The National Association of Division III Athletics Administrators (NADIIIA) has named AMCC Commissioner Donna Ledwin the co-recipient of the 2024 Richard A. Rasmussen Lifetime Achievement Award.

The award is named for University Athletic Association Executive Director and NADIIIAA founder, Dick Rasmussen, and is presented to athletic administrators who have dedicated their professional career to the advancement of Division III. This is the highest award given by NADIIIAA to individuals who best exemplify the leadership and service that has made a significant impact on DIII as demonstrated by Rasmussen during his tenure as an athletic administrator.

The award was presented at the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics summer meeting in Las Vegas last month.  Terry Wansart, Director of Athletics at Hunter College, was the other recipient.

"I am proud to accept this honor on behalf of all the people who supported my success in college athletics administration over the past forty years," said Commissioner Ledwin.  "I learned from --and continue to learn from--such an incredible array of individuals, across multiple campuses, conferences and associations.  I'd like to think our student-athletes have been the primary beneficiaries of the fruits of the mentorship I received."

While starting her career in Division I, Commissioner Ledwin's path has been almost entirely in Division III as both an athletic director and conference commissioner.  She was named the first full-time commissioner of both the New Jersey Athletic Conference and the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference, where she has served since 2002.

She has made her mark over the decades in advancing the principles of sportsmanship, gender equity, and diversity and inclusion.  In addition to creating and supporting numerous related initiatives at the campus and conference levels, Commissioner Ledwin has also put her energy into making a difference at the national level.  Her NCAA service at the association-wide level includes the Committee on Women's Athletics; the Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee; and the Sportsmanship and Ethical Conduct Committee.  In Division III, her appointments have included the LGBTQIA+ Working Group; the Membership Committee; the Nominating Committee; the Infractions Committee; the Interpretations and Legislation Committee; and the Managment Council.

She is a past president of the Division III Commissioners Association, earning both the Meritorious Service and Distinguished Service Awards.  Commissioner Ledwin's previous accolades include being named the NACWAA Division III Regional Athletics Administrator of the Year; the ECAC Josten's Female Administrator of the Year; and is a member of the athletics halls of fame at Nardin Academy (inaugural class) and the College of Notre Dame of Maryland.

A cum laude graduate of Fordham University, where she competed in both tennis and volleyball, Commissioner Ledwin earned her Master's in Business Administration from Boston University.