Danny Arnold’s legacy lives on at UD
By: Grace McCormick – Staff Writer
Every fall, the Honors Program holds a Daniel P. Arnold Memorial Scholarship 5K to honor the life of Daniel Arnold, who passed away in a canoeing accident in June 2012, the summer after his junior year at UD.
“Danny was the hardest working, most dedicated person I have ever known,” said his sister Alison Arnold, a junior middle childhood education major. “He was caring, compassionate, driven, intelligent and witty. When he wanted to learn about something, he dove in and learned every aspect of the subject he could find.”
Daniel was an honors pre-med major at the University of Dayton, who excelled at anything that had to do with the sciences. Organic chemistry and physiology were courses that came naturally to him, according to his sister.
Arnold mentioned that her brother was very involved with activities in the UD Honors Program, tutoring students in subjects such as organic chemistry, physics and biology.
The 5K held each year is geared toward raising funds for the Daniel P. Arnold Memorial Scholarship.
“The application process takes place within the context of our review of honors thesis proposals,” said David Darrow, Ph.D., Director of the Honors Program. “Students write an essay in which they explain how they have tried to carry on Danny’s scholarship and leadership legacy within the Honors Program.”
The 2015 scholarship recipients were Claire Konys and Maxwell Roeske.
“Winning this scholarship was extremely humbling,” said Roeske, senior biology and psychology double major. “After learning about Danny’s story, it truly felt like an honor being chosen by both the administration of the Honors Program and the Arnold family as a worthy recipient of this scholarship with such an incredible life story behind it. I am nothing but grateful for the decision.”
Konys, a senior biology major, said that by winning this scholarship, she will continue Danny’s legacy by making the most of the time she has left working in the genetics research lab on campus and also making the most of her time left on campus in general.
Arnold said that her brother left a legacy at Dayton by providing an opportunity, through his scholarship, for high caliber students to make the world a better place to live.
Darrow said the committee evaluates candidates based on their demonstrated commitment to scholarship, leadership and service. “Selecting the recipient is always difficult, as there are generally 10-15 great candidates. We wish we could make awards to more students,” he continued.
Konys said that after hearing about the Danny Arnold Scholarship for the first time a few years ago, winning it was “a very humbling experience.”
“This scholarship is an incredible way to remember Danny and keep his legacy alive, especially since the Honors Program and undergraduate research were some of his passions while at UD,” she said.
Arnold also said her brother would be equally as humbled by the 5K established in his honor.
“Ultimately, the sense of community felt at the race would have been his favorite part,” Arnold said. “Danny absolutely would have participated in a run like this. He loved to take charge and get things done. He also was very into physical fitness, so he would have loved the opportunity to get a good workout in!”
Konys mentioned that based on the huge turnout at the 5K this year by UD students, alumni and Danny’s family, it was easy to see how he touched so many lives, including hers.
“I never met Danny, but hearing from those who have, Danny Arnold’s legacy encompasses the best of what makes a great UD student,” Konys said. “He was incredibly driven in a variety of areas including service, academics, as well as dedicated to the research he worked on as an undergrad at UD.”
Roeske concluded that Danny was a notable pre-med student who embodied the Marianist mission of the University of Dayton and strove for physical, academic and spiritual excellence.
“He not only represented these values,” Roeske said, “but impacted others and inspired them to live as fully as he did.”
More than 200 runners and 50 volunteers participated in the Danny Arnold 5K. The scholarship is endowed and is just under $30K at $29,715.99
Danny Arnold 5K photo by Multimedia Editor Chris Santucci. Click here for more photos from the 2015 Danny Arnold 5K.