Alumnus John E. White to headline the School of AREAS fourth annual Graduate Recognition Program and Reception

Alumnus John E. White to headline the School of AREAS fourth annual Graduate Recognition Program and Reception

On Monday, May 2, 2016 at 6:00 pm, the Alcorn State University School of Agriculture, Research, Extension, and Applied Sciences (AREAS) will host its fourth annual Graduate Recognition Program and Reception in the Ray Johnson Assembly Center located in the Extension and Research Complex. This year’s keynote speaker will be Alcorn State alumnus John E. White, regional vice president, Sodexo Education in the Midwest.

The School of AREAS will honor 126 students at the Graduate Recognition Program and Reception. The ticket-only reception will follow immediately after the program in the Center for Ecology and Natural Resources.

Well-experienced in the hospitality and service industry, White received a bachelor’s degree in nutrition and institution management from Alcorn in 1985. Upon graduation, he furthered his education at Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky, where he received a master’s of business administration degree.

Currently, White is celebrating 31 years with Sodexo where he held seven positions during his tenure.

Effective September 2016, he will serve as the vice president of the Sodexo mid-Atlantic region.

Some of his accomplishments include: leading in the growth and development of $25 million in new business addresses over four years, 100% client retention for five consecutive years, receiving the Sodexo North America Platinum Team Spirit Award, “Bringing Magic to Saginaw,” and the development of the new Digestive Health Center, where he served as the lead facilitator.

As regional vice president for Sodexo Education in the Midwest, White leads and provides support for over 80 partnerships in the states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan and Wisconsin. He also serves as national chairman of Sodexo’s African-American Leadership Forum.

White is a member of the School AREAS Dean’s Advisory Council. Previously, he served on the Board of Directors for Phi Beta Sigma, and as national program chair and director of Sigma Leadership Academy. Through this experience, he secured a $500,000 grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to fund Conversations Among Brothers Program that has impacted more than 15,000 young college men across the United States.

Immediately following the Graduate Recognition Program, a reception will be held in the Conservatory Room of the Center for Ecology and Natural Resources. For those who wish to attend the reception, a ticket is required. For ticket information, contact Dr. Gwendolyn Lucas-Gordon at [email protected] or (601)877-6253 or Shea N. Gray, administrative assistant, at 601-877-6378 or [email protected].

Student Media Intern KeAmber Council, contributed to this story.