Dawn Stewart enters her fourth year as director of athletics at her alma mater. A 1998 graduate, she was hired on April 9, 2012 after Otterbein conducted a national search that netted over 100 applicants vying for the position. 
Stewart came to Otterbein from Capital University where she has served four years as athletic director. She holds 20 years of experience within intercollegiate athletics at the NCAA Division I and III levels as an athletics administrator and former student-athlete.
Since her arrival, Stewart has launched the Roush Hall of Champions interactive display, highlighting standout individuals and teams throughout the history of Cardinal athletics. She has also spearheaded the Turf and Track project in Memorial Stadium, which is expected to be completed come mid-to-late August.
Stewart, who was elected president of the Collegiate Event and Facility Management Association (CEFMA) in 2013, began her professional career at Otterbein in 1998 by serving as recruiting coordinator and assistant women’s tennis coach. She then transitioned to the University of Dayton in 2000.
At Dayton, Stewart worked from the ground up, first serving as director of ticketing services before being promoted to assistant director of athletics for business and communications in 2002. In 2007, she was named senior woman administrator, and in addition to continuing to manage a $17 million budget and athletics communication, was placed in charge of the office of athletics academic affairs.
Stewart was hired into her athletic director role at Capital in 2008 where she managed 18 varsity sports, along with 50 full- and part-time coaches and administrative personnel.
Stewart received her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Otterbein in 1998. She holds a master’s degree in sport management from The Ohio State University and is working on her doctorate in sport management at Ohio State.
[courtesy: Otterbein Athletics web site]
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