From Legos to Floor Plans — Design is the Past, Present, and Future for One Queens Student

Having grown up in Leesburg, Ohio, Ethan Davis ’24 developed a love for the state of North Carolina during frequent family trips. When it came to finding the right college, he sought a school with both an architecture program and a running program. Queens University of Charlotte, in his family’s vacation destination state, checked off both of those boxes.

During the past few years at the university, Davis found that Queens was the perfect fit for him on many levels. For one thing, he said, Queens faculty and leadership do “a really great job of just encouraging all students to be all that they can be, essentially.”

“Very rarely do you ever see a Queens student just be a student. They always have some other role in the community or on campus — student-athletes, student government, students leading clubs and organizations,” Davis said.

While pursuing his Bachelor of Arts degree in interior architecture and design, Davis’s involvement in Queens Athletics, on the men’s cross country and track and field teams, kept him engaged beyond his studies. His skills have been honed with an internship at Designbar, a commercial interior design firm in Charlotte.

The small-sized classes, close-knit community, and networking opportunities were also beneficial factors in Davis’s experience at Queens. “I know you hear just about everyone say this,” he said, “but I think it’s because it’s 100% true.”

In the College of Arts and Sciences’ interior architecture and design program, he discovered a unique support system in both his professors and his classmates. “The class is really focused on giving constructive criticism as projects play out,” said Davis. “Everyone wants to see each other succeed.”

Davis credits Melissa Gamez, assistant professor of art (design) as a positive influence during his first year. She was helpful in successfully setting his expectations for his future in the program. “It’s a tough major, for sure,” he said. “She was a source of hope for me.”

While some people yearn to figure out what they want to do in life, Davis’s career inspiration goes way back. As a child, he developed his admiration for architecture and design through toys and art.

“I grew up playing with Legos all the time, and I think that honestly had a big influence. I was just constantly building buildings for my mini figures to live in,” he said.

His grandmother, who teaches art in Ohio, also had a significant impact. Davis and his sister would sit in on her classes. “I would just follow along on the lessons and she kind of gave me a preview of the artsy side, I would say, and a taste for the design world.”

After commencement at Queens, Davis plans to pursue a Master of Architecture degree starting this summer. He is particularly interested in sustainable commercial architecture.

“I’ve landed a really good scholarship at Savannah College of Art and Design,” he said. “After Savannah, my goal is to be an architectural designer.”

By Nicole Ward Beckley