Once a day, Pamela White slips away from her desk to go for a quick run.

For White, dean of Human Sciences, it is the perfect way to clear her mind during a busy day.

“Everyday I like to get outside and run or walk,” said White. “It’s a time where I reflect. It’s good for you physically to get outside and let yourself think about things that are going on. Sometimes it just helps you resolve issues and gives you time to think.”

White’s love of the outdoors was deeply rooted in her childhood in her hometown of Vancouver, Washington.

“Growing up we used to do a lot of camping, fishing and water skiing,” White said. “We had a boat, and we did lots of outdoor activities and hiking. That’s probably where I got my love of running and walking.”

White fondly recalled her days as a child, especially the days when her father built their childhood home. She joked about memories of pretending to build the house with her brother. 

“We got to run around and build our own things with lumber and nails,” White said. “It was a child’s paradise. We had permission to have hammers and nails and do whatever we wanted. I just think that anymore that would never pass through safety rules.”

As White grew up, she attended the University of Washington for her Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in food science. She decided to look into opportunities at Iowa State after learning of the school’s reputation. White began as an instructor, later earning her Ph.D. from Iowa State.

Moving from the coast to the Midwest was a big transition for White when she arrived.

“I really missed the mountains to begin with, but I did not miss the rain,” White said. “I remember the first fall I was here. I wasn’t used to having the pretty blue skies and red and yellow leaves falling and walking through the crackly leaves.”

White also met her husband while at ISU.

“He was a grad assistant in Recreation Services and I signed up to go on a canoe trip. He was the advisor, so that’s how we met,” White said.

White said her bucket list includes a long list of countries she plans to visit with her husband, as well as several nation parks.

“We have a lot of relatives in the United Kingdom,” White said. “We’ve been there a lot, and we’ll certainly go back to England and Scotland. We also like to go to Hawaii periodically. On our bucket list, we’d like to go to Vietnam and go back to China.” 

Other hobbies include cooking, reading, gardening and playing golf.

White and her husband recently became grandparents to a set of twins. She said she enjoys spending as much time as she can with her new grandchildren.

White said she wants to expand her vegetable garden and continue her outdoor activities. She also has plans for retirement.

“They say volunteer work comes to you when you retire, so I’m sure I’ll get into that,” she said.

Theresa Boettcher, assistant to the dean, said she greatly enjoys working closely with White.

“She’s a lot of fun,” Boettcher said. “She’s a great person to work for. She comes up with some really funny jokes sometimes when you’re not expecting it.”

Boettcher said the staff has a lot of fun together and often does fun activities for the holidays, like exchanging gifts.

“We get together once or twice a year at [White’s] house,” Boettcher said. “She has a pool table in her basement, so we love to play that. She’s just a really great person.”

White said she hopes everyone knows her office is always open for anyone who wants to talk.

“I would hope that [the faculty] thinks I’m a good listener and that I’m fair,” White said. “And that I‘m open to hear whatever they have to say.”