Established by Martin and Jane Davis in July 1999 in memory of their son Dr. Jonathan Douglas Davis ('81, '85), this endowment provides financial support for a student in a Graduate Psychology program who has a special interest in suicide prevention,suicide awareness, and PTSD. Jon Davis graduated from JMU with a B.S. in Psychology and an M.A. in General Psychology. Jon had a particular interest and care for WWII veterans coping with Post Traumatic Stress Symptoms. He earned a Ph.D. from the Derner Institute at Adelphi University in clinical psychology.

On July 25, 1997, in his 39th year, Jon took his own life. Five months earlier he had received his Ph.D. His death came as a profound shock to everyone who knew him. Jon suffered from depression. This was known only to his parents and closest friends. Even they did not fully realize the hold it had on this productive, caring, and seemingly happy person who had a great capacity for making and keeping friends. He worked in a variety of helping jobs, including counseling, therapy, psychological testing, and even driving a taxi. He worked in hospitals and other organizations in Charlottesville, Harrisonburg and Staunton. His final job was working with chemical abusers in the Bronx.