Physiology sophomore Alvin Davis Jr. got the chance to speak to one of his role models and a former president earlier this month, as well as to take home $5,000.

Davis was one of 80 students awarded an Ora Lee Sanders Memorial PUSH-Excel Scholarship from the Rainbow/Push Coalition at a ceremony in Chicago, and one of 40 to get a $5,000 scholarship.

"I was excited when I found out," said Davis, a native of Berrien Springs, located near Benton Harbor. "I was jumping up and down."

While there, Davis got the chance to meet civil rights activist and coalition founder the Rev. Jesse Jackson and former President Bill Clinton. Davis received the scholarship after writing an essay on his goal of becoming a surgeon. His father, Alvin Davis Sr., heard about the scholarship after Jackson came to speak at Benton Harbor High School, where he's a counselor.

The younger Davis is a professorial assistant to chemistry professor Kathleen Hoag. He is currently working with Hoag on vitamin A deficiencies.

"He's very humble and a hard worker," Hoag said. "He doesn't settle for second best for himself."

Hoag also said Davis is a good student and researcher. She said students with professorial assistantships usually score within the top one percent on the ACT test.

"As a student, he picks up things very well." Hoag said. "He's not hesitant to try new techniques."

The elder Davis said his son has always worked hard on his grades and goals.

"I would say he's an ambitious person who was always studying," the elder Davis said. "Sometimes I would wake up in the morning for work and he'd be in his room studying."

The younger Davis, who has a grade point average of 3.39 and received a 30 on the ACT test, said the scholarship money will help him out significantly.

"I want to find the cure for cancer and I feel that the money will help fund these goals," he said.

The money was only part of the event, however, as Davis said he was excited to meet Jackson, who asked Clinton questions about his life and career, as well as issues within the Democratic and Republican parties. Davis said he got a chance to briefly speak with Jackson.

"He's a real nice guy and he's doing a lot for the African-American community," he said.

Davis also said he enjoyed listening to Clinton talk about his life and the adversity he faced while growing up.

"I learned persistence from him and working towards goals that don't seem possible," he said.

Davis also said he told Jackson they would meet again.

"I told him he'd be hearing from me."