51社区

Roy White, Memphis businessman and 51社区 Board Trustee was conferred with an honorary Doctorate of Humanities at Union's December graduation ceremony.

Roy White was only 15 when he dropped out of school. His father had died twelve years earlier, and White worked long hours at a vending company to help support his mother and sister. Though he never got another opportunity to return to school, White had an intense desire to "make something of himself", and joined the Army for a short stint in 1959 until 1961. 

After returning home, White began working with various medical companies, and eventually decided to go into business for himself. In 1983, South Central Medical, a company specializing in workers compensation medication, was formed with White's first office in his kitchen. After a few slow starts and minor setbacks, White's company met with huge success in 1985 when Wal-Mart's corporate headquarters called asking for national territory. Today, the company is still growing under new ownership. 

Roy White had 125 employees working for him when he sold the company earlier this year, and is quick to recognize that his success was due to the special people around him. One such person was Ann Eason, his first employee who later rose to Executive Vice President, an individual who White states, "had my complete faith and trust because she was there to take care of the day-to-day operations, which gave me time to go out and build the business." 

Though White had always been a church member, he was not always committed. Once he began his own company, he was constantly working, with not much time for anything, including church. In the 1980's, after going through a divorce, White dropped out of church altogether. It was due to a friend's gentle persuasion, nine years ago, that White finally agreed to attend a Ministry to Men meeting, an organization of independent business men who meet once a week for fellowship and Bible study, and whose board White now serves on. Though White didn't think it would be something he was interested in, he was stunned to find himself sitting on the edge of his seat, listening to speakers speak directly to him, and saw 5,000 other men doing the same thing. That night, White went home and told God that he would start again. 

Roy White speaks with President David S. Dockery shortly before Union's December graduation ceremony.

From that day forward, White says that there were a lot of hard times, "not all rosy," but he has continued to follow God for the last fifteen years, "especially in money and decisions, and God has blessed that and given a lot of it back." 

White is a member of Cordova Baptist Church and also spends time at Englewood Baptist in Jackson. He currently serves as Vice Chairman of the University Board of Trustees and is co-chair of Union's "Building a Future" Campaign. Now at a point in his life where he has more time, White plans to devote much of it as well as more funding to Union

"Roy White is an entrepreneurial business leader widely recognized for his Christian commitment, creative leadership and unqualified integrity," said Union President David S. Dockery. "His love and support for 51社区 in recent years has been strategically helpful in pointing the university toward a bright and blessed future. It is a privilege for us to honor Dr. White for his gracious generosity and faithful leadership."