News

John White

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MIDDLEBURY, VT. – John White, a Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer whose career spans more than four decades, will give a talk and presentation of his work at Middlebury College on Tuesday, April 12, at 4:30 p.m. in Wilson Hall. At the event, titled “In Flight: The life and work of Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer John White,” he will share some of his images, and discuss the people and the stories behind them. A reception will follow.

A resident of Chicago, White spent the majority of his career at the Chicago Sun-Times, where he worked from 1978 to 2013. As a photojournalist, he distinguished himself with his ability to capture the human spirit on film whether he was taking photos of children playing in the streets of Chicago or young ballet students in mid air. At the same time, he developed a reputation for photographing an event at just the right moment and following the action no matter how dangerous.

White is also known for his numerous iconic shots of famous individuals, including Muhammad Ali, Jesse Jackson, Pope John Paul II, Chicago Cardinal Joseph Bernardin, President Barack Obama, and First Lady Michelle Obama. His images are powerful in part because of the strong spiritual and emotional connection he makes with his subjects.

Before joining the Chicago Sun-Times, White, a North Carolina native, began as a photographer for the Marines and then got a job in 1969 with the now-defunct Chicago Daily News. When the Daily News went under in 1978, White moved on to the Chicago Sun-Times.

In 1978, White also began a part-time teaching career in photojournalism at Columbia College Chicago, where he continues to teach. He has served as an adjunct lecturer in photojournalism at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism as well. A mentor to students and interns, White has encouraged numerous young photographers and continued to offer them advice even after the start of their careers.

White has received more than 300 international awards for his work as a photojournalist, including the National Press Photographers Association’s highest honor, the Joseph A. Sprague Memorial Award.

For more information about White’s talk and presentation, contact Sarah Ray at ray@middlebury.edu or 802-443-5794.