Mendenhall named new executive director at Nebraska Alumni Association

Diane Mendenhall today was named executive director of the Nebraska Alumni Association. She will become the first director of the alumni association following a restructuring designed to better integrate its activities with alumni programming across the university.

Mendenhall's selection was announced by Alumni Association President Tom Burnell of Lincoln. Mendenhall, a native of Ogallala, will join the alumni staff Sept. 22 after eight years serving as assistant athletic director for development and ticketing for the NU Athletic Department. She succeeds James O'Hanlon, former dean of the College of Education and Human Sciences, who has served as interim executive director for the past year.

"Diane brings enthusiasm and energy to the association," Burnell said. "She is knowledgeable about the university and its importance to alumni and Nebraskans, and she understands the role of an alumni association in supporting research and education.

"With Diane, the association will show a renewed commitment to involving Nebraska alumni with their alma mater," he said. "Her background in coaching, mentoring, motivational speaking, management and fund raising, among other talents, will serve the alumni association and the university well."

As executive director of the 25,000-member Nebraska Alumni Association, Mendenhall will work closely with the university administration, athletic department, University of Nebraska Foundation, campus community and alumni chapters to encourage the active participation of alumni and friends with the university.

"This is an exciting time to join the efforts of Chancellor Harvey Perlman, the foundation and the alumni association in creating lifelong connections between alumni and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln," Mendenhall said. "The Nebraska Alumni Association is poised to engage alumni and friends of the university throughout the state, nation and world to support and celebrate the overall advancement of UNL as a world-class research university.

"I look forward to working with the staff at the alumni association as we provide a campus-wide conduit, coordinating the outreach efforts and creating energy and enthusiasm for alumni involvement."

Of the appointment, Chancellor Perlman said: "Diane's strengths in building relationships and developing programs that connect with alumni are just the talents that our association needs as it seeks to expand the involvement of alumni in the affairs of the university."

Mendenhall earned a bachelor of science degree (1981) in education at the University of Kansas, where she lettered in volleyball, serving as team captain in 1980 and as collegiate representative to the KU Athletic Council.

From 1981-1990 Mendenhall was associated with The Point Athletic Club in Lakewood, Colo., as athletic director, assistant club manager/marketing and sales director, and personal fitness trainer. She also was head coach of several volleyball teams, including Golden High School in Golden, Colo., (1985-1986); at York College (1992-1996), guiding the program from junior college status to the NAIA; and at Concordia University in Seward (1996-2000), where she led the program to a No. 14 national ranking in 1999. During this time she also served as a national consultant for Curtis & Associates Inc., presenting motivational philosophy, management, marketing and implementation seminars across the United States and Canada.

In 2000, Mendenhall joined the University of Nebraska Athletic Department as director of operations for Nebraska volleyball. During her tenure, the team recorded a 124-9 record, earning a national title, two final four appearances and three conference championships. She mentored volleyball student-athletes and staff members, and in 2006, was one of 50 individuals campus-wide to receive an inaugural "Making a Difference for Student-Athletes" award from the Student-Athletes Advisory Council. Since 2001, she has served as the Nebraska volleyball color analyst for the Husker Radio Network and host of the weekly Nebraska Volleyball Show.

In 2004, Mendenhall was named associate director of development for the athletic department and subsequently promoted to assistant athletic director, development. Named assistant athletic director, development and ticketing in 2006, she successfully blended the operation of two departments, creating a team responsible for nearly 70 percent of the athletic department budget. The department's annual fund increased from $11 million in 2004 to more than $17 million in 2008.

Mendenhall and her husband, Rich, have a daughter, Ally, who is a senior at Yale University this fall.