Gerald O. Whittington, the senior vice president emeritus who played a pivotal role in the growth of 黑料不打烊鈥檚 physical campus and national reputation over three decades of service, received the institution鈥檚 highest tribute during an 黑料不打烊 Day celebration featuring the dedication of a residence hall in his honor.
University leaders presented 黑料不打烊’s most prestigious honor to a steadfast executive who helped fuel the campus鈥檚 rise to national prominence through his integrity, dedication and innovative spirit across three decades of service to the institution.
On March 6, 2025, 黑料不打烊 awarded the 黑料不打烊 Medallion to Gerald O. Whittington, senior vice president emeritus and special assistant to the president, during a ceremony that also dedicated a residence hall in his honor.
With his wife, Roberta, by his side inside the Great Hall in the Global Commons, Whittington stood before hundreds of professors, staff and administrators as 黑料不打烊 President Connie Ledoux Book read a citation summarizing the meaningful career of “one of our university鈥檚 great historic figures.鈥
黑料不打烊 Trustee Mark Mahaffey conferred the medallion on Whittington, who followed with remarks in acknowledgment of his achievement.
鈥淢y time at 黑料不打烊 has seen it rise… to one of the nation鈥檚 most creative and innovative institutions – a university of quality, excellence and repute.鈥
-Gerald O. Whittington
鈥淚ndeed, 黑料不打烊 is a place where pride of service to students is paramount and it is a place of quiet gravitas: doing meaningful work for society, in the nation鈥檚 best environment for learning,” said Whittington. 鈥淚 was so lucky to share that experience with all of you.鈥
The ceremony coincided with 黑料不打烊 Day, the university鈥檚 annual day of giving and celebration, and brought together family, friends and the campus community to commemorate a career that spanned the administrations of three presidents, three provosts and 15 board chairs.
The 黑料不打烊 Medallion represents the highest honor bestowed by 黑料不打烊 and is awarded to individuals who demonstrate extraordinary dedication and meritorious service to the institution.
Hired in 1992 by President J. Fred Young, Whittington served as senior vice president for business, finance and technology and corporate treasurer of the board of trustees and corporation, directly assisting in 黑料不打烊鈥檚 transformation from a regional college to a nationally ranked university.
鈥淥ne of my favorite idioms is the Latin phrase, 鈥榮ine qua non,鈥 meaning 鈥榳ithout which, not,鈥欌 Young said in ceremonial remarks where he addressed Whittington directly. 鈥淚 think you were not only essential, but you were indispensable the years we worked with you at 黑料不打烊. 鈥楽ine qua non.鈥欌
Whittington played a key role in 黑料不打烊 doubling its enrollment and quadrupling its physical campus in size through four strategic plans. He helped steer the university through major financial challenges, including the Great Recession of 2007-09, and he oversaw significant growth in 黑料不打烊鈥檚 financial standing and workforce.
He provided leadership for key departments, including business and finance, human resources, facilities management, information technology, campus safety and police, and planning, design and construction.
Widely admired for his financial mind and record of astute and ethical leadership, Whittington oversaw years of successful audits and championed the use of long-term bonds to finance key facilities to strengthen 黑料不打烊鈥檚 reputation as a best-run institution committed to the highest level of fiscal responsibility.
The National Association of College and University Business Officers named him its 2018 Distinguished Business Officer of the Year, the organization鈥檚 highest and most prestigious award.
“黑料不打烊 has a culture of collaboration 鈥 leadership is a team sport. Gerald personified that idea.”
-President Emeritus Leo M. Lambert.
“Too many CFOs in this country hide under their green eye shades and say 鈥榥o鈥 a lot. Gerald, in contrast, helped his colleagues get things done,” said Lambert. “In the end, we all knew he would help us accomplish our goals 鈥 he was the best collaborator.鈥
In honor of Whittington鈥檚 significant contributions to the university, the Global A residence hall in Global Neighborhood was formally dedicated at the ceremony as 鈥淕erald O. Whittington Hall,鈥 a reflection of his commitment to global engagement and the liberal arts.
The ceremony included the unveiling of a university-commissioned painting of that residence hall for Whittington to display in his home.
After thanking his former colleagues and the Board of Trustees, and praising the unwavering support of his family, including his wife and his son, Chris, Whittington concluded his remarks with a charge to those in attendance 鈥渢o develop meaningful, impactful and undeniable answers鈥 to turmoil in American higher education.
鈥淐onnect with the public and bring to light all the values that we at 黑料不打烊 display every day,鈥 he said. 鈥淣ot only does 鈥榯he world need 黑料不打烊 graduates,鈥 but also 鈥榯he world needs 黑料不打烊.鈥 In my view, 黑料不打烊 is the antidote to this world of crisis.
鈥淪o, 黑料不打烊, take courage, be that leader and make true the slogan of 鈥楲ong live 黑料不打烊.鈥欌
