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An Appeal in Memory of
Dr. Arlene Sargent, Former Dean Of Nursing
JANUARY 11, 1944 – DECEMBER 18, 2023
Arlene Anne Sargent passed peacefully at home on December 18, 2023. She was a loving wife, a wonderful mother, an adoring grandmother, a devoted friend, and a passionate advocate for the field of professional nursing.
Arlene Anne Hondl arrived into the world in Little Falls, Minnesota, on January 11, 1944, the third of nine children born to Eleanor and Anton Hondl. She was raised in Minnesota in a small farming community, where she would work in the creamery after school and help her mother in the garden. After graduating from high school, she received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the College of St. Catherine in Minneapolis.
"Arlene was just the best. Special in so many ways. A true professional with a heart of gold. I will be forever grateful to have met her during my time at Samuel Merritt. She and Ken hosted a donor appreciation dinner at their beautiful home and it was amazing. It was a pleasure and honor to work with her. And, thank you, Ken, for going along with the shenanigans. You are much appreciated and you two made quite the team. My sincere condolences to you and your family." - Sue Valencia, Colleague
She began her nursing career as a bedside ICU nurse at the University of Washington Hospitals in Seattle and then returned to Minneapolis to be the Nurse Manager of the Oncology Unit at the University of Minnesota hospitals. She received her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Minnesota in 1972.
It was during her Master’s studies that she met a dashing hospital administration student named Ken Sargent. Despite her overall bias against hospital administrators, and after convincing him to part with his pet monkeys, she happily married him on June 16, 1972. Their first daughter, Lisa, was born in 1975, and their second daughter, Michelle, was born in 1979. They honored their 50th wedding anniversary with a grand celebration in the summer of 2022.
Arlene received her Doctorate of Education from Northern Illinois University in 1980 while raising children and working full-time. She held assistant professor positions at nursing schools in Illinois and Iowa before the family moved to California in 1983.
She was an Associate Professor of Nursing at Holy Names College in Oakland from 1983-1989 before becoming a Professor and Chairperson of Nursing from 1990-1999, during which time she developed a fully accredited MSN program.
Beginning in 2000, she worked at Samuel Merritt University as a Professor of Nursing, Associate Dean, and Dean. In those roles, she was instrumental in developing and implementing an accredited DNP program and launching a nationwide online MSN program. Additionally, she served in national leadership positions with WASC and Sigma Theta Tau, successfully secured national grants, and was published in various research journals. She believed unfailingly in the power of a bedside nurse to make a substantial impact for good in the world. For her work, she received the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award. At her retirement from SMU in 2017, she was bestowed the title of Professor Emeritus.
Her professional accomplishments notwithstanding, Arlene said that the thing she was most proud of in life was her family. She could always be counted on to offer good advice when asked, to remember everyone’s birthday with a beautiful card, and to celebrate all holidays with decorations and enthusiasm. She found joy in travelling with Ken, playing board games with friends, and doting on her grandchildren. She is a lasting inspiration in the values of kindness, compassion, and hard work.
Arlene is survived by her husband, her daughters, five grandchildren and seven of her brothers and sisters. A memorial service will be held on Friday, February 9th at 2pm at Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her honor to fund scholarships for nursing students.
"Perhaps Arlene’s greatest legacy to SMU was her ability to provide a supportive milieu for her directors, faculty, and students in creating, implementing, and improving the academic programs. Arlene always maintained a professional demeanor focused on finding creative solutions. Her organizational skills and positive attitude were appreciated by all who knew her. Personally, when I started at SMU nearly 20 years ago, Arlene served as a mentor and friend. She exuded class, professionalism, and grace. The Samuel Merritt University community has indeed lost an incredible person. Our heartfelt condolences go out to her family and friends."
- Steven Rush, PhD, RN, PNP, CNS
Interim Dean, College of Nursing
Samuel Merritt University
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