A Special Message from Santa Ana College
Dear Friends of Santa Ana College,
One week ago, a titan of Santa Ana College passed away. Sportscaster Ed Arnold, a SAC alumnus who would go on to become a legendary announcer and broadcaster at KTLA and KABC, died April 10. Our SAC family sends our deepest condolences to all who loved him.
What made Ed extraordinary was his deep sense of service, his love for his alma mater, his sincere care for others, as well as his desire to give back to the place where he got his start. Throughout the years, Ed dedicated thousands of hours to Santa Ana College and specifically to the work of the Foundation. He served for more than 30 years on the SAC Foundation Board of Directors, including as President and Chair. He was instrumental in bringing hundreds of alumni, friends and partners to the College and the Foundation, all with his passionate “Go Dons" energy. He assisted in building out the first ever Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Program and played a pivotal role in growing SAC's brand via the Alumni Hall of Fame Induction process.
Here at SAC, Ed was inducted into both the Alumni Hall of Fame and the Athletics Hall of Fame, having played on the Dons' 1961 Eastern Conference Championship football team. In 2003, our annual golf tournament was named the Ed Arnold Golf Classic to recognize Ed's commitment to our athletic programs. And when this year's event tees off on May 5 at Mission Viejo Country Club, we will miss its namesake tremendously.
Ed was a man whose sense of advocacy and volunteerism was so central to his identity, and SAC is grateful to be a beneficiary of his philanthropy. He truly set the stage when it came to giving, dedicating thousands of hours on committees and projects for the Foundation and the College. His leadership on our Alumni Hall of Fame Committee ensured our Alumni Hall of Fame Awards and Inductees Ceremony continues to recognize outstanding alumni and raise important funds for scholarships and programs impacting the lives of our students.
After attending SAC, Ed transferred to CSU Long Beach and went on to work in radio in Los Angeles and Orange County. He joined KTLA in the late 1960s as an announcer and sportscaster, and then KABC in 1975. After working for other broadcasters, he returned to KTLA from 1986 to 1999. Throughout his successful and lengthy broadcasting career and beyond, Ed remained a faithful supporter of SAC and other nonprofits, including the Special Olympics.
When we think about the legacy that Santa Ana College has in our community – especially as we reflect on this year being the 110th Anniversary of the College – it is individuals like Ed who made all the difference. His students-first approach, as well as his pride and selflessness will be remembered forever. Ed will remain part of the fabric of our college and his impact is built into everything we have done for our students in the last century. For more than 60 years, he wove himself into his alma mater, setting the stage for more greatness to come for our students. Ed was a giant and one we will not replace – nor would we want to.
On behalf of our students, faculty and all who have benefitted from Ed's generosity over the years, we send our deepest sympathies to Ed's wife of 63 years, Dixie, and their son, Dean, daughter-in-law, Rachel, and grandchildren, Jacob and Luke. To read more about Ed's extraordinary life, please see the links we shared below.
Respectfully,
Annebelle Nery, Ph.D.
President, Santa Ana College
Christina R. Romero, M.A.
Executive Director, Advancement, Santa Ana College
David Valentin
President, Santa Ana College Board of Directors
To learn and read more about Ed Arnold, please read the following.
Questions about this press release can be directed to Ethereal Violet Reyes, Public Information Officer at reyes_ethereal@sac.edu.
About Santa Ana College:
Santa Ana College (SAC), founded in 1915, serves more than 70,000 students yearly for credit and noncredit classes. At present, SAC students can work toward completing an associate degree, university transfer, career/workforce training or a bachelor's degree in occupational studies. In 2025, the college will offer a second bachelor's degree in Paralegal Studies. As part of Santa Ana College, the School of Continuing Education located at Centennial Education Center offers free classes throughout the community for adults of all ages and academic backgrounds. Santa Ana College is an award-winning college and was recently ranked as one of the nation's top two-year colleges awarding associate degrees to Latino and Asian students and named one of the best community colleges in California by Intelligent.com for a 2nd consecutive year. The college is also recognized throughout the state for its comprehensive workforce training programs for nurses, firefighters, law enforcement and medical personnel. Santa Ana College is one of two comprehensive colleges under the auspices of the Rancho Santiago Community College District.
