Dean Ruth White Retires after 32 Years
This article describes the career of Ruth White. This and other articles may be found in the University Archives.
Citation for this article is: Gwynn, Ruth. "Dean White Retires After 32 Years," Daily Reflector, September, 1967.
Editor's note: The following article is reprinted from the Daily Reflector of September, 1967. Since Dean White is slated to retire on July 1 of this year, the article seemed appropriate. The Daily Reflector offered their cooperation in this attempt to honor one of ECU's outstanding citizens.
By Ruth Gwynn
"I asked for a one year leave of absence from my teaching position in Roanoke Rapids so that I could complete my work on my M. A. degree at East Carolina Teacher's College. That one year has lengthened to 31 years and I am still here," quipped Dean of women, Ruth Allen White.
"I was planning to work as a dormitory counselor (then known as a matron) while working on my masters. This began my work in the Dean of Women's Department. I became Dormitory matron" of Fleming Hall in 1937.
There were only four dormitories then and a staff composed of the Dean of Woman (the only Dean), three dormitory matrons, and a housekeeper."
Today the staff is greatly enlarged. It includes the Dean of Women, two assistants, 16 counselors, eight sorority house mothers, and two housekeepers. Whereas there were only four women's dormitories in 1937, there are now 11.
As East Carolina has grown through the years, so has Dean White's list of honors and accomplishments. White served as a dormitory counselor from 1937-1945, as assistant Dean of Women from 1945-1950, and has held the office of Dean of Women from 1950 to the present.
Her list of honors is a long one. Among them are: dedication of the 1944 year book; Outstanding Alumni Award, 1951; the Buccaneer Citation (1962) for outstanding contributions to the college, to the students, and to her chosen field; and a Silver Tea on her 25th anniversary at the college, at which she was presented a silver tray from the staff and engraved silver goblets from each dormitory and sorority house.
She is an active member of memorial Baptist Church, the American Association for University Women, Delta Kappa Gamma (an honorary sorority), Kappa Delta (a social sorority), The Business and Professional Women's Club, the National Association for Women Deans and Counselors, The southern Personnel Association, The National Education Association, and the North Carolina Education Association.
With all these activities, Dean White still finds the time to fulfill all of her obligations as Dean of Women. "Being Dean is like a mother's work -- it is indescribable and never finished. Every day brings about something new and different," commented the energetic Dean.
The duties of the Dean are many and varied, among them are: selecting and orienting new staff members; coordinating the work of the 16 residence hall counselors; choosing furniture and other furnishings for the women's dormitories ("This involves requisitioning everything from pencil sharpeners to furniture, rugs, and draperies."); assisting with the housing of women students; keeping records of class attendance, class absences, and withdrawals from the college; selecting 52 student hostesses and making their assignments;
Serving as advisor to the Women's Judiciary Board, the Women's Honor Council, and the Panhellenic Council; counseling with women students in "every imaginable area"; serving as coordinator between women students, faculty and the administration; disciplining the women students; keeping parents informed of any difficulties arising with their daughters; and working with the pre-college counseling program.
This Colerain native, a three time graduate of E.C.T.C.(from the two year normal school, her B.A. degree, her M.A. degree), has seen many of the changes that have taken place at East Carolina through the eyes of a student, an employee, and The Dean of Women.
When Dean White came to work as a counselor in 1937, there was only one phone in Cotten Hall, and that was in Miss Morton's office. The counselors received all the calls, sent forthe girls, and they came running to answer the calls. Since the phon was in the office, the counselors had thousands of "sweet nothings" whispered in their ears for which they were intended.
"I recall a time during the war when a fellow overseas called his girlfriend and she had to take the call in our office. He had told her that he loved her, but what a time he had in getting her to say that she loved him! Finally he said in a loud voice, 'If you love me, why don't you say so!?' After that I usually vacated the office when such a call came."
When Dean White was a matron, all dates took place in the Cotten Hall parlor, in order that the person on duty could chaperone the couples. All Sunday night dates had to be registered in advance so as not to exceed the capacity of the parlor. The doors were not opened until 7:00 P.M.
"Early in the evening, the girls came down and held the choice seats (those in the darkest corners). The boys lined up outside and waited to be admitted. We called it the breadline. All dates had to be taken to the Dean's office and introduced to the person on duty."
Sundays were a bif [sic] event in the lives of East Carolina Coeds in 1937. Between 3:00 and 5:00 P.M., students could walk on campus with dates, provided that permission to do so was granted fromt he office of the Dean. Campus was a strictly defined area and it did not include any seclude. Freshmen had definitely limited privileges. They were required to have chaperones if they went riding on Sunday afternoon and finding a suitable chaperone(one approved by the Dean) sometimes posed a problem. Furthermore freshmen could only have six dates each month.
Sophomores and Juniors could have eight dates a monthh, while seniors had unlimited privileges. All dates were in the same place -- Cotten Hall Parlor. The lucky upperclassmen could attend church or a movie on Sundays if they maintained "C" average.
"However," stated Dean White, "Even this was lenient in comparison with the rules in effect when I was a student here. We never went to ride unless it was with near relatives.
"I recall that my brother came to see me on Sunday afternoon, and when I went in and asked Mrs. Beckwith(known as 'Lady principal') if I might go to ride with my brother, she answered 'No! How do I know that he is your brother?'
"We were only allowed to go to town on Monday. Classes were held on Saturday in order that we might do this. We were not permitted to rub elbows with the masses on the streets on Saturday."
"We always wore hats when going to town. A close friend of mine was restricted when a matron saw her wearing her hat on the back of her head.
"Movies were a treat we looked forward to on Mondays but they were always previewed by some member of the administration. If a movie passed the censorship, a notice was posted on the bulletin board and we were permitted to go.
"No one went away for the weekend, not even for Thanksgiving. We stayed here and watched the outdoor basketball games.
"After a student council meeting, all the penalties were posted in a glassed-in bulletin board in the post office. We rushed in the next morning to see whose name had been posted and hoped ours was not on the list.
"Our graduation dresses were white linen, which we made ourselves. We all followed a uniform pattern-11inches from the floor. We all wanted them 12 inches, but Mrs. Beckwith said no. We had to model them and have them checked to be sure the length was correct."
Commenting about her job aas Dean, Dean White stated, "Possibly there are few positions which are more demanding of energy, resourcefulness, and physical stamina than that of a Dean. Certainly there are few positions which can be more rewarding.Working with students of college age is always fascinating. The task of helping young people to develop their potentials and to become finer individuals prepared to give their best to life, is an exciting one."
The dedication in the 1944 yearbook is still applicable: "The nature of her duties has brought her into contact with every one of the students and it has been through her understanding, good judgment, and fairness to all that the students have learned to know, love, and respect her. She has been an inspiration to many and her splendid personality will always be a part of East Carolina Teacher's College."
