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Presidential Search

Dr. Lori S. White
named DePauw’s
21st president

Accomplished student affairs leader will take the helm July 1

Dr. Lori S. White in gold

Dr. Lori S. White named DePauw’s 21st president

Dear DePauw Faculty, Staff and Students,

It is my great honor to announce that the DePauw University Board of Trustees voted unanimously today to appoint Dr. Lori S. White as the university’s 21st president.

Effective July 1, Dr. White will join DePauw from Washington University in St. Louis, where she serves as the vice chancellor of student affairs. Dr. White brings more than 30 years of higher education experience at institutions such as Southern Methodist University, the University of Southern California, Stanford University and Georgetown University. She will be the first woman and person of color to lead DePauw. Read More

“Dr. White is a team-oriented listener who believes that people at all levels of the university contribute to its success. It was clear to the search committee that she is a relationship builder who values the role, perspective and knowledge that everyone brings, including staff, faculty, students, and alumni.”

Rob Harper, chair of the Staff Advisory Council, director, major capital projects

“As a student serving on the search committee, I’m excited about Dr. White’s appointment because she has a long track record of addressing student issues and supporting students at her previous institutions. I believe she’ll improve the student academic life experience at DePauw and help DePauw become a more inclusive and equitable community.”

Christian Hernandez '20 , DePauw Student Government president

"Through a quite rigorous and diligent search process, Dr. White emerged as the unanimous choice for DePauw. Her experience, passion and understanding of the value of a liberal arts education — and what it takes to develop and execute a clear vision — couldn’t come at a more important time in DePauw’s evolution. There’s a critical opportunity for my fellow alums to step up, participate and engage during her transition, not only to celebrate our own DePauw experiences, but to ensure that this country continues to be nurtured by future DePauw graduates." 

Sarah Gormley, '94, Alumni Association Board of Directors member

“I'm thrilled to be welcoming Dr. White to the presidency of DePauw. I deeply respect her strong background in student affairs as well as her work with advising and student success initiatives, and I think she already has an excellent sense of what makes a DePauw liberal arts education distinctive, valuable and transformative for our students. She listens and responds to community needs with empathy, communicates clearly but gracefully and leads by example. She genuinely cares about the human element of the work we do, and she recognizes and values all the voices in a community. I think she is exactly what DePauw needs right now, and she will be equally responsive to the concerns of faculty, staff, students, trustees and alums.”

Amity Reading, associate professor of English

“Throughout her career, Dr. White has brought a student-centered approach to her work and the work of the institutions she has served. She understands that the student experience is best served when academics, co-curricular experiences and residential life are considered holistically. Her success at world-class institutions has been due, in large part, to her ability to engage authentically with all constituents. She is a team-oriented leader who is engaging, energetic and passionate about the liberal arts, access and student success. The Board of Trustees is excited about DePauw’s future under Dr. White’s leadership.”

Kathy Patterson Vrabeck '85, chair of DePauw University Board of Trustees

OCTOBER 23, 2019

Presidential Search Committee Update

Justin Christian ’95, chair of the DePauw University presidential search committee, today updated members of the community regarding the information gathering process for the Presidential Prospectus.
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SEPTEMBER 10, 2019

DePauw Presidential Search Committee Members Announced, Initial Meetings Scheduled

Justin Christian ’95, chair of the DePauw University presidential search committee, today announced members of the committee who will join him in the search for DePauw’s 21st president ...
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July 19, 2019

Chair of the presidential search committee named.

Dear DePauw Community, I write to provide a brief update as we prepare to launch a national search for DePauw’s 21st president to succeed Dr. McCoy in July 2020...
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