Dr. Douglas C. Arnold, a lifelong resident of Monroe County, was chosen as the recipient of the A. Mitchell Palmer award at a dinner sponsored by the Elks No. 319 and the Monroe County Bar association on Sept. 11.

Arnold retired from a career in public school education in 2013 after having spent all of his professional years in both the East Stroudsburg Area School District and the Pleasant Valley School District. He rose to the level of assistant superintendent at East Stroudsburg and was the superintendent of schools at Pleasant Valley.

The A. Mitchell Palmer Award recognizes individuals within Monroe County for their long-term and significant contributions in the field of law, public safety or community service. The award is named in memory of the early 20th century Stroudsburg attorney, businessman and politician, A. Mitchell Palmer.

Included in his lifetime of public service, Palmer served three terms in Congress (1909-15) and two years as Attorney General for the United States (1919-21).

He was also a founding charter member of the East Stroudsburg Elks in 1895 and served as their third Exalted Ruler.

Arnold, a lifelong resident of Monroe County, retired from a career in public school education in 2013 after having spent all of his professional years in both the East Stroudsburg Area School District and the Pleasant Valley School District.

He was also an adjunct professor for graduate level and doctoral level courses at Marywood.

He is currently the executive director for the Pennsylvania Association of Pupil Services Administrators.

Over the years, Arnold has performed extensive volunteer work, and in 2014 he received the Family and Community Service Award from the Rotary Club of the Stroudsburgs.

He also received the William Booth Award, which is one of the highest awards that may be conferred upon an individual by the Salvation Army, for dedication to the Salvation Army’s goals of service to man, outstanding humanitarian effort within the community and outstanding service to the community through the donation of time, expertise and energy.

His community volunteer work included many organizations, some of which include Penn State Cooperative Extension, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, West End Park and Open Space Commission, Monroe County Historical Association, Monroe County Children’s Roundtable, YMCA and East Stroudsburg Area School District Halls and Walls of Fame. The entire proceeds of the event fund scholarships for Monroe County High School graduates.