Hailing from a lineage of history enthusiasts, Dr. John Charles White holds the title of professor emeritus at the University of Alabama at Huntsville, where he served as a professor between 1976 and 1991. A past director and acting chairman of the Department of Languages and Literature for three years, he also served the university as chairman of the Department of History from 1970 to 1991, associate professor from 1970 to 1976 and assistant professor from 1967 to 1970. During his tenure in education, he was a teacher for the University of Maryland European Division in the mid- 1960s. Post-retirement, he served as a European travel consultant from 1991 to 2008.
Dr. White was influenced to enter the field of history by his undergraduate history professor, Dr. William Jenks. Modeling his teaching modalities after Dr. Jenks, Dr. White was also inspired to enter education by his greatgrandmothers, who obtained a college education during an era where it was uncommon for women to receive higher education. An alumnus of Duke University, Dr. White received a PhD in French history on a Southern Fellowship in 1964.
A contributor of articles on French administrative history to professional journals, Dr. White is a past editor for Proceedings Consortium on Revolutionary Europe in 1977 and 1981. Likewise, he served to the ranks of first lieutenant and captain in the U.S. Army Reserve in France and Fort Campbell in Kentucky between 1964 and 1967. While in France, he was awarded the City Medals of Dunkirk and Chalon-sur-Saone.
Civically involved as well, Dr. White sat on the board of directors of the Alabama Preservation Alliance and was a committee member of the National Endowment for the Humanities. A former vice chairman of the board of Alabama Constitution Hall, he was also a board member of the Alabama Humanities Foundation and president of Alliance Française. He has also been active with the Huntsville Literature Association and Huntsville Museum Association.
In light of his outstanding contributions to history and education, Dr. White received an Award of Merit from the Alabama Historical Commission in 1978, as well as Certificates of Appreciation from the Governor of Alabama and Alabama Senate, an Appreciation Award from the University of Alabama Alumni Association and a Multicultural Services Recognition Award from the University of Alabama at Huntsville. Furthermore, he received a National Service Award from Phi Sigma Iota, Founder’s Day Leadership Award from Omicron Delta Kappa and a National Scholarship Medal from Phi Alpha Theta. A frequent grantee, he has been happily married to his wife Carolyn for more than 55 years. He enjoys reading and traveling in his spare time.
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