KENNESAW — Surprise!
Several dozen people gathered for a surprise party at the Prillaman Center on Kennesaw State University’s campus to celebrate the career of Terri Arnold, one of the university’s first Black employees.
Mary Kelley, a member of the Ebony Women’s Book Club of North Cobb along with Arnold, led the effort to organize this month’s event honoring the “Georgia Peach” on the university campus.
Light poured through windows as Arnold stepped behind the podium to chants of “Terri! Terri! Terri!”
Arnold, who worked at KSU for 45 years, choked up as she tried to express her gratitude.
“This is such an honor and such a surprise,” she said. “I am just humbled to be the recipient of such warm and loving praise. I really don’t know what to say because I was not prepared for this at all.”
Hired in June 1971, back when KSU was Kennesaw Junior College, Arnold is described as a “trailblazer” by her colleagues.
She arrived ahead of the surprise thinking she was meeting and supporting a young man beginning his journey at the university. She soon found out that the gathering was to celebrate her.
“It’s overwhelming,” Arnold said. “I look around and see so many faces of all of my friends, loved ones, family and I am just in awe that so many people love and appreciate me. And I am truly, truly thankful for all that each and every one of you have given to me.”
Arnold began working at Kennesaw Junior College after hearing about a secretary position. After excelling at typing and shorthand at Marietta High School, Arnold was an ideal candidate for a federal program designed to give minority and high-risk youth from metro Atlanta access to college.
“I was 19 years old, and didn’t know anything about anything, but I knew that I needed a job, and I needed to do what I needed to do to get by,” she said. “That was something instilled in me and my brothers from a very, very early age. You go out there and do the very best that you know how to do and you’ll be all right.”
Arnold spent 40 years working at KSU, before initially retiring in 2010. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Kennesaw State in 2002 and spent the last four years of her career as manager for planning and strategic initiatives in the Division of External Affairs. Arnold returned to a part-time role with the department for five years, before she stopped working in March 2016.
“I grew up here and it was through the relationships, the many people I met along the way, that helped form and mold me into the person that I am today,” Arnold said. “It wasn’t always easy, but it was all worth the journey. I am forever grateful for the time I have spent here at KSU.”
Many people in the audience were visibly impacted by Arnold’s words.
“Does anyone have a tissue?” someone asked as the crowd laughed.
Arnold, a Marietta native who still lives in the community, helped integrate Marietta High School her junior year. Arnold’s older brother, who graduated high school in 1967, was in the last graduating class from the segregated all Black Lemon Street High School.
Arnold enrolled at MHS in the fall of 1967 and graduated in 1969.
“It was not fun,” Arnold said. “Going over there as a junior, it was not a pleasant experience. It wasn’t horrible or anything, but it felt like I didn’t belong.”
Tom Scott, professor emeritus of history at KSU, has been familiar with Arnold since he arrived at KSU in the late 1960s.
“She was not only the first Black secretary,” Scott said. “Terri’s the only one who stayed for her career, and that’s rare.”
When Scott and Arnold began their careers, only 4% of Cobb County residents were Black.
“The fact that she stayed her whole career is a testimonial that Kennesaw proved to be a pretty welcoming environment,” Scott said. “She is super nice, super outgoing, and super confident.”
Arnold, after accepting the secretary position, became one of the first black employees at the college.
“I knew I had to be the best,” Arnold said. “That’s how a lot of Black women moved up.”
Charles Williams, Dorothy Freeman, and Ray Evans were employed by Kennesaw Junior College before Arnold.
“Kennesaw State was the best thing that ever happened to me,” Arnold said.
Many people spoke during the celebration, recounting stories and telling the audience the various ways Arnold had impacted their lives.
“KSU is a better place because of Terri,” said state Rep. Lisa Campbell, D-Kennesaw. “Her trailblazing spirit has inspired us all. She helped integrate Marietta High School and other places in the community. She was the first Black woman to serve as the secretary to the dean during a time when segregation still permeated our society.”
Sarah Bivens spoke about how much Arnold has impacted her life.
“She is a powerful leader,” Bivens said. “Everyone needs someone like Terri on their team.”
Smiles, tears, and applause filled the room after each speaker.
Cortney Jordan, Arnold’s daughter, wearing a bright blue dress, praised her mom for being an outstanding human being.
“We are here celebrating her commitment and the caliber of her character,” Jordan said. “You show up day after day, year after year. You’re so impressive to everyone here today.”
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