What’s in a Name?: The Study Lounge In Memory of Alice L. Davenport and In Honor of Frannie Smith

A version of this article was originally published in the Summer 2025 issue of the GFS Bulletin.

On the second floor of the Abigail R. Cohen Center for the Arts in the All School Commons, there is a low bench and tables and chairs along the hallway overlooking the courtyard below. During free periods, students gather there to catch up on homework and chat with friends.

This is the Study Lounge In Memory of Alice L. Davenport and In Honor of Frannie Smith, named by Marc DiNardo ’80 and his wife, Elizabeth Drum, MD.

DiNardo is an ardent supporter of GFS and currently serves on the School Committee as Recording Clerk and Clerk of the Facilities Committee. He felt strongly that he wanted his and Drum’s gift to the new building to honor two women of color who made a lasting impact on GFS: Alice Davenport and Frances (Frannie) Smith.

“GFS has made significant progress in addressing issues and concerns around racial diversity, and I trust this will continue,” DiNardo said. “When considering our leadership commitment to the All School Commons, I wanted to acknowledge and honor these African American women that have affected both the school and me in a positive way.”
 

Alice L. Davenport

Alice Davenport taught Kindergarten, first, and third grades at GFS between 1967 and 1975 (she was DiNardo’s first grade teacher in 1968-69). She was known to many as a warm, encouraging, and attentive teacher. 

DiNardo recalled: 

“I remember her frequently coming over to my desk to see how I was doing, and helping if I was having trouble. She did the same with everyone in the class. She gave us the understanding that learning was important but could also be fun and enjoyable. I credit Mrs. Davenport with helping me substantially improve my reading and comprehension skills, which no doubt helped me in all of my further studies.”

Davenport's son, Champ Davenport ’72 said that her focus on literacy (and her teaching style) extended to their home life, as well.

“A really cool thing about my mom is that she would meet individuals where they were, especially those like me who had intellectual gifts but were not that into academia and programmed learning,” he said.

Prior to GFS, Davenport was the first Black teacher in the Norristown school district—an elementary school in Norristown was renamed Alice Davenport Elementary in 2023. She was active in the community, served on many boards, and won numerous awards, including the 2009 NAACP Award for Education and Community Service. 

Champ also noted that his mom loved music (everything from Ray Charles to Prokofiev’s “Peter and the Wolf”), architecture, and driving the family’s '67 Volkswagen. As parents, she and her husband, Horace, often included the kids in family discussions and decisions.

“Mom would often come stand in the doorways of our bedrooms, and ask us kids for advice,” Champ remembered. “It empowered us that she wanted our opinions.”

Alice Davenport passed away in February of 2023 at the age of 103.

Frannie Smith

Frannie Smith was Vice Principal of GFS’ Lower School between 1990 and 2000. While this was after DiNardo had graduated, he got acquainted with her through the First Presbyterian Church in Germantown, where they both attend. 

“Through many different interactions, including meetings and volunteering in the kitchen, I came to know Frannie as the wonderful woman that she is,” DiNardo said. “She has a quiet and sincere way of speaking that commands one’s attention. It is obvious that she has a caring heart and the fortitude and strength to turn that caring into action.”

Smith was and remains devoted to education; she began her career in education in Temple University’s Intern Teaching Program, and spent her early years teaching science to both middle and high school students in public schools. Smith and her husband Peter enrolled their children at GFS, and in 1990, she joined the Lower School administration as Vice Principal.

From GFS, Smith went on to serve as Vice President for Education at Girard College from 2000 to 2010. 

Smith generously offered her time and expertise as a member of the GFS School Committee from 2012 through 2017, and is still connected to GFS today. The impact of her leadership extended to both students and faculty, and her commitment was ultimately driven by her belief that a good education could level the playing field for all.