For more than 35 years, Dr. Nan Morelli-White educated and inspired countless students and colleagues, sharing her passion for literature and the humanities. She began her St. Petersburg College career in 1985 as a full-time instructor on the Tarpon Springs Campus, but her home base for more than 30 years was the Clearwater Campus. She served the College for more than 30 years as an FGO representative. She retired in February 2020 and lives in Safety Harbor.
Dr. Morelli-White worked tirelessly developing curriculum and teaching in the Interdisciplinary Studies Program. She often served as a mentor to new faculty, generously sharing her knowledge, training and teaching experiences.
Dr. Morelli-White is a published author. In September 2020, an article co-authored with Dawn Joyce, titled “Colleges Need a Makeover: Adapting to Change One Class at a Time,” was published in the Journal of Higher Education Theory and Practice. In addition, she has co-authored articles with St. Petersburg College instructor Greg Byrd for the Modern Language Association of America on the teaching of poetry. She has attended and presented at education conferences across the globe, including such places as Great Britain, Greece and Spain.
Dr. Morelli-White has been described by her colleagues as a kind soul whose passion and dedication have truly made a difference in the lives of many.
The following are some of those sentiments:
Dr. Susan Benson:
Dr. Nan Morelli-White took me under her wing when I began teaching full time at SPC. She was always happy to share her time, her experience, her course materials, and her friendship – and she is indeed a dear friend. Dr. Morelli-White is a brilliant scholar, and her passion for literature and the humanities has engaged and inspired countless students.
Dr. Maria Escott:
Nan is a dedicated, conscientious person. I love the way she buys repurposed clothing to help the world, while still being a shoe diva.
Dawn Joyce:
When I was hired as a full-time faculty member in 2011, Nan took me under her wing and supported me until she retired in Feb. 2020. I had the honor of co-teaching an Interdisciplinary Studies Class with Nan for several years. The students were drawn to her knowledge and command of the English language, her vast knowledge of the arts, and her spunky personality. Among her many talents in higher education, she has published several scholarly papers on varying subject matter. I’m so honored I had the opportunity to teach and work alongside such an amazing faculty member.
Professor Emerita Maggie Knoop:
Nan’s kind nature endears her to students and colleagues alike. When she is in her office, she props her door open so that everyone, especially students, feels welcome to stop in.
Professor Emerita Linda Yakle:
I had the incredibly good fortune to team teach with Nan is the IDS program. It was a magical time for me, made so entirely by Nan’s generosity, academic brilliance, and show-stopping classroom charisma. I am proud and grateful to have been a witness to all that makes Nan so deserving of the emerita honor.
Dr. Beth Carlson:
Nan has been such a caring soul to all people. She rarely gets upset, but she is always the first person to help others. We love you.
Former student Erin Carlson:
Nan has always been one of my favorite professors and mentors. She has the most caring, unique and beautiful soul, and I’m so proud to watch as she continues to grow.
Dr. Bonnie Jefferis:
Nan spent hours designing her classroom presentations to excite the eager students and intrigue even the most resistant students. She taught courses that students did not want to take, and she taught them in ways that made students want to learn more and take another class with her. She loved team teaching in the IDS program, where two classes were taught together with two professors on the belief that students would learn and remember more if they studied how things were connected.
Dean and Professor Emerita Martha Campbell:
When I first arrived on the Tarpon Spring Campus in 1987, I met Dr. Nan Morelli-White, my office mate. Her sense of humor and willingness to mentor me and so many of her colleagues and students are her gifts. She values the academic community and has spent her career paying close attention to what students say– and what they write! Her Interdisciplinary Studies and literature students are testimony to her lifelong love of learning. As a professor emerita, I am proud to welcome her to our community.
Well deserved Nan! You rock and Erin agrees!
When I attempted to go to college in the early 90’s, I had you for Comp I. I enjoyed your class (but then again English and Comp were my better classes) Remedial Algebra was my Achilles heel.
I am glad that you received this honor.
Kudos to you Nan! Enjoy your well-deserved award.
Thank you, ma’am and master teacher for your example and encouragement of both peers and decades of students.
< RGW
Although we did not always teach on the same campus, I always admired Nan’s expertise in the field as well as her teaching skills. She does indeed deserve this honor. Congratulations!
Nan will always be one of SPC’s best instructors. Students have benefited greatly over the years if they were fortunate enough to have her as their instructor. SPC has employed some gems over the years and Nan is one of the brightest gems I’ve ever met. Congratulations!
Congratulations Dr. Morelli-White,
Well deserved!!