Dr. R. Wayne White '63 handed the chair’s gavel to Richard James '97 during the October 2025 meeting of York University’s board of trustees.
James has served in various board leadership roles since he was elected to serve in 2013. He is a trial lawyer and managing partner with DeVaughn James in Wichita, Kan. James was recently chosen president of the Kansas Trial Lawyers Association. Richard and his wife Rachel have two children, Abbey and Jackson, and are active in their church and community.
Richard James
White served York as a trustee for two separate terms, the first lasting from 1999 until 2005, and the second beginning in 2008. He was elected chair in late 2019 and oversaw the selection of two presidents (Smith in 2020 and Westbrook in 2025). His time as chair also saw the board approve the transition from York College to York University.
As he concludes his time on the board, White shared, “It has been a great privilege to serve on York's board of trustees for 23 years, especially the last 6 years as board chair. Recent accomplishments of the board are due, in great part, to the gift of standing on the shoulders of past boards and their commitment to the school.”
White’s connection to York dates back to 1961, when his father, Edward White, joined the school’s faculty and Wayne enrolled as a freshman. Reflecting on his connections to the school, White said, “While it has been a long time since I graduated from York College, it is still a very special place for me. Both of my parents worked here, I and one of my brothers graduated from here, another brother taught adjunct classes here, and a final brother once served as vice president for YC. So, for me, it is home! But it is time for younger minds to take the lead as York University charges into the future, and I am excited to see what that looks like. I may be stepping down, but I am not stepping away.”
During Homecoming 2025, White received the Dale McNeill Bloom Award, a special recognition given to members of the YU community who have demonstrated remarkable acts of service that have a significant impact on the mission of the university. While announcing White as the recipient of this award, President Westbrook said, “In the last year, I personally have witnessed his disarming and sagacious disposition that instills confidence, peace and trust as he works with others. He treats all people with dignity and respect. As his second term as chairman comes to an end, I cannot think of a better person to honor with the Bloom Award at this moment than Dr. Wayne White.”
A majority of the current board were added during White’s six years as chair. Trustees added since 2019, include: Scott Abraham '99 of Bucyrus, Kan., John Edmerson of Los Angeles, Calif., Christine Eggar of Livingston, Mont., Aaron Fletcher '02 of Woodland Park, Colo., Karen Garner '93 of Searcy, Ark., Justin Harrold '99 of Wichita, Kan., Kimberly Hoyt '02 of Grand Junction, Colo., Conay Huizar of Scottsdale, Ariz., Marilyn Locus of Laguna Niguel, Calif., Bryan Phillips '98 of Topeka, Kan., Amanda Rathe '02 of Murfreesboro, Tenn., Benjamin Smail '12 of Omaha, Neb. and Kimberly Williams '02 of Salina, Kan. During this time, the number of women serving as trustees increased from 10% of the board in 2019 to 40% today. York University alumni comprise a little more than half of the board.