University Times

Long-time College of General Studies (CGS) staff member Janice J. White died Feb. 25, 2006, of ovarian cancer. She was 51 and had worked at CGS since 1980.

Her family and friends will gather tomorrow, March 17, at the Holiday Inn (University Center) lounge 4-7 p.m. to celebrate her life.

Starting as a receptionist, White held several positions at CGS, including administrative assistant supporting the Department of Community and Continuing Education and program coordinator for the University external studies program, which at one time housed a number of community-outreach programs in nontraditional formats such as Third Age, the summer school program and the high school program.

But she was best known for her work as director of the former College Over Sixty program (an expanded version of which now is a component of CGS’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute), which allowed senior citizens to audit courses for minimal fees.

Joanne Rosol, director of enrollment management for CGS, said White was in high demand for the assistance she provided to seniors in the community.

“Jan was very devoted and passionate about what she did here,” Rosol said. “With the Over 60 program, she would go out of her way helping older students, matching them up with courses, contacting professors, whatever it took.”

Looking back over more than 25 years as co-workers, Rosol recalled how helpful White was in implementing new ideas. “We worked on a number of projects together,” Rosol said. “I remember when we first started our lecture/luncheons, Jan really took the ball and ran with it. She was the one who organized those events, who approached faculty about lecturing and did all the scheduling. She was a great organizer, and she enjoyed doing it.”

Colleague Judith Bobenage, director of the Osher Institute, concurred. “Jan was very conscientious in her dealing with our adult learners, especially in the College Over 60 program. She was very dedicated as the first contact for many of our adult students, encouraging them and guiding them and making the process as easy and pleasant as possible for the people she dealt with. She touched a lot of people and instilled a respect for both the program and the University.”

White grew up in Buffalo and was a graduate of Muskingum College in New Concord, Ohio. She resided in Bloomfield.

Among White’s hobbies was cooking, colleagues said, sometimes treating her co-workers to homemade soup or salsa. She grew some of the ingredients that made their way into her recipes, and often shared vegetables and spices she had grown.

White is survived by her son Christopher of Avalon, a Pitt junior; and brother, Ronald Schane, of Park City, Utah.

The White family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Christopher’s education, c/o Christopher A. White, 224 McKinley Ave., Pgh. 15202.

CGS will be planting a tree in memory of White. For more information, contact Joan King at 412/624-6629.

—Peter Hart