The coolest thing, he said, was finding out he had won the Trustees Award for outstanding contributions to the student experience.
The trustees announced his selection and recognized Arnold at the meeting. Trustees Award winners receive $5,000 and a plaque. In addition, the winner is asked to speak at the spring Commencement ceremony in May.
Trustee Bruce Henderson said the board recognized Arnold, the Boehl chair in property and land use at the Brandeis School of Law, for his “unparalleled” devotion to his students.
“His approach to scholarship, teaching and practice is cutting-edge, dynamic, multi-dimensional and practical,” Henderson said. “His dedication to his students and to his profession produces a positive learning environment for all.”
Arnold’s students “are people of great character…they have enormous potential,” he said. “It’s a great privilege to be a teacher and a mentor here.”
Also at the meeting, the board:
- Approved creation of a Center for Predictive Medicine for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases. Colleen Jonsson will head the center.
- Recognized the men’s and women’s basketball teams and Athletic Director Tom Jurich for outstanding seasons this year. Coach Jeff Walz and two of his players, Shelby Harper and Antonita Slaughter, represented the women. Players Russ Smith, Gorgui Dieng and Peyton Siva and Andre McGee, director of operations, represented the men.
- Applauded the announcement that student Evan Shepherd has been named a 2013 Truman Scholar. A Madisonville, Ky., native Shepherd is one of only 62 Truman Scholars nationwide and the only student from Kentucky selected.
- Praised outgoing SGA President Justin Brandt for his service and accepted a report on 2013 SGA activities. Brandt said his administration’s accomplishments included securing more money for SGA events and activities; lobbying for and working with administration to land more student parking, including the 500-space Chevron Property lot near Fourth Street; improving parts of Ekstrom Library, including this summer’s renovation of the fourth floor and adding more than 500 electrical outlets to make the library more user-friendly; and making “realistic, small changes,” such as offering a free tax-filing service that more than 2,000 students used.