Category: Faculty

Professor, Community Volunteer, Fly Fisherman, Music Lover, Beloved Husband, Father, and Grandfather. 

Dr. Cole Barton, 79, of Davidson, N.C., peacefully passed away on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of curiosity, kindness, and a contagious enthusiasm that made everyone he met grateful to know him. 

Born in Texas to Ruth Lou Cole and Roger Darl Barton, Cole and his brother, Barry, grew up Air Force kids. He spent his youth in Canada; Harlingen, Texas; Las Vegas; and Hawaii.  He navigated always being the new kid by impressing his teachers with good manners, making new friends on the baseball field, and excelling in school.

College took him to Logan, Utah, where he found his Pi Kappa Alpha brothers and the love of his life, Sydney Theurer Barton. They spent 57 years building a beautiful, adventure-filled life together, raising three children, Bret, Luke, and Amanda. He warmly embraced Kimberly (Bret) and Josh (Amanda) into the family, and delighted in his seven grandsons of whom he was exceptionally proud: Jackson, Logan, Barton, Colin, Quinlan, Waylon, and Franklin. He often would share stories of their antics and accomplishments, his eyes lighting up with awe and laughter. 

After completing his doctorate at the University of Utah, Cole joined the Davidson College faculty in 1983 and later became the college’s inaugural C. Louise Nelson Professor of Psychology. Former students and colleagues have described “Dr. B.”  as “cheerful, witty, selfless, down-to-earth, sensitive, honest, determined, and an all-around good guy.” One of his proudest professional accomplishments was being the recipient of the Hunter-Hamilton Love of Teaching Award, an honor given by peers that acknowledged his exceptional ability to inspire the potential in those he taught. His care and pride for his students stretched beyond the classroom, building relationships that extended well beyond graduation, mentoring them through career decisions, life transitions, and personal challenges with the same warmth and wisdom he brought to his lectures.

Cole’s impact was felt not only on campus but throughout the Town of Davidson. He most recently served on the board of the Davidson Housing Coalition, knocked on doors for local political campaigns, and was a fixture at the election day polls. He showed up for his community the same way he showed up for his students and his family: fully and with unwavering integrity. 

Outside of work, Cole was an avid fly fisherman who found happiness not just in casting the latest fly rod but in the fellowship of anyone willing to join him on the stream. Teaching his kids to fish on the Greys, South Holston, and Watauga rivers was one of his greatest joys. Just days before his passing, while fishing alongside a favorite stream companion, he declared it had been “the best fishing day ever.”

He was a true music aficionado, with a deep appreciation for all kinds of music, especially the Blues. He was a fan of live shows and curating the perfect playlists. He had an instinctive sense for the exact song the moment called for. Ever the enthusiastic novice, he also tinkered with the cigar box guitar, harmonica, and even the accordion.

A man of quiet faith, he began each morning journaling and reading his devotionals. He enjoyed Summit Coffee and lingering, reflective conversations from his brown leather chair. On Fall Sundays you would find him loyally suffering through a Panthers game. He had a talent for drawing, creating funny cartoons for his grandkids’ birthdays. He was always up for a cold beer, whether catching up with a student or friend, exploring a new craft brewery on one of his and Sydney’s many road-trip adventures, or gathering with his Monday night brew crew.

His love and legacy will continue to shape the many who felt the impact of his presence. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in his name to Cole Barton Davidson Research Initiative Support Fund via Davidson College, Box 5000, 209 Ridge Road, Davidson NC 28035 at: https://community.davidson.edu/gift-form ( choose “Other” in Designation dropdown menu and type in “Cole Barton Davidson Research Initiative Fund”) or the Davidson Housing Coalition, 220-A Sloan Street, Davidson, NC 28036 (https://davidsonhousing.org), two places where Cole found deep purpose and community. Details of his celebration of life will be shared soon. 

A memorial service will be held on Friday, January 16, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. at the Duke Family Performance Hall on the Davidson College campus.

Dr. Dennis Ray Appleyard, 85, of Chapel Hill, North Carolina (NC), passed away on March 13, 2025. Dennis was a devoted husband, loving father, inspiring professor, and service-oriented leader. He was a pillar of his varied communities, bringing joy and inspiration to all who knew him.

Dennis was born in 1939 in South Haven, Michigan, to Edwin and Hortense Appleyard. Alongside his twin brother and lifelong friend Dr. David Appleyard, Dennis grew up in South Haven surrounded by his parents and grandparents, as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. Dennis completed his undergraduate studies at Ohio Wesleyan University, where he played tennis, edited the yearbook, and joined the Delta Tau Delta fraternity. He went on to earn his Masters and Ph.D. in Economics at the University of Michigan. While there, in 1963, he married Gwen Greenfield, his college sweetheart. Upon graduation, they moved to Chapel Hill, NC, where they raised three children: Douglas, Amy, and Karen.

Dennis was a professor of Economics at the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill from 1966 to 1989, where he received numerous accolades, including the university-wide Tanner Award for “Excellence in Inspirational Teaching of Undergraduate Students” in 1983. In 1990, he and Gwen moved to Davidson, NC, where he served as the James B. Duke Professor of International Studies and Professor of Economics at Davidson College from 1990 to his retirement in 2010, after which he retained Emeritus status and continued his work and research. While at Davidson, Dennis served as Chair of the Department of Economics as well as Director of the college’s Semester-in-India Program. In 2004, he received the Thomas Jefferson Award for his influence in teaching and service given “generously and well beyond the call of duty.” Dennis’s scholarly work has appeared in American Economic Review, Economic Development and Cultural Change, History of Political Economy, Indian Economic Journal, International Economic Review, among others. In collaboration with his dear friend and colleague Alfred J. Field, Professor Emeritus of Economics at UNC-Chapel Hill, Dennis co-authored the textbook International Economics, which was first published in 1992 with eight subsequent editions. In addition to teaching and publishing, Dennis also consulted for the World Bank, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (in Islamabad, Pakistan).

Dennis was a dedicated, intelligent, and compassionate man with a witty sense of humor and broad interests. His memberships in multiple book clubs epitomized his insatiable curiosity and fueled friendships that spanned decades. Dennis was a lifelong fan of music. He played piano and clarinet and sang in barbershop quartets, musical productions, and the choirs at both University Presbyterian Church in Chapel Hill, and Davidson College Presbyterian Church. He loved teaching, often saying that it kept him young in spirit. An active community member, he served in leadership roles within his church, UNC-Chapel Hill, Davidson College, and Carolina Meadows Retirement Community. Dennis was an avid sports fan and could recount copious statistics for baseball (major and minor league), college basketball, and the Carolina Panthers. Most of all, he loved and was devoted to Gwen and to his family. He looked forward to annual family beach trips where he spent time with his children and grandchildren, doing puzzles, going for bike rides, swimming in the ocean, fixing martinis, and sharing lively conversation and competitive card and board games well into the night.

Dennis is survived by his brother David, son Douglas and wife Jennifer Appleyard, daughter Amy and husband Matt Basiliere, and daughter Karen and husband Chris Carmody. He is also survived by six grandchildren: William Appleyard and wife Brittany Diamond; Sarah Appleyard; Lola Basiliere, Bianca Basiliere, and Raquel Basiliere; and Ayla Carmody. He is preceded in death by his wife Gwen (2003), daughter-in-law Taylor Yeargin Appleyard (2012), and sister-in-law Joey Appleyard (2024).

The family extends gratitude to UNC Hospitals Hillsborough Campus and Transitions LifeCare in Raleigh, NC, for the exceptional care provided to Dennis and family during this difficult time.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to University Presbyterian Church (Chapel Hill, NC), Davidson College Presbyterian Church (Davidson, NC), the Arthritis Foundation, or Transitions LifeCare (Raleigh, NC).

A celebration of Dennis’s life will be held on Wednesday, March 19, at 2 p.m. at University Presbyterian Church in Chapel Hill with a reception afterwards, followed by a private committal service.

It is with great sadness that we share the news that Professor Emeritus of Anthropology Bill Ringle passed away on Friday, November 8 while traveling with his family.

Professor Ringle’s teaching and scholarship focused on ancient Maya political organization and community formation in northern Yucatan, where he co-directed the Bolonchen Regional Archaeological Project.

Bill played a central role in building Davidson’s Anthropology Department. He also supported the study of archaeology at Davidson for many years. His death is a great loss to our community and to the scholarly communities to which he contributed.

T.C. Price Zimmermann, a specialist in late Medieval and Renaissance history, became the vice president of academic affairs and dean of faculty at Davidson College July 5, 1977. According to an article in The Davidsonian published a few weeks later, he brought with him “13 years of teaching experience, an expertise in expeditionary climbing and photography, and 100 cases of books.”

Zimmermann died Oct. 5, 2024, and the college remembers his life of leadership, service and impact on the liberal arts education offered at Davidson.

One of Zimmermann’s first priorities in his new role was to standardize hiring for new faculty. 

“What is important to determine is if the professor is successful, excited and prepared,” he said. “Teaching requires imagination; to imagine what it is like to be approached by the material for the first time.” 

Zimmermann’s influence on teaching and learning at Davidson College lasted until he retired from Davidson in 2000 as the Charles A. Dana Professor Emeritus of History.

The lifelong learner, writer and educator was hired by the late President Emeritus Sam Spencer ’40, who said at the time of the hire, “Price Zimmermann combines to an unusual degree high competence and deep commitment. His credentials are impeccable and his record most impressive.”

His work at Davidson continued alongside President Emeritus John W. Kuykendall ’59.

“In our initial visit, Price told me he wanted to get me through my first two years, and then he would return to teaching,” Kuykendall recalled. “He was really like a big brother to me those first years — saved me a lot of grief in some instances and gave me a lot of good advice. I remember in one instance, he said to me, ‘We shouldn’t have any daylight between us,’ and that’s pretty much how we did everything we did.” 

Zimmermann was a prepared, thoughtful and direct administrator, according to Kuykendall, and he had a great sense of what the different disciplines needed. 

“He wasn’t always able to do everything people wanted him to do, but they always understood why he made the decisions he made,” he said. “He related superbly to the faculty.”

Kuykendall also remembers fondly the time spent with Zimmermann and his wife, Margaret, over the years. The couple met at an event at the American Alpine Club. Margaret’s father was an avid climber, like Price, and she attended a dinner on her father’s behalf. The two were seated together and the rest, as they say, is history. 

Scholar, Teacher, Community Leader

Zimmermann was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate from Williams College and a John E. Moody Memorial Scholar at Oxford University. He received his graduate education at Harvard University and the University of Florence. He wrote for numerous scholarly publications, primarily on Paolo Giovio, a prominent 16th century Italian historian.

The scholar, writer and researcher arrived at Davidson from Reed College, where he taught from 1964-1977. At the time of his Davidson appointment, the dean at Reed College said, “I don’t know any faculty member who has better relations with students. He has cordial, friendly relationships with a wide range of students.” A colleague added, “Although reserved in demeanor, he enjoys people and moves easily in a wide range of humanistic fields and had the good sense to listen to others in areas outside his competence. He is a person of unquestioned integrity and moral probity.” 

From 1967-1970, Zimmermann was a member of the selection committee of the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation. He subsequently served as a member of the Oregon Committee of the National Endowment for the Humanities between from 1971-1977. Outside of his scholarly pursuits, Zimmermann was active in several community organizations over the years, including the Botanical Gardens at UNC Charlotte, Opera Carolina and the Lowell Observatory — he and his wife, Margaret, had the asteroid ‘Callander’ named after them by Lowell Observatory in 1983. He held leadership roles with the American Alpine Club and served on the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Outward Bound School in Morganton.  

“Along with many others, I give thanks for the life of Price Zimmermann,” said Davidson College President Doug Hicks ’90. “He interviewed me when I was a prospective student in 1986 (he was an intimidating presence!) and was supportive of me as a student. When I returned to campus as president, Price went out of his way to welcome me back to Davidson. A unique and brilliant man, he added so much to our intellectual and campus community.”