Beka Davis is on track to graduate from Appalachian State University in 2025 with a B.S. in Biology with a concentration in Ecology, Evolutionary, and Environmental Biology as well as with a minor in Animal Studies. She was awarded a Sally A. Callegari Memorial Scholarship for Gender Diversity in Animal Studies in 2023-24 from the College of Arts & Sciences. Launched in 2019-20, the Callegari Scholarship has helped five exceptional undergraduates complete their studies at Appalachian, who represent a diverse array of majors housed in the departments of Anthropology, Biology, Interdisciplinary Studies, and Psychology. Beka is the fifth recipient of the scholarship and her long-term career goal is to work in a national or state park as a biologist.
The Callegari Scholarship was established in memory of Sally A. Callegari, a life-long supporter of animal rights, care, and health. The purpose of the Sally A. Callegari Memorial Scholarship for Gender Diversity in Animal Studies is to recognize outstanding scholarship in the humanistic or scientific study of animals that is couched in healthcare and/or advocacy and to provide incentive for students with demonstrated personal or research experiences of sexism, or who demonstrate an interest in the advancement of women in the sciences through their own work/activism, and who demonstrate a commitment to ending gender-based discrimination to enter into a profession that includes an interest in the well-being of animals (i.e. veterinary medicine, biology, animal welfare, primatology, etc.). It awards $2,000 on an annual basis to a student majoring in a degree offered by the College of Arts & Sciences.
With regards to how the Callegari Scholarship has benefitted her, Beka stated:
"The Callegari Scholarship has benefitted me by allowing me to continue my undergraduate studies in Biology. It also gave me the financial support to study abroad in Ecuador, and visit the Galapagos islands. Reading about the Galapagos and Darwin was what sparked my interest in the environment, ecology, and evolutionary biology. So, getting to witness and learn about the wildlife, such as the finches and blue-footed boobies, is incomparable.”
Beka admits that her time at Appalachian has helped her transform her lifelong passion into a particular career path. While her career goals have evolved since she was young – artist to teacher to veterinarian to scientist – she has always been passionate about animals.
When asked about her experience with animals and gender disparities and discrimination, she said:
“As far as gender disparity, minoring in animal studies has allowed me to appreciate so many things about being a woman. Many people discriminate against women in particular careers, claiming that they are ‘less fit’ for certain roles because they are too emotional or empathetic. But my empathy and emotion is exactly what drives my passion and intellect for the field of animal welfare.”
Beka advises students who wish to help eradicate gender disparities and gender-based discrimination to:
“…know your worth. When preparing for a career with animals (or even without animals), walk into every room like you are meant to be there. Too many times I have felt myself shying away from leadership roles and other important tasks because I felt less than my male peers. Gender does not define your intellect. Let your voice be heard!”
To learn more about the Callegari Scholarship, including how to apply, and how you can help support more amazing students like Beka, please visit anthro.appstate.edu/Callegari-Memorial-Scholarship.
###
About the Department of Biology
The Department of Biology is a community of teacher-scholars, with faculty representing the full breadth of biological specializations — from molecular genetics to landscape/ecosystem ecology. The department seeks to produce graduates with sound scientific knowledge, the skills to create new knowledge, and the excitement and appreciation of scientific discovery. Learn more at https://biology.appstate.edu.
About the College of Arts and Sciences
The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) at Appalachian State University is home to 17 academic departments, two centers and one residential college. These units span the humanities and the social, mathematical and natural sciences. CAS aims to develop a distinctive identity built upon our university's strengths, traditions and unique location. The college’s values lie not only in service to the university and local community, but through inspiring, training, educating and sustaining the development of its students as global citizens. More than 6,400 student majors are enrolled in the college. As the college is also largely responsible for implementing App State’s general education curriculum, it is heavily involved in the education of all students at the university, including those pursuing majors in other colleges. Learn more at https://cas.appstate.edu.
About Appalachian State University
As the premier public undergraduate institution in the Southeast, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives as global citizens who understand and engage their responsibilities in creating a sustainable future for all. The Appalachian Experience promotes a spirit of inclusion that brings people together in inspiring ways to acquire and create knowledge, to grow holistically, to act with passion and determination, and to embrace diversity and difference. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Appalachian is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System. Appalachian enrolls nearly 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate majors.