[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 173 (Friday, December 2, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1573]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              REMEMBERING CHANCELLOR DEBRA SAUNDERS-WHITE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DAVID E. PRICE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, December 2, 2016

  Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
life and legacy of Dr. Debra Saunders-White, Chancellor of North 
Carolina Central University. Her death at 59, after a valiant battle 
with kidney cancer, is a tragic loss for the university and our state. 
My wife Lisa and I extend our condolences to the family of Dr. 
Saunders-White, the North Carolina Central community, and her extensive 
network of colleagues and friends.
   Chancellor Debra Saunders-White was a first-generation college 
student, which gave her insight into the obstacles many students and 
families face and a passion to overcome them. She also understood the 
opportunities that come with higher education, especially for lower-
income students. She was often found talking with students in the lunch 
hall or while walking around campus. Her warmth, the personal interest 
she took in students, and her courage in the face of adversity won the 
hearts of all who knew her.
   Dr. Saunders-White began her career as Assistant Provost of 
Technology at Hampton University, where she later served as Chief 
Information Officer. In North Carolina, she first served at the 
University of North Carolina at Wilmington in the roles of Vice 
Chancellor of Information Technology, interim Associate Provost, and 
finally Chief Diversity Officer in the Office of Institutional 
Diversity. In May 2011, Dr. Saunders-White moved to Washington, D.C. to 
serve as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Higher Education Programs in 
the Department of Education.
   On June 1st, 2013 Debra Saunders-White was appointed by UNC 
President Tom Ross and welcomed as the first female chancellor of North 
Carolina Central University, one of the top Historically Black 
Universities in this country.
   During her time as chancellor, Dr. Saunders-White led an era of 
growth for North Carolina Central University, cultivating a theme of 
``Eagle Excellence''. Her legacy includes the expansion of a dual 
degree program with North Carolina State University, as well as a 
collaboration with Durham Technical Community College to allow more 
students to transfer to NCCU. Construction of both a new business 
school and student center will begin next year thanks to Chancellor 
Saunders-White's efforts. It is a tribute to her legacy that this year 
North Carolina Central University was recognized as ``HBCU of the 
Year'' by HBCU Digest.
   I join the North Carolina Central University and Durham communities 
in mourning the passing of Debra Saunders-White, who set the university 
towards an even brighter future with her wise stewardship and strategic 
vision. We eagerly anticipate the new student center and will think of 
her every time we walk into it.
   Chancellor Saunders-White combined professionalism and a 
collaborative style in a unique way, and I always enjoyed working with 
her. I especially admired her courage and determination in continuing 
to provide leadership throughout her battle with cancer. We join with 
her family, her many friends, and the students, faculty, and staff of 
NCCU, in mourning her passing and honoring her exemplary life.

                          ____________________