Alumni Profile – David Padgett, Class of 1988

This article appeared originally in the Fall 2019 issue of Frontiers Magazine. 

Officer David Padgett was selected as a finalist for the 2019 Charlotte Mecklenburg Community Police Relations Award for his work with the Latin American Coalition. Padgett has worked closely with the Latin American Coalition over the last five years to find a location to open a day labor center in order to give day laborers a safe place out of the elements while they wait on contractors to pick them up for work. Padgett also led several glove and coat drives to ensure that day laborers have the necessary clothing items while working outside in different types of weather.

In 2018, Padgett retired from the United States Army Reserve after 30 years of honorable service. During his time in the Army, Padgett earned the title of Lieutenant Colonel and was deployed to Kuwait, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

When asked about his time at SMC, Padgett says, “I gained a new appreciation for academia due to the patience of my professors and student tutors. Of my four years of college, my experiences at SMC will always be my favorite. I took the study skills I gained from SMC and continued my studies at Presbyterian College where I received my major in Political Science and a minor in English Literature.”