Staying the Course: David Arrington’s Legacy at Duke

After 43 years of dedicated service at Duke University, David Arrington, chief financial officer and associate dean for finance and administration at the Sanford School of Public Policy, is preparing for retirement on Oct. 1.

The recipient of a Duke Presidential Award in 2020 – one of the highest honors given by Duke to staff and faculty members – his story is a powerful reminder of the impact of perseverance, faith and a commitment to community.

It is a journey that began with a young man on his bicycle weaving through the Duke campus that would become his lifelong professional home.

“I was born and raised in Durham. As a teen, I rode my bicycle through campus; I played tennis on the courts; I snuck into the gym. I always thought: This is kind of a neat-looking place,” Arrington said.

'I’ve always liked numbers'

Arrington began handling money as a Kroger cashier in 1975, when he earned just $2.85 per hour. As the first in his family to attend college, he pursued a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

“I’ve always liked numbers,” he recalled, adding that he confirmed his career path through several financial-related summer internships at notable companies like IBM and Burroughs Wellcome (now GlaxoSmithKline).

When he graduated from UNC in 1981, Arrington faced the daunting challenge of a hiring freeze at IBM and widened his job search. He applied for many positions, including at Duke University, where he had to take a typing test to advance his application.

“I flunked the first one, but I took it a week later and passed, which made my application active in the Duke system,” he said.

He kept applying, eventually landing his first position at Duke in December 1981. Beginning his first role in the Plant Accounting Office, he quickly recognized the opportunities available within the large institution, transitioning to various roles at Duke that expanded his expertise in finance, accounting, contracts and grants and human resources.

“Each job was a building block,” Arrington reflects, highlighting the diverse skills he acquired throughout his career.

Arrington’s skills and portfolio grew further when he became the first CFO of the Organization for Tropical Studies, where he managed financial operations and traveled extensively to Costa Rica.

“Even though I liked my job and working in Costa Rica, I wanted to be part of Duke again fully. I applied to a finance job in a Duke school, but I didn’t get the job. It was very impactful to me. In the rejection letter, they said: ‘You had all the capabilities, but you didn’t seem interested in us,’” Arrington said.

That rejection letter was a turning point.

Joining Sanford and growth as a leader

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“When Sanford’s institute position opened up, I was prepared. I was ready with about 45 questions. The rejection process made me buckle down. It taught me to be intentional and proactive. If you want something, you need to prepare for it,” Arrington said.

He got the job.

In August 1999, Arrington joined the Sanford School, where he has spent the past 25 years fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment. His leadership style, described by colleagues as “selfless and inclusive,” set the tone for the school’s strong community culture.

“For me, leadership is being the tone at the top. Leaders set the tone, and hopefully through their voice and actions, their leadership will permeate the organization. It’s powerful to empower, inspire and motivate others. And if you enjoy what you do, you will never work a day in your life,” he said.

Throughout his tenure, Arrington has witnessed transformative changes at Duke, particularly in technology and organizational growth. He recalls starting in a pre-computer era and marveling at the arrival of his first desktop computer in the late 1980s.

More recently, he played a pivotal role in the Sanford School’s transition from an institute to a full-fledged school in 2009, an endeavor that required significant planning and dedication.

“The process started in 2005 to become a school, and become more intense in 2007 as we prepared for analysis and launch of the school. It was like watching an infant being born, crawling and then taking first steps. We stood on our own and became bolder each year,” he said.

Arrington worked for faculty leaders including Phil Cook, Bruce Jentleson, Bruce Kuniholm, Kelly Brownell, Judith Kelley and Manoj Mohanan.

“Every work day is a lesson in discovery,” he stated, emphasizing his proactive approach to identifying creative solutions for complex challenges.

reflections

As he prepares to retire, Arrington reflects on the relationships he has built over the years.

“I won’t miss the processes; I will miss the people!” he admitted. His colleagues describe him as a rock who consistently finds ways to motivate and inspire others.

Arrington plans to embrace retirement with the same enthusiasm he brought to his career. He aims to travel with his wife, play golf, learn pickleball and volunteer for his church’s preschool program.

Looking back on his career, Arrington is proud of the lasting relationships he has built and the legacy he leaves behind, not just through the financial systems he established, but through the culture of community he nurtured within the Sanford School and Duke.

“I’m a Carolina guy who has been at Duke for more than 43 years,” he reflected. “I stayed the course.”

Interim Dean Manoj Mohanan: “Your contributions to Duke and Sanford have been nothing short of extraordinary. You have not only shaped our projects but also our culture. You have always reminded us of the importance of family and community. As you step into this new chapter, filled with rounds of golf, travel, and hopefully more relaxation than you can imagine, remember that you leave behind a legacy of camaraderie, laughter, and people who care about you and thank you for being there for us.

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Dean Emeritus Bruce Kuniholm, who presented Arrington with his own custom-made rocking chair: “David was one of the key individuals to make the evolution of the institute to school possible. It was a complicated financial arrangement that he oversaw, while ensuring constant focus on the special sense of community.”

Faculty Member Bruce Jentleson: “David worked with six different directors and deans at Sanford, each with their own style. None of us could have done our job without your hard work.”

Incoming Associate Dean of Finance & Administration Zach Johnson: “It’s because of you I am here today. We bonded over family, golf, landscaping and religion. David, you have been a mentor on how to live with purpose and humility.”

Human Resources Director Sumetrice Porter: “I will remember you for standing up for what is right and for your empathy.”

Director of IT and Facilities Neil Prentice: “I worked for David for 21 years. Thank you for everything over the past two decades.”

Former Dean Judith Kelley: “David, you are a remarkable human being.”

DCID Executive Director Jon Abels: “You walked the walk…and you focused on what is good and fair. You had our back, with gentle humor.”

Former HR Manager Nancy Shaw who gave him a gift: “I worked with David for over 20 years, and sometimes we agreed to disagree. Here is a jar of M&Ms for every time we agreed to disagree over 20 years.”

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Faculty Member Nick Carnes, who shared Arrington’s many acknowledgement emails to him: “David, you are an institution…and now I acknowledge (your) career.”

DeWitt Wallace Center's Shelley Stonecipher: “I worked with David for 20 years. David has been there for me for every challenge, every celebration. Everything I know about leadership has been shaped by David.”

David Arrington: “This place has been special to me. I’m going to miss the people, not the processes!”

From a Song for David Arrington’s Retirement

Sung to the tune of Take Me Out to the Ballgame.

David says he’s retiring.

David says he is done.

He’s been our anchor through thick and thin.

How do we say so long to him?