Jimmie D. White, 68, who served as a counselor, administrator and attorney advisor at UCLA’s Dashew Center for International Students and Scholars for 35 years, died in Los Angeles on May 27 of cancer.
During his long career for UCLA Student Affairs, White served thousands of students and scholars from more than 120 countries and changed their lives for the better, colleagues said. From August 1978 until June 2013, he was a counselor for students and scholars, counseling attorney, assistant director and director of student services at the Dashew center.
Born and raised in L.A, White completed his undergraduate studies in political science/business and economic systems at California State University, Dominguez Hills, California.
He joined the U.S. Air Force and spent three years as chief clerk for the Weapon Systems Security Branch in Germany. There, he sharpened his critical thinking and problem-solving skills and validated his strong interest in education and learning.
After his assignment in Europe, he entered UCLA School of Law and graduated in June 1976. Known for his broad interest in intellectual, cultural and enriching experiences, he continued his college education in Europe. In 1978, he completed a master’s degree in international and comparative law (cum laude) at Vrije University of Brussels in Belgium.
White served on the Board of Directors of the Academy for Business Leadership, a nonprofit organization headquartered in Long Beach that provides business leadership teaching and training to dozens of high school students. He also served as an immigration and visa consultant to RAND Graduate School.
More recently, he worked as an education consultant and served on the Board of Directors of Daegu International School in Daegu, South Korea. White was the college counselor for its first graduating class and assisted 11th and the 12th graders with their college applications.
He was also a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of West Los Angeles School of Law and served on its academic integrity committee.
In 2013, NAFSA Association of International Educators recognized his extraordinary contributions by giving him the Ron Moffatt Award in recognition of his many years of demonstrated commitment to international education and social justice.
Passionate about education and sports, White was a fixture on the UCLA campus, always seen wearing his Bruins cap, his colleagues said.
He is survived by his wife, Kuniko; his sons, Eric and Nate; his grandson, Maximillian, and his sister, Crystal Johnson. A memorial service will be held at the Riverside Veterans National Cemetery on June 23 at 10 a.m. The cemetery is located at 22495 Van Buren Blvd., Riverside, Calif. 92518.
