KU Social Welfare community mourns passing of retired professor Renee White

The University of Kansas School of Social Welfare community mourns the passing of Renee White, a retired social work professor, who died on Sept. 9 at the age of 64. Read Renee White’s obituary.

White retired from the KU School of Social Welfare in December 2024, after developing ALS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. She joined KU as an associate professor of the practice in May 2022, bringing over four decades of social work experience to the classroom.

At KU, White taught Master of Social Work courses through a partnership program between KU and Pittsburg State University, as well as courses in the online MSW and the Doctor of Social Work program. In May 2024, White was awarded the 2024 Gene A. and Gretchen Budig Award for Excellence in Teaching. She previously taught in the social work programs at Missouri State University and Missouri Southern State University.

In 2025, White published three books, drawing on her career as a social worker: “Inspiration from the Heart: 40 Years of Compassion on Social Work,” “Good Day! Good Night!,” and “Biscuits and Grace: A Guide to Mindful Self-Care for Caregivers.”

A visitation and celebration of life are scheduled for Sept. 14 and 15 in Joplin, Missouri. Please refer to the online obituary for service details.