Pamela White Elected Rector

By COLLEEN HUBER

Judge Pamela White was named rector of the University of Mary Washington Board of Visitors after the BOV members voted during their annual retreat in July 2012.

White, a 1974 UMW graduate, succeeds Daniel Steen, a 1984 graduate of UMW and a current member of the BOV.

“I am proud of my B.A. degree from Mary Washington, where I gained a solid foundation for law school, a successful legal career and a lifetime of learning,” said White.

After graduating from UMW, White attended law school at Washington and Lee University. She has served on the Board of Trustees at WLU, according to Martin Wilder, clerk of the BOV.

“She is very experienced as a board member and a very loyal and supportive alumna,” said Wilder.

White became a member of the BOV in July 2009 after former Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine appointed her. White served as vice rector during that time and intends to ask Gov. McDonnell for a reappointment in July 2013.

“I am committed to support and promote the University as a premier liberal arts and sciences institution,” said White.

As the rector, White is the chairperson of the BOV. Her responsibilities as rector include being the chair for the executive committee, running the meetings and being the official spokesperson for the BOV, according to Wilder.

According to the UMW bylaws, the rector is “charged with the duty of promoting a level of interest, involvement and activity among members…as will best contribute to the determination of proper policies, wise planning, intelligent and considerate observance of the rights of the faculty, administration staff, and student body [to] enhance the future welfare of the University.”

Wilder said that White is very engaged with UMW through the alumni board.

“The main thing is that she is very passionate about the University of Mary Washington,” said Wilder.

According to White, she served on the alumni board for several years when they nominated her to serve on the BOV.

Student representative to the BOV, Jeremy Thompson, a senior history and political science double major, began working with White at the end of the 2012 spring semester.

“It’s always such an honor to work with her,” said Thompson. “She is a great example for the board for what we want of our leaders.”

White is also a judge in Baltimore, Md.

White has served the Maryland trial court as judge since February 2007. She also serves the circuit court for Baltimore City, according to White.

White also takes time out of her several duties to support her sports teams also.

“I am a rabid Orioles fan and also expect to cheer the Ravens on to another winning season,” said White.

There are 12 total members on the BOV, and each rector serves a two-year term, according to Wilder.

“By statute, six members have to be alumni,” said Wilder.

The rector is a part of the executive committee, which is comprised of the vice rector, the secretary and two at-large members. Each of the officers serves a two-year term and the at-large members serve one-year terms each, according to Wilder.