Retired Lt. Col. Stephen W. White was inducted into the Arkansas Tech University U.S. Army ROTC Hall of Honor during an ATU Homecoming weekend ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 25, at Doc Bryan Student Services Center Rotunda.
A two-time graduate of Arkansas Tech, White earned his commission through the ATU U.S. Army ROTC program in 1985 and went on to a 27-year active duty career in the U.S. Army as an armor officer. He served in Operation Iraqi Freedom (2009-10) as well as Operation Enduring Freedom (2011).
Over the span of his U.S. Army career, White earned the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal (with four Oak Leaf clusters), Army Commendation Medal (with five Oak Leaf clusters), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal (with two Oak Leaf clusters), NATO Medal, National Defense Service Medal (two awards), Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (fifth award), Parachutist Badge and Air Assault Badge.
White was nominated for the ATU U.S. Army ROTC Hall of Honor by retired Major Gen. William E. Harmon, a fellow Arkansas Tech alumnus and a 2017 inductee into the ATU U.S. Army ROTC Hall of Honor.
“Initially, I was reluctant to accept this honor when General Harmon first cornered me in the Kroger’s parking lot and requested my personal information,” said White. “However, I realized that the Arkansas Tech ROTC program has played a key role, not only in my development as an officer, but it had a huge impact on my family. I come from a military family. I’m an Air Force brat. My parents met when they both served in the Air Force, and they raised their children to respect the military.
“My 91-year old mother, Mildred, is here today,” continued White. “My two brothers and I retired from the military, and if not for a medical issue, my sister probably would have also. My older brother, Mike, and my sister, Donna, both served as cadets in Arkansas Tech’s ROTC program in the 1970s. My other brother, Earl, retired from the Air Force after a distinguished career.”
White went on to express appreciation to his wife, Tracie, who was there to pin his second lieutenant bars on him when he became an officer during a ceremony at Williamson Hall four decades ago.
“She put up with long hours, multiple deployments, 13-plus PCS (permanent change of station) moves and that one time I invited all the cadets over to my house without asking first,” said White. “You are an amazing Army wife.”
White rendered 10 years of service to the ATU U.S. Army ROTC program, concluding with a stint as senior military science instructor from 2018-23. His final official duty before retirement was to serve as the speaker at the ATU U.S. Army ROTC commissioning ceremony at the close of the fall 2022 semester.
“I received exceptional support from the Arkansas Tech administration,” said White. “Through multiple administrations, Arkansas Tech has always supported the ROTC program, and it always will. This program has nurtured seven General officers, one U.S. congressman, several General-officer equivalent government civilians and countless local business and political leaders. I am confident that several of the cadets I helped train will continue this tradition of excellence.”
The ATU U.S. Army ROTC program has commissioned more than 800 officers since it was founded in 1952.
Learn more about the ATU U.S. Army ROTC program at www.atu.edu/rotc.
