Emma White serves as a Philanthropy Officer at Berea College. She joined Berea’s Alumni, Communications and Philanthropy team in 2026.

A Berea native, Emma has deep roots in the College’s community and mission. Both of her parents, Al White ’81 and Alice White ’80, are alumni, and her upbringing was closely tied to the College. Around the time Emma was born, her parents, after careers as full-time musicians with the McLain Family Band, returned to Berea in the mid-nineties. In 1999, Al became the College’s first instructor of Appalachian instruments, and he would also go on to found the Berea College Bluegrass and Mariachi Ensembles.

Growing up on campus during his tenure, Emma attended the Child Development Lab, rode her bike through campus, and participated in Convocations and traditions like Homecoming and Mountain Day. These early experiences, along with her family’s deep connection to Berea, instilled in her a lasting belief in the College’s mission of providing a liberal arts educational opportunity and serving Appalachia and beyond.

Emma earned her bachelor’s degree in business management and theatre & film studies from Georgetown College in 2020. She now lives within walking distance of Berea College with her fiancé, Josh Louis, who works with the College’s Emerging Scholars Program supporting first-generation students. Emma is proud to continue the legacy of opportunity she experienced growing up by helping ensure future students have access to a Berea education.

The Regions She Serves: Emma is proud to serve alumni and friends across a wide and diverse region, including:

– The Southwest & Mountain West (Texas, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona)

– The Midwest (Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa)

– The Pacific & West Coast (California, Alaska, and Hawaii)