UofL board members approved the appointment July 10. Dietzler comes from the University of Georgia, where she served in various roles including executive director of alumni relations since 1997.
“This is an exciting time for the University of Louisville as we move into the ACC,” said Keith Inman, vice president for university advancement. “Deborah is the ideal person to lead the alumni association and take advantage of the new opportunities in front of us.”
Dietzler’s responsibilities will include the creation of a modern alumni relations and annual giving operation equipped to face the challenges of the future. She will also support the university’s continued goal of becoming the state’s nationally recognized premier metropolitan research institution.
“I am honored to have this opportunity and eager to get to work,” said Dietzler. “This organization has come a long way in recent years, but there is more we must do to capitalize on the opportunities in front of us. I am looking forward to engaging with the more than 140,000 alumni who are proud to call themselves Cardinals.”
Considered a national leader in the field of alumni relations, Dietzler has been president of the Alumni Directors of the Southeastern Conference and also chaired the Council of Alumni Executives summer 2008 institute. She is a frequent presenter at conferences and has performed pro bono work for various community nonprofits.
Dietzler has been active in the Athens community and served in leadership positions such as the Junior League of Athens, where she was president in 2004-2005. A member of Athens Rotary, she received several awards from the club in honor of her work. Dietzler holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Hofstra University, a master’s in marketing from Texas A&M, and is currently pursuing a doctorate in higher education management.