Assistant Vice President for Engagement at IU named to new position

Indiana Chief Justice Brent Dickson recently appointed Kirk White, IU assistant vice president for engagement, to a five-year term on the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission, according to a press release.

White served as a member of the Bloomington City Council from 1988 to 1995 and one term as Monroe County commissioner from 1997 to 2000.

During his service as Monroe County commissioner, White directed an emergency communications system project, which resulted in Monroe County being awarded the 2001 Local Government Cooperation Award by the Association of Indiana Counties, according to the release.

“The commission has an important role in ensuring accountability for attorneys and clients in Indiana, and I look forward to serving the state in executing this mission,” White said in the release.

The commission includes seven lawyers and two non-lawyers, including White. The commission is responsible for both investigating and prosecuting claims of misconduct against lawyers licensed to practice in Indiana, according to the release. It also protects lawyers against unwarranted claims of misconduct.

The power to take action against a lawyer’s license to practice law remains exclusively with the Indiana Supreme Court, according to the release.

White joined the professional staff of IU in 1984, according to the release. He completed his B.S. degree from the IU School of Public and Environmental Affairs and served as IU student body president.

Currently, White serves as the primary contact to all state and federal national-security organizations involved with IU, according to the release. Some of these organizations include Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center, the Indiana National Guard and the U.S.
Departments of Defense and Homeland Security. He also serves as military liaison for the Office of the President of IU.

White represents IU in dealings with local business and economic development organizations as well, according to the release.

He works with leaders of the IU Research and Technology Corp. to help develop southwest Indiana-based opportunities for economic expansion.

White is a lieutenant colonel and field artillery officer in the Indiana Army National Guard, according to the release.

He has been deployed twice to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

– Makenzie Holland