Colonel (Ret) Arlene F. Greenfield, BSHEC `71
Colonel Arlene F. Greenfield earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics from Ohio University in 1971 and a Master of Arts degree in Personnel Management and Human Relations from Webster University in Missouri in 1982.
Following her direct commission into the Women’s Army Corps after her OHIO graduation, Colonel Greenfield served in the United States Army for 30 years, including three successful command tours and a variety of stateside and international assignments. Her military schooling included a U.S. Army Fellowship at Harvard University; the Army's Inspector General School; and the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia.
Colonel Greenfield had extensive military experience in Human Resources, Personnel Management, Administration, Utilization, and Readiness; she served in multiple senior-level command and staff positions in the Department of Defense, Department of the Army, and Major Army Command. She was the military director of the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services, and was highly decorated, most notably, with the Legion of Merit and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. She retired with the rank of Colonel in 2001.
Colonel Greenfield’s military career, coupled with her ambitious and charitable nature, drove her to become involved with OHIO’s Women in Philanthropy and the Ohio University Alumni Association (OUAA) Board of Directors; she would later serve as chair of both organizations. She served on the Ohio University Foundation Board of Trustees and as an Ohio University Trustee. She also was involved with The Patton College Dean’s Circle of Engagement, The Promise Lives Campaign Committee, and Veteran’s Services.
The list of Colonel Greenfield’s contributions to Ohio University and its programs is extensive: ROTC, Athletics, Galbreath Chapel, Libraries, OUAA, Marching 110, Student Affairs, several colleges, and dozens of academic programs have benefited from her generosity. She also endowed a number of scholarships campus-wide. As invested as she was in the institution, she was even more devoted to the OHIO students, in particular, military veterans. She was an unwavering advocate for those suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and gave liberally of her time, talent, and treasure to support OHIO’s ROTC and veterans’ programs.
Her affinity toward service men and women extended beyond the walls of her alma mater; she remained involved with the military well into her retirement as a member of the Chief of Staff, Army Retired Soldier Council and as the medical chairperson of the Fort Myer Military Community Retiree Council. Colonel Greenfield also was partner and co-founder of Qualitative Research Service Consultants Inc., a small business specializing in research and analysis involving military, business, women and work, and educational organizations.
Colonel (Ret) Arlene F. Greenfield died unexpectedly on August 26, 2014, in Arlington, Virginia, at the age of 64. She was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.