Dr. White was elected the 15th president of Millikin
University in October 2013. He joined Millikin as the interim
president in July 2013. Through his leadership, Millikin University
has been revitalized and reimagined, and he has built a solid
foundation for further growth and success.
"We make this announcement now to give the Board of Trustees and the
University plenty of time to plan a nationwide search and prepare
for a transition in leadership," said President White.
"Millikin has made significant strides in the last six years toward
a new strength and vitality. Millikin's commitment to Performance
Learning is now attracting students as well as faculty and staff
from across the country to an education that builds ability and
confidence to shape dynamic and exciting lives," President White
added. "I am conscious that some 19 percent of my presidency lies
ahead of us. With the development of new buildings, programs and
initiatives, our focus is on the future. We will be working hard up
to the end to move Millikin forward."
"Under President White's leadership, there have been significant
contributions to enhancing Millikin University's campus as well as
Performance Learning experiences for current and future Millikin
students. The University Commons, the Workman Family Softball Field,
and the forthcoming new Center for Theatre and Dance and Workman
Family Baseball Field are among those changes that will continue to
improve the Millikin experience for all," said Millikin Board of
Trustees Chairman Randell Blackburn, retired vice president,
Transportation, Union Pacific Railroad.
Blackburn notes, "We are thankful for the leadership President White
has brought to Millikin and look forward to the work we all - Board,
alumni, staff, faculty, and Millikin's many friends in the Decatur
community and beyond – will accomplish in the coming months."
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In September 2018, Millikin University announced an enrollment of
2,001 undergraduate students, the largest number of undergraduates at Millikin
since fall 2015. Among those students is Caitlyn Garrity, a senior theatre
design and production major from Kaiserslautern, Germany, who says President
White will leave a lasting impact on the Millikin community.
"From the first personalized letters at the time of admissions to
the last handshake at graduation, President White is the face and driving force
that makes Millikin University the welcoming, inclusive and renowned institution
that is dedicated to its students and their education," said Garrity. "A
university president shapes and upholds the values of the school, continues to
foster university growth, and creates the positive atmosphere of campus life.
President White has been doing this and more for years. President White has left
his impact on all the hearts of Millikin."
Among the projects ongoing at Millikin, President White is working with the
Alumni & Development Office to complete $5 million in remaining fundraising for
the Center for Theatre and Dance now rising on campus and gathering
contributions for Phase I of the Griswold Center renovation and expansion
project – a $12 million project. Phase I will include building a facility to
house six new locker rooms for varsity and junior varsity football, Men's and
Women's soccer, and Men's and Women's track & field and cross country. Phase I
also includes a fitness center for the entire campus community as well as
classrooms and team meeting spaces.
The Millikin Board of Trustees has authorized a Presidential Search Committee
and will launch a national search for Dr. White's successor in the coming
months.
For more information on President White, visit millikin.edu/office-president/biography.
[Millikin University Media Relations] |