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Southeastern University (SEU) professor Dr. Joe Davis was recently honored at the Florida Blue Foundation’s 2026 Sapphire Awards, receiving first-place in the Individual Category for his leadership and lifetime advocacy for youth in foster care. Davis will receive $100,000 toward Anchor House Ministries, a faith-based organization serving youth in crisis across Central Florida, where he just concluded his 12-year tenure as executive director. Under his leadership, Anchor House grew more than 600%, expanding housing, education and therapeutic services. When he first joined the organization in 2013, it operated as a single campus serving foster care boys under the age of 18 with a team of 12 staff members. Today, Anchor House employs about 75 staff members and has served thousands of young people through several transitional and residential homes. Davis helped launch Polk County’s first transitional home for young men aging out of foster care, providing them educational support, life skills development and a pathway to independence. Since that point, Anchor House has established three additional transitional homes in Polk County, with plans to open another in Volusia County. The organization also has three residential homes for youth under 18 in Orlando, Bartow and Winter Haven. These homes offer stability, mentorship and hope to those navigating the foster care system. Davis is a professor of religion at SEU and has served within the university’s Barnett College of Ministry & Theology for over 20 years. About SEU Southeastern University (SEU) is a Christ-centered institution of higher learning. Founded in 1935 and located in the Central Florida community of Lakeland, SEU offers more than 120 degree programs including associate, bachelor's, master’s, and doctoral degrees. SEU’s reach expands beyond the Lakeland campus, with a comprehensive online learning program and more than 250 partner site programs worldwide. The university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Learn more at SEU.edu. Skylar Worthington Communications Coordinator O 863.667.5360 E seworthington@seu.edu Southeastern University 1000 Longfellow Blvd. Lakeland, Florida 33801-6034
Southeastern University (SEU) professor Dr. Joe Davis was recently honored at the Florida Blue Foundation’s 2026 Sapphire Awards, receiving first-place in the Individual Category for his leadership and lifetime advocacy for youth in foster care.
Davis will receive $100,000 toward Anchor House Ministries, a faith-based organization serving youth in crisis across Central Florida, where he just concluded his 12-year tenure as executive director.
Under his leadership, Anchor House grew more than 600%, expanding housing, education and therapeutic services. When he first joined the organization in 2013, it operated as a single campus serving foster care boys under the age of 18 with a team of 12 staff members. Today, Anchor House employs about 75 staff members and has served thousands of young people through several transitional and residential homes.
Davis helped launch Polk County’s first transitional home for young men aging out of foster care, providing them educational support, life skills development and a pathway to independence. Since that point, Anchor House has established three additional transitional homes in Polk County, with plans to open another in Volusia County. The organization also has three residential homes for youth under 18 in Orlando, Bartow and Winter Haven. These homes offer stability, mentorship and hope to those navigating the foster care system.
Davis is a professor of religion at SEU and has served within the university’s Barnett College of Ministry & Theology for over 20 years.
About SEU
Southeastern University (SEU) is a Christ-centered institution of higher learning. Founded in 1935 and located in the Central Florida community of Lakeland, SEU offers more than 120 degree programs including associate, bachelor's, master’s, and doctoral degrees. SEU’s reach expands beyond the Lakeland campus, with a comprehensive online learning program and more than 250 partner site programs worldwide. The university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Learn more at SEU.edu.
Skylar Worthington Communications Coordinator O 863.667.5360 E seworthington@seu.edu Southeastern University 1000 Longfellow Blvd. Lakeland, Florida 33801-6034