Diana Cash Lennon named 2023 Alumni President’s Volunteer of the Year

Diana Cash Lennon '93 is the 2023 Alumni President's Volunteer of the Year Award recipient.

This award, given annually by the president of the Alumni Association, recognizes a volunteer who has rendered outstanding service to the Alumni Association and the University throughout the year.  

Diana, born in Ohio, raised in Maryland, and moved to Lafayette by way of Denver in 1984, has a passion for volunteering and the breadth of experience to prove it.

Her love for volunteering began alongside her undergraduate academic pursuits. When she arrived on campus, she immediately sought ways to get involved. While earning her degree in public relations, she served as the chairman of Hands Across Campus, a collegiate chapter of Hands Across America that brought awareness to the fight against prejudice in the United States. Because she was a working student in her late 20s, she enjoyed providing support and guidance to her younger classmates. And, quite notable for a campus chock full of Ragin' Cajuns, she ran a program called Gumbo U, which, sadly, she says no longer exists.

Over the years, Diana's been part of more than a dozen local efforts and organizations, including Asbury United Methodist Church, Young Life, Samaritan's Purse, St. Joseph's Diner, United Way, Leadership Lafayette, Parish Proud, Love Our Schools, Lourdes Foundation, Lourdes Blood Donation Center, Justice Grillin' for MS, micro food drives for neighborhood non-profits, several Lafayette elementary, middle, and high schools, Acadiana Southern Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, and of course, her beloved alma mater, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. 

Diana became involved as a University volunteer in 2017 when a close friend began working for the Alumni Association. She jumped right in and plans to continue as long as she is able. Welcoming staff, friendly volunteers, and the opportunity to catch up with familiar faces motivate her to continue giving back to UL Lafayette again and again. 

When Diana is not volunteering, she continues to serve others through her law career. For over 40 years, she has helped legal clients as a receptionist, secretary, paralegal and marketing director. Today, she works as a verbatim hearing recorder, operating court recording equipment and making notes for Social Security Administration hearings. 

An outstanding volunteer herself, Diana urges young graduates to do the same. "Volunteer in an organization or cause that is near and dear to your heart," she said. "You never know what will lead to a job, and you'll feel good contributing anyway! I am always more blessed by giving than by those whom I'm helping."

Diana encourages alumni to "support our local university, which does so much for our community, and to give back some of yourself." To volunteer or learn more about the UL Lafayette Alumni Association, visit alumni.louisiana.edu or contact them by email at alumni@louisiana.edu.

Photo Caption: Diana Cash Lennon shows off her Volunteer of the Year Award at the Alumni Center. (Photo Credit: Courtney Bergeron/UL Lafayette)