Jim Arnold: Biographical Information
[You may download my curriculum vitae (PDF) by clicking here.]
Now, here’s a little bit more of the story...
My undergraduate work was in Chemistry, with a minor in Math, at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. I hold M.S. degrees in both Organic Chemistry and Counseling from Oregon State University. I received my Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration, with a minor in American Studies, from Indiana University.
I have had careers as a chemist; a professional photographer; a small business owner; a counselor & therapist; and a college administrator.
I did not participate in Greek life as a traditional-aged college student. I first became interested, and quickly immersed, in that part of the campus experience during the time I was a professional photographer: when I began documenting fraternity and sorority events for hire. For three years I was the owner of a photography business that specialized, almost exclusively, in such events.
Thereafter, during my second year of doctoral studies at Indiana University, I embarked on a research project that lasted for four years: a comprehensive, interpretive field study of alcohol use and hazing in college fraternities. Of the four groups involved in the original phase of the research, I chose just one of them to focus on for my dissertation (1995).
My research is rather unique in the academic literature. In the study, using methods of an anthropologist in the field, I went out to observe and interview college students in their native habitat: the fraternity house. My dissertation tells the story of one pledge class and their socialization into the larger organization. (Probably the most, directly-comparable work was published by Thomas A. Leemon in 1972: The Rites of Passage in a Student Culture.)
Now, here’s a little bit more of the story...
My undergraduate work was in Chemistry, with a minor in Math, at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. I hold M.S. degrees in both Organic Chemistry and Counseling from Oregon State University. I received my Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration, with a minor in American Studies, from Indiana University.
I have had careers as a chemist; a professional photographer; a small business owner; a counselor & therapist; and a college administrator.
I did not participate in Greek life as a traditional-aged college student. I first became interested, and quickly immersed, in that part of the campus experience during the time I was a professional photographer: when I began documenting fraternity and sorority events for hire. For three years I was the owner of a photography business that specialized, almost exclusively, in such events.
Thereafter, during my second year of doctoral studies at Indiana University, I embarked on a research project that lasted for four years: a comprehensive, interpretive field study of alcohol use and hazing in college fraternities. Of the four groups involved in the original phase of the research, I chose just one of them to focus on for my dissertation (1995).
My research is rather unique in the academic literature. In the study, using methods of an anthropologist in the field, I went out to observe and interview college students in their native habitat: the fraternity house. My dissertation tells the story of one pledge class and their socialization into the larger organization. (Probably the most, directly-comparable work was published by Thomas A. Leemon in 1972: The Rites of Passage in a Student Culture.)