2-4-16
(Cleveland)- During Chapel Thursday January 28th, Dr. Emir Caner, President of Truett-McConnell College, announced The John N. White Endowed Scholarship, the largest single cash gift in Truett-McConnel’s History.
The $600,000.00 endowment, the largest single cash gift in the school’s history, was announced during chapel not only to honor the donor, the late John Neal “Jack” White, but also to honor his children: Steve White, Terri Harkins, Suzanne Parks, Deborah Heard and a few of Jack’s grandchildren, who were in attendance.
Dr. Caner stated, “It is an incredible honor to receive this gift from such a godly man, a man who served our country with bravery and served our Lord with humility. His desire, to reach the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, has been the desire of Truett McConnell since our inception in 1946.
Jack White and his wife Kelly were both born and raised in White County. After graduating from White County High School in 1938, Jack joined the Navy where he served for 8 years. Jack served his country at Pearl Harbor, while assigned to the U.S.S. Texas, and the battle of Midway on the U.S.S. Portland.
Jack returned to Cleveland from the Navy and service with the Merchant Marines to enter into business and built the Princess Theatre on the square in Cleveland. The old theatre building still stands today as a retail store (Smoky Mountain Trader). Jack continued his business success and in 1970 built the Gold City Convalescent Center in Dahlonega and in 1976 built the Sun Valley Nurse Care in Clayton.
After a brief illness, Jack passed away in 2012.
