White to retire after 41 years of service; Fraley appointed interim dean of Honors College
After 41 years of service to East Carolina University, Dr. David White, dean of the Honors College, has announced his plans to retire from the university on June 1.
White began his career at ECU in August 1981 as a lecturer in the Department of Health Education before becoming an assistant professor of health education in 1983 and an associate professor and interim chair of the Department of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Safety in 1990. He attained full professor status in 2004 after becoming chair of the Department of Health Education and Promotion. During his time in health education, he saw the status of the unit change from department to the School of Health and Human Performance.
White’s focus on student success continued with his appointment as dean of the College of Technology and Computer Science, which he held from 2008 to 2017. Under his tenure, he oversaw the changing of the name to the College of Engineering and Technology, highlighting the addition of the Department of Engineering in 2008. The size of the student body doubled from approximately 1,700 to 3,400 students.
A proven academic leader, White was chosen to serve as dean for the Honors College in 2016 and oversaw several changes within the college. He continued to demonstrate his dedication to increasing enrollment by expanding the college from 400 to 800 students, all of whom receive scholarships. He also secured the Innovation Design Lab for the college, which is a technology-facilitated environment that uses design to enhance innovation. White also instituted a freshman colloquia series with a theme centered on the Honors College’s ideals of innovation and entrepreneurship.
Dr. Todd Fraley, associate dean of the Honors College and EC Scholars program director, has been appointed interim dean of the Honors College effective June 1.
Fraley joined ECU’s faculty in 2004 as an assistant professor in the School of Communication and became an associate professor and coordinator for undergraduate studies in 2010.
His time in the Honors College began with his work as a faculty fellow for honors and EC Scholars before becoming director of the EC Scholars program in 2014 and associate dean of the Honors College in 2017.
Throughout that time, he helped develop the college and EC Scholars program’s focus on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives from curriculum and programming to admissions and recruitment efforts. He also expanded access to study abroad opportunities and funding for students and built partnerships with a variety of units across campus to offer a diverse slate of honors seminars.
At the university level, he has worked to promote prestigious scholarship and fellowships for students across campus, resulting in multiple Goldwater, Fulbright and Boren recipients at ECU. In 2019, he received the James R. Talton Jr. Leadership Award honoring his demonstration of outstanding servant leadership. He also represented the EC Scholars program nationally by serving on the board of directors for the Undergraduate Scholars Program Administrators Association.
“I am so pleased that Dr. Fraley has accepted the important responsibilities that come with his appointment as interim dean of the Honors College. I have complete confidence in his talents as a leader and his commitment to our mission.,” said Dr. Grant Hayes, interim provost and senior vice chancellor for academic affairs. “The senior leadership team looks forward to working with Dr. Fraley as we continue to advance ECU’s mission.”
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