Richard White papers, 1964-2017
Navigate the Collection
Summary
- Creator:
- White, R.A. (Richard Alan), 1935-
- Abstract:
- Richard White began his career at Duke University as a professor of Botany in 1963. In addition to teaching and researching plant biology, White held administrative positions including Dean of Arts and Sciences and Dean of Trinity College from 1985-1990, Dean of Trinity College and Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education from 1990-1997, and Director of Sarah P. Duke Gardens in 1999. The collection contains records related to Richard White's work as an administrator and professor. This includes correspondence, reports, notes, and articles related to curriculum planning, commencement, the Biology Department, Duke faculty and students, course materials, and projects outside of Duke.
- Extent:
- 6.5 Linear Feet
- Language:
- Materials in English.
- Collection ID:
- UA.29.02.0278
- University Archives Record Group:
- 29 -- Papers of Faculty, Staff, and Associates
29 -- Papers of Faculty, Staff, and Associates > 02 -- Individuals
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Collection contains records related to Richard White's work as an administrator and professor at Duke. This includes reports, proposals, and correspondence of committees White served on such as the Vascular Plant Herbarium Executive Committee, Biology Curriculum Committee, and Commencement Committee. Consists of correspondence regarding herbarium renovation, memos about the Duke University and Howard University exchange program, fundraising records, and materials related to revisions to the biology major, faculty and student relations, student life, and laboratory manuals. Contains lecture notes, syllabi, and articles from seminars taught by White. Also includes materials related to Project Kaleidoscope and the Beckman Scholars Program.
- Biographical / historical:
-
Richard White was born in 1935. In 1957, he attended Temple University where he received a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Engineering. He went on to study at the University of Michigan where he earned both a master's (1960) and a doctoral degree (1962). He began his career at Duke as a professor of Botany in 1963. He later became chair of the Botany Department from 1978 to 1984. White held several administrative positions including Dean of Arts and Sciences and Dean of Trinity College from 1985-1990, Dean of Trinity College and Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education from 1990-1997, and Director of Sarah P. Duke Gardens in 1999. In his position as director of the gardens, White led the efforts to establish a Doris Duke Center. In 2000, White was named University Marshal and returned to teaching. He described his research as "focused on the development and systematic anatomy/morphology of vascular plants, especially pteridophytes." Richard White Lecture Hall, which opened in 2001, was named in his honor. In 2005, he was named Professor Emeritus of Biology and Dean Emeritus of Trinity College. Richard White died on August 10, 2024.
Sources:
https://library.duke.edu/rubenstein/uarchives/history/exhibits/building-names/east/white, accessed March 6, 2024
https://scholars.duke.edu/person/rwhite, accessed March 6, 2024
- Acquisition information:
- The Richard White papers were received by the University Archives as a transfer from the Biology Department in 2023 and 2024.
- Processing information:
-
Processed by April Blevins and Ani Karagianis, April 2024
Accession UA2024-0056 added by April Blevins, October 2024
Accessions described in this collection guide: UA2023-0044 and UA2024-0056
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Subjects
Click on terms below to find related finding aids on this site. For other related materials in the Duke University Libraries, search for these terms in the Catalog.
- Subjects:
- Universities and colleges -- Departments
Education, Higher -- Curricula
Biology
Botany -- Study and teaching
Botany -- Laboratory manuals
Herbaria - Names:
- Duke University -- Faculty
Duke University -- Administration
Duke University. Department of Biology.
Duke University. Department of Botany
White, R.A. (Richard Alan), 1935-
Contents
Using These Materials
- Using These Materials Links:
-
Using These Materials
- Restrictions:
-
Access restricted. Some materials in this collection include student records. In accordance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 as amended, Duke University permits students to inspect their education records and limits the disclosure of personally identifiable information from education records. Contact Research Services for more information.
Access restricted. Some materials in this collection are university development records. Materials related to individual fundraising prospects are restricted for 70 years. Contact Research Services for more information.
Access restricted. Collection includes materials from the Duke University Board of Trustees. Records of the University's Board of Trustees which have been in existence for at least fifty years are available for scholarly research with the permission of the University Archivist. Access to records which have been in existence for less than fifty years shall be granted only by special permission, in writing, from the Board of Trustees. Contact Research Services for more information.
Access restricted. Collection contains Duke University administrative materials. For a period of twenty-five years from the origin of the material, permission in writing from the office of origin and the University Archivist is required for use of administrative records. After twenty-five years, records that have been processed may be consulted with the permission of the University Archivist. Contact Research Services for more information.
- Terms of access:
-
Copyright for official university records is held by Duke University; all other copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.
- Before you visit:
- Please consult our up-to-date information for visitors page, as our services and guidelines periodically change.
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item], Richard White papers, Duke University Archives, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.
- Permalink:
- https://idn.duke.edu/ark:/87924/m1cq9b