Marvin White, BSCE ’47

Marvin E. White, BSCE '47, has enjoyed a remarkable career in the industrial gas industry. Prior to graduating from Ohio University in 1947 with a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering, he served in the Navy during WWII as a radar technician. After graduation, Marv joined Columbia Gas as an industrial engineer in Mansfield, Ohio. He had attended high school in Athens, Ohio and returned to his hometown in 1953 as District Sales Manager for Columbia Gas where he stayed until 1960. He was transferred to Columbus as Vice President for retail sales and continued to move up within the company. In 1976, White was named Chairman and CEO of Columbia Distribution Companies.

After retiring from Columbia in 1987, Marv co-founded Interstate Gas Supply with his son. IGS is now the largest privately owned gas marketing company in the midwest. Marv was the youngest person to ever be inducted in the American Gas Association’s Hall of Flame. He also received the industry’s most prestigious recognition, the Industrial-Commercial Achievement Award and the Governor’s Award. Marv has also served on boards of numerous community organizations including the United Way, Ohio Chamber of Commerce, Columbus Symphony and the Huntington Bank Board. In 1976 he received the Ohio University Alumni Medal of Merit. He has served as a member of the College’s Board of Visitors and Major Gifts Committee. With an impressive legacy of Ohio University graduates, the White family has supported the expansion efforts of the College.