Prof. Davis began his career as an officer in the U.S. Coast Guard, serving six years at sea and ashore before earning a master's degree in analytical chemistry at The Ohio State University and then returning to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy as a rotating faculty member.  Upon finishing his service, Lt. Cmdr. Davis came to Wesleyan to complete a doctorate in physical organic chemistry under the tutelage of Prof. Al Fry.  Besides teaching at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, Prof. Davis also taught chemistry at the University of New Haven and worked as a Project Engineer and Chemist at a local manufacturing plant.