Remembering Dr. Pamela G. Bourland-Davis
A Life Well Lived
To know her was to be inspired by her. Dr. Pamela G. Bourland‑Davis lived a life rich with purpose, passion and unwavering dedication. Her long‑time commitment to academia, leadership mentoring and the public relations profession left a profound mark on the Department of Communication Arts, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia and all those that had the privilege to know her.
Born on December 5, 1958, at the United States Military Base in Augsburg, Germany, Pam pursued her bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis in public relations at Georgia Southern College, where she was a proud member of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority. She went on to earn both her master’s degree and doctorate of philosophy, laying the foundation for a career defined by excellence and service.
Dr. Pam, as so many knew her, served as Chair of the Department of Communication Arts for 19 years, but her journey at Georgia Southern began long before. As an alumna, PR faculty member for more than 40 years, founding member of the PR Advisory Board and faculty in the master’s program, she gave back to Georgia Southern in countless ways. She came to the department decades ago with passion, vision and fire, all qualities that catapulted it to where it is today. The countless lives she touched as a professor, colleague, mentor and friend are a true testament to the legacy she leaves behind.
Her influence extended far beyond the Georgia Southern campus, however. Pam served as the 2020 President of the Southern States Communication Association, Vice‑Chair of the Commission on Public Relations Education and past editor of the Journal of Public Relations Education. In November 2024, she was recognized by the National Communication Association’s PRIDE Committee for her outstanding contributions and dedication to the field of public relations.
Yet, for all her accolades, Pam’s greatest joy was her family. The love she shared with her husband, Cleve, and especially her son, Ridge, was immeasurable. Whether cheering from the sidelines at Ridge’s baseball games, exploring the wonders of Italy or enjoying a quiet dinner at home, Pam embraced every moment. Her summers in Montepulciano reflected her joy in both teaching and hospitality; lecturing by day and hosting friends by night. She loved a good dinner party, welcoming everyone with open arms and an empty plate, always eager to hear their stories. Always sending them away deeply cared for and well fed.
Pam had an unparalleled gift for seeing value in people, places and things. No one and nothing was ever a lost cause to her. She recognized potential others couldn’t see in themselves, then helped them cultivate it - mentoring, encouraging and cheering them on as they bloomed. For many, her mentorship grew into cherished friendship. She loved big, laughed often and brought joy wherever she went. Her cooking was legendary, her laughter contagious and her kindness unwavering.
A longtime member of First Baptist Church of Statesboro, Pam faithfully taught Sunday School for more than 30 years. Her Sunday School class was of great importance to her. She studied and prepared diligently each week, so she could help shape and guide the lives of every fourth grader that came in her class for over 30 years. Pam was brilliant in the world of academia and PR but her brilliance didn’t stop there. She knew scripture better than most - not just the words but the truth, context and application of it because she studied it often. More than that, she lived it daily. The genuine kindness, compassion and grace she extended to family, friends, students, coworkers and all those she met was an overflow of the kindness, compassion and grace she experienced first hand from Jesus. In all Pam did, she acted justly, loved mercy and walked humbly.
Though her gifts to education were outstanding, her kindness, compassion, wit and joyful spirit were equally remarkable. Dr. Pam made the world brighter through her words, her actions and her belief in people. Because of her - her grace, humility and tenacity - we all shine a little brighter.
