HU DATA CONVERSION LAB DIRECTOR NAMED INTERIM PRESIDENT OF CHEYNEY UNIVERSITY

Hampton, VA - Wallace C. Arnold, director of the Hampton University Data Conversion and Management Laboratory, has been selected to serve as interim president of Cheyney University of Pennsylvania effective Jan 1. Cheyney University of Pennsylvania is one of 14 state-owned universities that make up the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.

Arnold is a retired major general in the United States Army and former commander of the national Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC). He retired from the Army in 1995 after a career that spanned more than 30 years.

Arnold will succeed, on an interim basis, retiring Cheyney University President Dr. W. Clinton Pettus. Pettus, who has led the institution since 1996, plans to retire Dec. 31. Arnold will serve as the university’s chief executive officer until a search for a permanent president is completed.

“The opportunity to go to Cheyney is an excellent opportunity that I am prepared for with all my leadership positions in the military and in the private industry,” said Arnold. “Also my 2 1/2 years as the director of the Hampton University Data Conversion Lab and observing Dr. Harvey’s leadership has given me exceptional insight into higher education administration.”

Within the last 10 years, Harvey has used Hampton University as a training ground for college presidents. Using the "Harvey Model of Administrative Success," nine of Harvey's top administrators and vice presidents have taken over roles as president of colleges around the country. Dr. Oscar Prater was named president of Fort Valley State University in 1990; Dr. Harold Wade of Atlanta Metropolitan College in 1994; Dr. Carlton Brown of Savannah State University in 1997; Dr. Elnora Daniel of Chicago State University in 1998; Dr. Warren Buck of the University of Washington-Bothell in 1999; Dr. Dianne Boardley Suber of St. Augustine's College in January 2000; Dr. Calvin Lowe was named the president of Bowie State University in May 2000 and Dr. Rodney D. Smith was named president of Ramapo College in July 2001.

“Gen. Arnold is another in a long line of Hampton University administrators who have been given leadership responsibility at the nation’s colleges and universities,” said HU President William R. Harvey, who is on sabbatical. “I feel that he will do an extraordinarily good job because of his integrity, discipline, hard work, experience and sense of accountability.”

Arnold received a bachelor’s degree in industrial education from Hampton Institute and a master’s degree in personnel management and administration from George Washington University. He also is a graduate of the Naval War College and has studied at both the University of Michigan and Harvard University.

When he retired from the Army, Arnold was assistant director of personnel at Department of Army headquarters in Washington, D.C. Arnold was commander of the Army’s ROTC program from 1990 to 1993, serving as the chief executive officer of the national organization, which included 6,400 staff and 45,000 college and 125,000 high school cadets, with an annual budget of $200 million.             Immediately after retiring from the Army, Arnold was hired as executive vice president and chief administrative officer for Information Technology Solutions in Hampton. He later was named regional director of business development for Computer Sciences Corporation.  He assumed his current position in 2001, in which he serves as administrator for all data conversion and technical services contracts awarded to Hampton University.

Arnold earned numerous honors during his military service, including a Distinguished Service Medal and the Bronze Star Medal. He also has been recognized for his civic and community service, receiving such honors as the Roy Wilkins Meritorious Service Award from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the Douglas MacArthur Distinguished Service Award from the Army and the Hampton University Distinguished Alumni Award.

He is married to Earlene Costner Arnold. The couple has two daughters, Sheila and Stephanie, and a grandson, Krisstopher.