Aaronette M. White, associate professor of psychology and associate dean of equity and social responsibility in the Division of Social Sciences of the University of California at Santa Cruz, died unexpectedly at the age of 51. Sheldon Kamieniecki, dean of the Division of Social Sciences at the university, issued a statement that said, “She was a gifted professor of social psychology who loved teaching and was beloved by her students. She was an exceptional scholar who believed in putting theory into everyday life.”
Dr. White joined the faculty at the University of California at Santa Cruz in 2008. Previously, she had taught at Pennsylvania State University, Harvard University, the University of Amsterdam, and the University of the Western Cape in South Africa. Dr. White was a graduate of the University of Missouri and held a master’s degree and a Ph.D. from Washington University in St. Louis.
Dr. White was the editor of the book African Americans Doing Feminism: Putting Theory Into Everyday Practice (State University of New York Press, 2010). She also was the author of Ain’t I a Feminist? African American Men Speak Out on Fatherhood, Friendship, Forgiveness, and Freedom (State University of New York Press, 2008). At the time of her death she was working on two books dealing with her time teaching in Ethiopia on a Fulbright Fellowship.
Dr. White was an incredible professor–full of life and enthusiasm for truth and higher education. Her dedication to my growth was inspiring beyond most academic settings. I will never forget her joy and commitment. Thank you Dr. White.
Thank you! This was beautiful!
Aaronette’s baby sister, Angela