Helen Davis, who was a leader of the Campus Y at Washington University in St. Louis, died Thursday, May 21, 2026. She was 95.
Among her many roles, Davis served as executive director of the WashU Campus Y from 1976 until 1995. When she retired, the university established the annual Helen Davis Humanitarian Award, given to an outstanding student, in recognition of her contributions to WashU and St. Louis.
Davis believed in empowering students from all backgrounds. During her tenure, student participation in the Campus Y grew from 400 to 1,600 active students. She helped encourage many student-led traditions such as “Freshman Camp” at Trout Lodge, an alternative spring break service trip, a Chinese cooking class and a student-led International Bazaar. Under her leadership, the Campus YMCA endowment grew from $2,000, when she started, to nearly $350,000 when she retired in 1995.
A celebration of Davis’ life will take place at 10:30 a.m. June 17 at Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ, 826 Union Blvd., St. Louis, Mo., 63108. Read more about her in the family obituary.