LBW ANNOUNCES ROSE WHITE-PARKER AS 2026 OUTSTANDING ALUMNUS

Lurleen B. Wallace (LBW) Community College has named Rose White-Parker as its 2026 Outstanding Alumnus.

Affectionately known throughout the community as “Mrs. Rose,” she is a 1982 graduate of LBW and is widely recognized for her upbeat personality, dedication to education and love for children. A former Saints women’s basketball player, she was the first of 11 siblings in her family to attend college.

She attended LBW on a basketball scholarship and played for Coach Garner before transferring to Livingston University, now known as the University of West Alabama.

“Mrs. Rose is a light for so many children in our community,” LBW President Dr. Brock Kelley said. “Her passion for education and student success is evident in everything she does. I am honored to recognize her as this year’s Outstanding Alumnus.”

A retired junior high basketball coach, Mrs. Rose currently works in Teaching Academic Behavior Success (TABS) at Andalusia Elementary School.

“I’ve been at the school for 38 years,” she said. “I love my kids.”

Mrs. Rose also serves as director of the summer program at the City of Andalusia’s Coleman-Robertson Center — the same program she once attended as a child and later worked for as a teenager.

City of Andalusia Mayor Earl Johnson praised Mrs. Rose for receiving the distinguished honor.

“Mrs. Rose does an excellent job working with children, both at Andalusia Elementary School and in our summer program. She holds those children to high standards and works extra hard to make sure they learn about potential careers,” Johnson said. “Her enthusiasm is contagious. You cannot be in a bad mood when you are around Rose. We are so proud of her and commend Dr. Kelley for recognizing her as an outstanding alumnus."

As a ninth grader at Andalusia High School in 1977, she made history as the first female to play basketball on the boys basketball team under Coach Richard Robertson.

During her time at LBW, Mrs. Rose also worked in the college library, forming lifelong connections with fellow students, athletes and faculty.

“LBW became my family,” she said. “The basketball team, the athletes and the faculty — they treated you like you were their own. Mrs. Cook taught us a lot.”

“Rose has always been one of my favorite people,” said Diaon Cook, a longtime leader at LBW. “What she has done with the city has made me so proud of her. She has impacted so many students.”

Mrs. Rose will be recognized during LBW’s academic ceremony on Friday, May 8 at 10 a.m. The career technical ceremony will follow at 2 p.m. at the Kiwanis Community Center in Andalusia.