Spotlight On: Brent Arnold

Brent Arnold, dean of the School of Health Sciences at Stockton, accepts the W. W. Patty Distinguished Alumni Award at Indiana University.
Galloway, N.J. 鈥 Brent Arnold began his career at Stockton in the summer of 2021, taking on the role of dean of the School of Health Sciences. He previously was chair of the Department of Health Sciences at the Indiana University (IU) School of Health and Human Sciences. He led several successful curriculum changes and managed Indiana University and Virginia Commonwealth University academic programs.
He recently was awarded the W. W. Patty Distinguished Alumni Award from IU, the oldest of the school鈥檚 distinguished alumni awards. It is presented annually to graduates of the School of Public Health-Bloomington and its prior incarnation as Health, Physical Education and Recreation who have demonstrated outstanding personal and professional achievement in fostering the wide-ranging missions of public health.
Arnold, who graduated from IU in 1996, majored in Athletic Training but was also working on a minor in biology so he could eventually teach high school biology.
鈥淯ltimately, I dropped the minor when I decided to focus on full-time Athletic Training as a career,鈥 Arnold said.
I have had the good fortune to win other awards across my career. However, this one is probably the most meaningful to me. This award is from my original institution. It represents where my career really started. So, this is coming full circle. I believe it emphasizes that the efforts I started at Indiana University truly have been impactful.
When Arnold learned about being selected, he felt humbled.
鈥淚n my view, this really is the ultimate in career recognition. To be an Indiana native that graduated from Indiana University, the state鈥檚 flagship institution, and then be selected for this recognition is an experience to be genuinely appreciated.鈥
Arnold, a first-generation college graduate, believes this award recognition reflects the years of support by others.
鈥淢y wife has always given full support of my career, without which much of this would not be possible. My parents supported me by sending me to college and helping me become the first family member to have a college education,鈥 he reflected. 鈥淢y mentors across my entire career were essential in helping me move my career forward and achieve many accomplishments. My friends have helped me maintain balance and remind me I can鈥檛 think about work all the time. Also, this represents the efforts of my students. Many of the things I have accomplished result from collaborations with students.鈥
And it鈥檚 no surprise Arnold has fully embraced being an Osprey. 鈥淚 believe this award directly ties back to Stockton. Being given the opportunity to be Dean of the School of Health Sciences is truly an honor, and I believe without the opportunity afforded me by Stockton, this award would not have been possible.鈥
Reported by Mandee McCullough
Photo provided by Indiana University