2:51 p.m., Aug. 27, 2008----Cynthia Campanella, a UD alumna with more than 20 years of experience as a corporate manager and events planner, has been named the University's director of alumni relations, Monica Taylor, vice president for development and alumni relations, announced today. Her appointment, which follows an extensive search, is effective Sept. 2.

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In her new position, Campanella, of Newark, will be responsible for such initiatives as coordinating and enhancing UD's regional and affinity alumni clubs worldwide; developing new programming for alumni; planning such events as Homecoming and Reunion Weekend; serving as the administrative leader of the UD Alumni Association; and working with other University offices to foster greater alumni involvement in a variety of activities.

“I am delighted that Cindy Campanella will be joining our team,” Taylor said. “She is a Delawarean and, more importantly, a Blue Hen, with significant management experience and a commitment to working for her community.”

“This is an exciting time for alumni relations and for the University, and we look forward to the role Cindy will play in strengthening and growing our global alumni network.”

Campanella said she views her new position as presenting “a unique set of opportunities” to be part of UD's progress over the next several years as set out in UD President Patrick Harker's Path to Prominence^TM strategic plan.

“I am honored to be able to serve in this role and to contribute to the University's growth under the leadership of President Harker and Monica Taylor,” she said. “I was drawn to the University for many reasons, one being the transformation it will undergo over the next several years. The Path to Prominence is the ideal strategy to ensure that the University of Delaware exceeds its goal of being recognized as a premier public university.”

Campanella, who earned her undergraduate degree in consumer economics at UD in 1984, noted that the Office of Alumni Relations will be involved in numerous initiatives designed to meet the strategic goal of creating a more engaged University. She pointed to UDconnection.com, the new online community for alumni, as offering “endless possibilities for us to connect with our alumni and expand our communications in a real-time medium.”

“Our alumni are an extremely valuable asset, and we will strive to strengthen our current relationships, reconnect with those we have lost touch with and expand every service and opportunity, so that everyone wins in the relationship,” she said.

Campanella worked for MBNA America (now Bank of America) in a variety of positions from 1985-2006, including outward telesales department manager and manager of the “People Satisfaction” initiatives for the bank's U.S. card business operations. In the latter role, she managed all community relations activities in Delaware and the region related to events, meetings and community volunteerism, resulting in more than $50 million raised and 4 million volunteer hours contributed to community and educational organizations.

In 2006, Campanella was one of four founders of a custom personal-services and event planning firm, GB...At Your Service! She served as executive director of the company, located in Centreville and Rehoboth, Del., until earlier this year.

Campanella serves on the boards of the Greater Newark Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware and the Delaware Dance Company, on the Founder's Committee for the Little Sisters of the Poor and as a volunteer for the American Cancer Society, where she has helped plan the annual Hodgson Vo-Tech Relay for Life fundraising event.

Article by Ann Manser