Barbara Arnold left the classroom after more than two decades of working with high school students in physics and chemistry, but she never left teaching.
Across the years the volunteer tutor has continued to teach, helping many high school and college students gain a better grasp of physics and chemistry.
Admiration for his wife’s dedication to students inspired David Arnold to contribute $100,000 to create the Barbara Arnold Ole Miss Women’s Council Scholarship.
“Barbara really loves teaching and working with young people,” says David of Yazoo City, Miss. “Her personal interest in students and her love for Ole Miss made this scholarship seem like a natural fit.”
Women’s Council scholarships enhance the traditional financial support of a scholarship with leadership training and mentorship. The Barbara Arnold Women’s Council Scholarship is designed for students pursuing degrees in history, English and chemistry.
“I’m very grateful to my husband for establishing this scholarship in my honor,” says Barbara Arnold. “We both feel that the Women’s Council is making a significant difference in the lives of students with the added leadership and mentorship aspects. I hope recipients use their scholarships wisely to accomplish their goals.”
She adds, “I am so proud of the students I’ve taught. I continue to see so many of them, and I always am interested in their careers and families.” Barbara Arnold has received six teaching awards during her career: five STAR Teacher awards and the
Mississippi Association of Physicists’ 1984-85 Mississippi
Physics Teacher of the Year.
The Arnolds met in a chemistry laboratory at Ole Miss and married the year they graduated. David Arnold became one of Mississippi Chemical Corp.’s senior vice presidents, and Barbara served on the Manchester Academy and Yazoo City High School faculties.
Barbara Arnold, a native of Greenwood, Miss., has served as president and member of the board for the UM School of Education’s Alumni Chapter, as well as on the board of directors of the University Foundation and the Ole Miss Alumni Association. She
served on the advisory board of the School of Engineering and is a charter member of the Ventress Order, an organization whose members make a financial commitment
to the College of Liberal Arts.
Through membership in the 1848 Society, the Arnolds have made provisions in their estate plan for support of both the Department of Chemical Engineering and the College of Liberal Arts. Additionally, they created the Charles Noyes Library Endowment and supported the John Pilkington Library Endowment, both of which honor beloved professors. The Arnolds’ daughter, Janet, lives in Madison County, Miss.
Barbara and David Arnold