December 16, 2019 (Jackson, Miss.) - Dr. Kristen K. White, chair and assistant professor of Belhaven's Intercultural Studies Department, was awarded the prestigious 2020 Mississippi Humanities Council Teacher Award. This special honor recognizes the contribution of humanities faculty at each of the Mississippi's colleges and universities.
“In her role as chair and assistant professor, Dr. White is all about building bridges for Belhaven students to understand and engage with the world,” said Belhaven University Provost Dr. Bradford Smith. “Her experiences living in East Asia and having travelled to 45 countries give her a broad understanding of cultural issues built on a depth of training in theology and education. Her enthusiasm in the classroom, love for students and for the world, and commitment to the University's Christian mission to serve all make her a role model and mentor for students interested in working internationally.”
Each honoree is required to deliver a public lecture of their choosing and relevant to their expertise. White will give her presentation on Wednesday, February 19 at 2 p.m. in the Dr. Billy Kim International Center, Room 106. Her lecture, entitled “International Service-Learning: Faculty Engagement and Transformation,” is free and open to the public. There will be a reception immediately following her lecture.
Before coming to Belhaven, White spent ten years as director of global mobilization for California Baptist University.She received her B.A. from Oklahoma Baptist University, her M.A. from Union University, her M.A. from Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary and earned her Ph.D. from Claremont Graduate University.
All award recipients will be recognized at the Mississippi Humanities Council's annual awards banquet in the spring. The Mississippi Humanities Council is a private nonprofit corporation funded by Congress through the National Endowment for the Humanities, and provides public programs in traditional liberal arts disciplines to serve nonprofit groups in Mississippi.