: The Sophie Davis Gallery
In 2013, a contribution from the Leonard and Sophie Davis Fund enabled the school to establish the Sophie Davis Art Gallery. Located between the school’s lobby and auditorium, the gallery serves as a vibrant space to celebrate older artists and explore aging through the lens of creativity.
The gallery has hosted rotating exhibitions featuring paintings, photography, mixed media and works on paper — all centered on themes of aging, memory and identity. It has become a meditative space for students, faculty and visitors to reflect on the beauty and complexity of growing older.
“Art has the power to humanize aging,” says Dauray, an award-winning artist and designer and the leading force behind the USC Leonard Davis School’s arts initiative. “Through the Sophie Davis Gallery, we’re not just showcasing talent; we’re changing perceptions.”
The Arts and Healthy Aging Center: A New Frontier
In 2024, the school received a $2.5 million gift from the Leonard and Sophie Davis Fund to launch the Arts and Healthy Aging (AHA) Center Fund at USC. The center explores the intersection of artistic engagement and aging, focusing on how creative expression can enhance cognitive function, emotional well-being and social connection among older adults.
The gift also included a matching challenge of up to $1 million, inviting others to support the center and expand its reach. The AHA Center’s initiatives include competitive research grants, symposia, visiting scholar programs and public events that engage both the USC community and the broader public.
“We’re thrilled to support the AHA Center’s exploration into NeuroArts — the study of how the arts affect the brain, body and behavior,” Dauray says.
Cohen echoes this enthusiasm: “This center represents a bold new chapter in gerontology. Thanks to the Davis family, we’re able to investigate how creativity can be a catalyst for healthy aging.”
A Family Tradition of Advocacy and Innovation
The Davis family’s support for USC spans generations, but it’s rooted in a shared belief: that aging should be studied, understood and embraced, not feared. Leonard Davis’ early work with AARP and his philanthropic investments laid the groundwork for a more compassionate and informed approach to aging. Alan Davis and Mary Lou Dauray have carried that torch forward, expanding the school’s mission into new realms of art, economics and neuroscience.
Their involvement goes beyond financial contributions. Davis is an emeritus board member, and Dauray sits on the Board of Councilors, offering strategic guidance and advocacy for the school’s initiatives.
“Alan and Mary Lou are not just donors; they’re partners,” Cohen says. “Their insights, energy and generosity have helped shape the school’s direction and amplify its impact.”
Looking Ahead: The Next 50 Years
As the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology celebrates its 50th anniversary, the Davis family’s legacy is more relevant than ever. With global populations aging rapidly, the need for innovative research, compassionate care and inclusive policy is urgent.
The school’s work — fueled by the support of the Davis Fund — is helping to meet that challenge head-on. From endowed chairs to art galleries, from research initiatives to public programming, the Davis family’s contributions have touched every corner of the school.
“We’re interested in the academic community preparing students, teachers and professionals to meet the challenges that face an aging population today and in the future,”
Davis says.
