Remembering Former Faculty Member: Dr. Barbara White
Barbara Williams White (1943-2019) passed away on July 19, 2019. She was born February 26, 1943, in Macon, Georgia and was raised in Jacksonville, Florida. White completed her undergraduate studies at Florida A&M University in music education (BS, ’64). She went on to complete bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in social work at Florida State University (BSW, ’74; MSW, ’75; Ph.D., ’86).
She served as a professor and associate dean at the FSU College of Social Work from 1979 until 1993. She ran the MSW program and received a University Teaching Award during her time at FSU. She also later served on the college’s Leadership Council.
“Like many others, I feel very fortunate to call Barbara White my long-time friend, mentor, and inspiration. She was truly a social work superstar with a kind heart, love of family, and humility. We’ve lost a legend, but oh what a legacy,” said Nick Mazza, emeritus dean, and professor of the FSU College of Social Work. “I learned so much from Barbara beginning in her early years as a faculty member and associate dean at FSU. She was admired by students, faculty, staff, and all who had the good fortune to meet her. One of the highlights of my career was when she came to speak at my retirement dinner. Barbara gave us hope during troubled times and I am forever thankful.”
White raised her family in Tallahassee, Florida until relocating to Austin, Texas to take a position at the University of Texas at Austin (UTA). She became the first African American dean in UTA’s history, serving as dean of the UTA School of Social Work from 1993 until 2011.
White retired in 2011 and was named dean emeritus in honor of her outstanding eighteen years of leadership. She received the Presidential Citation in 2012, the highest university award at UTA, as well as the Heman Marion Sweatt Legacy Award. Under her leadership, UTA’s School of Social Work enrollment doubled, achieved a national ranking among the Top 10 social work schools in the country, and led visionary efforts enhancing research and evidence-based practice.
“Barbara has nurtured a culture of believing in humanity’s ability to make this world a better place,” said William Powers, Jr., former president of University of Texas at Austin, about White upon her retirement in 2011. “Her greatest legacy is the many graduates from the School of Social Work who have gone out into the world to make a difference.”
White was a prominent scholar in the areas of cultural diversity, women’s studies, and domestic violence. She was actively involved in social work education. She is a former president of the National Association of Social Work (NASW) as well as the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). She is the only person in the social work profession to have held both these leadership positions.
She also was an active and impactful member of the Board of Directors of the International Association of School Social Workers and the International Federation of Social Workers, along with serving on the boards of many other organizations.
Among the numerous awards she has received are: NASW Pioneer; Presidential Award for Leadership in Social Work Education and the International Rhoda G. Sarnat Award for Contributions to the Public Image of Professional Social Work, NASW; Lifetime Achievement Award, NASW-Texas; Inaugural Fellow and Board Member, American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare; President’s Medal of Honor, Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors; Significant Lifetime Achievement in Social Work Education Award, CSWE; Member, African American Women’s Hall of Fame.