Grounded and Ready: Senior Spotlight on Ainsley Davis

Ainsley Davis came to play ball. The senior double major transferred to TLU to join the Bulldogs softball team, and in only three years, she'd not only played in a collegiate World Series, but has also managed to earn two BAs-in political science and sociology-which she will officially receive this December. On top of that, she's a member of Pi Sigma Alpha honor society and a leader in the CIVIC Club.

"Ainsley started making a difference at TLU quickly after she transferred here," said Assistant Professor of Political Science Dr. William O'Brochta, Davis's primary advisor. "She actively contributes in all of her courses, bringing a significant amount of experience and research to her contributions. I'm particularly pleased about the active role that Ainsley took in mentoring other students in the social sciences-through her willingness to be the founding vice president of our department club, the CIVIC Club, Ainsley has helped to establish a more engaging departmental culture that will continue to impact our students in the coming years."

So, she's made an impact and will leave a legacy, but what will Davis take with her as she transitions into her next chapter? "What I carry with me most is the lesson of presence," she says. "Whether contributing to a team or pursuing individual goals, being fully present allows us to recognize the prayers answered, the blessings unfolding, and the moments we have long hoped for. Every interaction with teammates, coaches, and friends matters. Life becomes richer and more abundant when we choose gratitude for the opportunities, both big and small, that each day brings."

And she'll also carry an assortment of memories-one of the best of which she gained surrounded by her teammates. "One of the greatest blessings of my college years was playing in the D3 Women's College World Series during my final softball season of 2024 to 2025. It was my last season, my last time stepping onto the field, and my last game as an athlete. Not everyone gets to say they ended their career competing for a national championship, and I count that as a gift. The journey to get there was filled with adversity, but through it all we fought together as a team, guided by an incredible coaching staff who led us until the very last out. I would not change a single moment."

After graduation, she'll be staying in New Braunfels, working downtown as a Legal Assistant for Morrigan Land at Casteel and Casteel PLLC Law Firm. "While I work at Casteel and Casteel, I will be preparing for law school applications and aiming to attend law school starting in the Fall of 2027."

So Davis's graduation will signify an ending, yes-but it's really more of a beginning. And she's set to make the world a better place in her own way. "As I step into this new season of life, I am firmly grounded in my faith. I hope that the words I speak bring life, and that every interaction reflects the light of Jesus. I want my journey to stand as a testimony to the peace and unconditional love that comes from trusting in the Lord's perfect plan for His sons and daughters. I hope that, in time, every person will encounter Jesus, and until then, I strive to be a lighthouse guiding those still in darkness toward His truth."