MLK Commission to Honor Alvin White
Alvin White's spirit of service and advocacy in the community he loves are sometimes taken for granted, but cannot be overlooked. One of the most familiar figures in town, his counsel is often sought after by many, from government leaders to the common man.
The Suffolk County Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission will honor Mr. White by presenting him with the organization's 2013 Public Service Award at a luncheon on Friday, January 18 at the Hyatt Regency Wind Watch in Hauppauge.
"Dr. King was a great American and to receive an award presented in his name is an incredible honor," Mr. White said. "The work that I have done in the community obviously pales in comparison to the national civil rights movement that Dr. King led, but I am nevertheless proud to have contributed in some small way to my hometown."
"Mr. White is genuinely deserving of this honor, as his efforts toward the betterment of our community are ongoing and continuous," Huntington Superintendent James W. Polansky said. "His mind and his heart are routinely in the right place."
Mr. White has been the Huntington School District's director of facilities since August 1, 2011. He previously served as the district's operations supervisor for 12 years.
Prior to coming to the district, Mr. White worked for the Internal Revenue Service at its Holtsville complex. He began his career in the Huntington School District on a part-time basis at Robert L. Simpson Junior High School in 1974. He moved into a full-time position in 1979.
A longtime resident of the district, Mr. White is the father of seven Huntington High School graduates. He has also been deeply involved in community and civic organizations, including the Porter-Trejo Action Network, Take Back the Block Advisory Board, Huntington Enrichment Center/Kids Café Board of Directors, NAACP-Huntington chapter, Loyal Order of Moose Lodge No. 318 in Greenlawn, as well as numerous other local groups. He has served on the Huntington Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee and Lowndes Avenue Task Force.
Known as a perfectionist with exacting standards, Mr. White strives to surpass the community's expectations. He frequently interacts with principals and faculty members to insure their facilities needs are met.
A familiar figure around the Huntington School District, Mr. White is often the first person on the scene during emergency situations, regardless of the day or hour. He is also an active fan of the Blue Devil athletic program and has mentored and encouraged many community members through the years.
Mr. White has always taken to heart one of Dr. King's most memorable utterances: "Yes, if you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice; say that I was a drum major for peace; I was a drum major for righteousness. And all of the other shallow things will not matter. I won't have any money to leave behind. I won't have the fine and luxurious things of life to leave behind. But, I just want to leave a committed life behind. And that's all I want to say."