MARI WHITE: 2025 DAVID LIVINGSTON WHITE AWARD WINNER

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ISAAC FLATER

Marketing Specialist

RICHARD ST. CLAIR

Student Support Specialist

Mari White has demonstrated her perseverance since the earliest days of her education. She started elementary school with undiagnosed learning differences which caused her to fall behind her classmates. Even though she struggled with bullying and her own self-confidence, by the time she was finally diagnosed with dyslexia in the 6th grade, Mari had already started to advocate for herself and her needs as a learner. In fact, she was the one who first recognized the signs of dyslexia in herself and pushed her parents to get her tested.

From there, Mari continued to blossom, both in the classroom and her community. In high school, she was the founder of the Hiking Club, a member of the Key Club, and National Honors Society. After school, Mari could always be found at the local ballet studio doing intensive training for several hours, nearly every single day. When she turned 14, Mari was invited to dance for the prestigious Pacific Northwest Ballet School, where she continued to train at the highest level until her graduation at the age of 18.

When Mari came to Arizona, she brought her work ethic and passion with her. Throughout her 4 years, she was highly active in the SALT Center, the U of A, and in the local community working and volunteering with numerous departments, clubs, and community organizations. On top of all that, she even made some time to drop in on the occasional open dance class once or twice a week.

Despite temptations to take the easier route, Mari always pushed through, relying instead on her hard-earned skills and values such as time management, motivation, attention to detail, and a willingness to make personal sacrifices. She always set her goals high and held herself to her own standards, never accepting anything less than her all.

Richard St. Clair, her Student Support Specialist at the SALT Center, said of her, “Mari is extremely resourceful; she makes use of every opportunity to challenge herself and to be more than she was yesterday. Her use of the SALT Center has been relentless, leading her to academic distinction and feeding her desire to learn and grow as a person. She puts herself out there and exposes herself to so many different activities and struggles, that her tools for success are formidable.”

Mari also credits Richard’s support with helping her go the distance. She says, “Richard gave me so much confidence and helped me learn to trust and believe in myself.” She continues, “I tried to write him a thank-you card, but I actually had to end up writing a three-page thank you, and I just kept going, and going, and going, because, really, I don’t think my college career would have been the same without him. He kept me on track and helped me keep a positive mindset which was so important.”

Mari recently graduated in May of 2025 with an impressive 3.9 GPA and was honored at the SALT Center’s spring graduation reception with the David Livingston White Award in recognition of her formidable spirit of determination. Since then, Mari has remained in Tucson as an AmeriCorps volunteer and is preparing to take the LSAT next year with hopes of advancing into law school.

Richard recalls, “From the moment I met her, Mari's mantra has been: ‘I can do that.’ She can, and she does.” We know Mari will continue to do whatever she puts her mind to, and we wish her best of luck in her future endeavors.

David Livingston White Award:

Each year, the SALT Center selects a student to receive the David Livingston White Award. Recipients demonstrate exceptional perseverance and determination while pursuing their academic goals. This prestigious award honors the man for whom it is named.

David Livingston White graduated from the University of Arizona at the age of 73. He obtained his degree in 2011, and never lost sight of this goal even though he battled cancer for many years. Upon graduation, David’s siblings purchased a class ring for him. The ring was the perfect way to commemorate David’s accomplishment. When David passed away, his family generously established an endowment in David’s name to support SALT Center programming. Each year, a portion of the funds are also used to purchase a class ring for one graduating student who has demonstrated extraordinary perseverance. The SALT Center is grateful to David’s family, and we are honored to recognize Mari White as recipient of this award for 2025. 

Visit salt.arizona.edu/DLW to learn more about David Livingston White and past award recipients.

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