As executive director of student affairs, Brooke White has made an impact on the lives of many UWindsor students during her almost 40 years on campus.

The organizers of a reception celebrating her retirement feel it’s only appropriate that her legacy lives on.

“The Brooke White Leadership Award will keep her name where it belongs: associated with the success of students at the University of Windsor,” says Clayton Smith, dean of students. “It is a fitting tribute to someone who has dedicated her career to serving their needs.”

Grad Abu Arif (BA 2007, MA 2009), now coordinator of international student services at Ryerson University, says White was a friend and mentor to him during his time in Windsor.

“She taught me that if I want to make any changes, then I must act to make those changes happen,” he says. “Brooke White is a great leader who has created great leaders.”

Melodie Barnett (BA 1994), who worked as a student intern, says White taught her a valuable lesson.

“More than anything, she taught me that humanity—warmth, humour and just being who you are—has an everyday place at work,” Barnett says. Managing partner of Pivot Communication, she is co-author of a book that draws on that lesson, entitled An Honest Living: be wildly successful without being a jerk.

White first joined the UWindsor staff as a clerk in the Leddy Library in 1975, gaining promotion as an admissions officer in the registrar’s office to a supervisory position there, taking the reins of the division of student affairs in 1998 and finally, executive director of student development and support in 2009. She received the President’s Achievement Award in 1992.

An open house reception in her honour is set for Monday, November 10, from 2 to 4 p.m. in Katzman Lounge, Vanier Hall. Learn more about the Brooke White Leadership Award or make an online contribution to its endowment fund on the student affairs website.