[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 86 (Wednesday, June 9, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1053]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING DR. FRANCES L. WHITE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 9, 2010

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Frances L. 
White, a community college educator for 32 years who is retiring as the 
Superintendent/President of the Marin Community College District. Dr. 
White is a distinguished leader who is herself a community college 
graduate. She is a dedicated educator committed to the community 
college mission and to the welfare of students, particularly those in 
the 112 public community colleges in California.
  A former full-time faculty member in the Peralta Community College 
District, Dr. White earned her Ph.D. in education administration from 
the University of California at Berkeley. As an administrator she has 
served in a variety of roles including President of Skyline College in 
San Bruno, California and Executive Vice Chancellor at City College of 
San Francisco. She is the recipient of many awards and recognitions, 
the author of scholarly publications, and has directed numerous 
workshops on college leadership, mentoring, and institutional 
effectiveness. In March, the Association of California Community 
College Administrators awarded her the prestigious 2010 Harry Buttimer 
Distinguished Administrator Award.
  Starting at College of Marin during a period of considerable turmoil, 
Dr. White is credited with working with the Board of Trustees and the 
Faculty to successfully stabilize a district plagued by decades of 
declining enrollments, crumbling classrooms, financial instability, 
poor community connections, and on the brink of accreditation loss. 
Capitalizing on her powerful personal qualities, White put a recovery 
plan in place and implemented a strategic direction that arrested the 
downward spiral and set the college on a visionary course.
  A leader with considerable collaborative skills, Dr. White is a 
compassionate mentor, both to students and to colleagues. With her 
dedicated support, the Academic Senate developed and implemented 
Student Learning Outcomes and Program Review, essential for the 
institution to reestablish accreditation in good standing and what led 
the Academic Senate leaders to receive statewide recognition for their 
outstanding efforts.
  Not one to shy from challenges, three weeks after taking the helm at 
College of Marin, the Board of Trustees passed a resolution to place a 
countywide facilities bond on the ballot. While most thought it would 
fail, under Dr. White's guidance and tireless work, the Measure C Bond 
was successful and received broad community support. The $250 million 
bond made it possible for the College to undertake long-deferred 
facilities renovation and modernization creating newly designed and 
energy efficient, student-centered learning environments on both the 
Kentfield and Indian Valley campuses, which helped generate a 15% 
enrollment increase at Kentfield and a 135% enrollment increase at 
Indian Valley.
  In addition to being a very competent administrator, Dr. White 
understands the importance of raising private funds for the College of 
Marin, and has been innovative in creating opportunities for friends of 
the college to support its mission. Launching the highly successful 
``President's Circle'' as well as the ``Education Excellence Innovation 
Fund,'' Dr. White has established an enviable budget reserve of 12 
percent. The College has been very fortunate Dr. White came at a 
critical time and was able to initiate significant change and a notable 
shift in the institutional culture.
  Madam Speaker, Dr. White is a gracious woman of remarkable talent and 
considerable commitment, and it is therefore appropriate to honor her 
today and to wish her well in her next endeavor. Congratulations, Fran 
White--you will be missed.

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