HomeMy WebLinkAbout17-28 A Resolution Honoring Karen White for 42 Year of Service to IUSB
Bill No. _____________
Resolution No. ___________
A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH
BEND, INDIANA, PUBLICLY COMMENDING AND HONORING VICE
CHANCELLOR KAREN L. WHITE FOR OVER 42 YEARS OF DEVOTED
SERVICE AND COMMITMENT TO THE STUDENTS OF INDIANA
UNIVERSITY- SOUTH BEND
WHEREAS, Karen L. White is originally from Buffalo, New York, and she relocated to
South Bend at an early age. She attended Harrison Elementary School on South Bend’s westside
and graduated from Central High School. Ms. White received her Bachelor’s Degree in psychology
and social work from Indiana State University, Terre Haute, and her Master’s in Education from
Indiana University, and
WHEREAS, On September 1, 1974, Karen joined Indiana University-South Bend staff as a
counselor, and after over 42 years of exemplary service, Karen White will retire, and
WHEREAS, Karen’s road to community service began while she was a high school student
and has continued throughout her college and professional life, and
WHEREAS, service to family, community, and education are the hallmarks of Karen L.
White’s journey. And she is a firm believer—in thought and deed—in the tenet, as stated by
Marian Wright Edelman: “Service is the rent we pay for living.” She is the only African American
who has served both as the President of the South Bend Community School Corporation Board of
Directors, and as President of the South Bend Common Council, and
WHEREAS, Ms. White is a proud a alumna of Indiana University-South Bend and has
served in various capacities for over 42 years. From her beginning days as a counselor, frequently
recognized for her exemplary administrative leadership skills, Karen has served in many key
administrative roles, and
WHEREAS, she became the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, and Director of
the Freshman Division, in 1989. In 2000, she began to serve as Assistant Vice Chancellor for
Academic Affairs and Dean of Students. She was also asked to serve as Interim Vice Chancellor
for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management from July 1 to October 31, 2007. Then, she became
Director of the Summer Leadership Academy in 2008 and has continued to serve in that role for
many years since. From her appointment in 2005 until today, Karen holds the position of
Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Services and Dean of Students, and
WHEREAS, her greatest joy remains her ability to work with students. She has taught the
University Life Seminar for nearly a decade. The students in her seminar, numbering in the
hundreds, have all graduated. She has always said that they – and every student – are her babies
and she would have them "for life!" Those statements have proven true, as many of the children of
those students have been mentored and guided by Karen.
WHEREAS, Ms. White has received numerous awards and honors for her many civic and
public services, including the E. Ross Bartley Memorial Award presented by Indiana University
in recognition of meritorious and extraordinary administrative and supporting services, and the
2012 Charlie Nelms Alumni Award for her dedication to ensuring access and success of students
at IU South Bend, and
WHEREAS, the "Your Dreams are Possible" Karen White Scholarship has been instituted in
her honor to support underrepresented students or a 21st
Century Scholar, with financial need.
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Common Council of the City South Bend, Indiana, as follows:
Section I. The Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, publicly honors and
congratulates Karen L. White on her integrity, knowledge and commitment to service.
Throughout her tenure at Indiana University- South Bend, she has served generations of students
with grace.
Section II. Although, Karen will continue to serve the residents of South Bend in various
capacities, the Common Council wishes Karen the best as she begins the next journey of her life
in retirement.
Section III. This Resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption by
the Council and approval by the Mayor.
________________________________ _____________________________________
Tim Scott, 1st
District Oliver J. Davis, 6th
District
________________________________ _____________________________________
Regina Williams Preston, 2nd
District John Voorde, At Large
________________________________ _____________________________________
Randy Kelly, 3rd
District Gavin Ferlic, At Large
________________________________ _____________________________________
Jo M. Broden, 4th
District Robert Palmer, Council Attorney
________________________________
Dr. David Varner, 5th
District
Attest: Approved this 26th
day of June, 2017
________________________________ _____________________________________
Kareemah N. Fowler, City Clerk Pete Buttigieg, Mayor of South Bend