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For Diane Goddard, g’91, giving back has never been a one-time act—it’s been a lifetime commitment. Over her 36-year career at the University of Kansas, she held a variety of leadership roles, including chief financial officer and vice provost for finance. When she retired in 2020, she continued her dedication to service in new capacities, including sharing her knowledge with the next generation.
During her years at KU, Goddard wasn’t just a leader in financial operations; she was also involved in other areas of campus and served on boards for a variety of organizations like Kansas Athletics, the KU Center for Research and the Student Union Board. “Being on a board is continuous involvement in an organization,” said Goddard. “It allows you to have input into the future of an organization.”
Originally from the east coast, Goddard and her family moved to Lawrence after her husband Stephen accepted a position at the Spencer Museum of Art. Shortly after the move, they were invited by friends to visit Estes Park, Colorado. Nestled at the edge of Rocky Mountain National Park, the Goddards instantly fell in love with the area. Ever since that first camping trip, it became their annual summer family vacation spot for nearly four decades.
So, when it came time to retire, the decision was easy. She and her husband relocated full-time to their stone cabin near Estes Park. But retirement didn’t mean stepping back. Instead, Diane continued her commitment to service by first serving on the finance committee for the Estes Velley Land Trust, then joining the Rocky Mountain Conservancy, where she now sits on the board of directors and serves as treasurer.
The Rocky Mountain Conservancy plays a vital role in supporting Rocky Mountain National Park through private funding—managing millions of dollars in membership dues, merchandise sales and donor gifts. These funds help power initiatives like trail maintenance, youth education programs and housing for seasonal staff. They also co-sponsor the park’s Artist-in-Residence program that invites creative professionals to stay and work at the William Allen White cabin located at Morain lake.
As treasurer, Goddard’s experience in financial planning, budgeting and oversight ensures that these funds are managed with care and transparency. And as Goddard states, these funds are needed now more than ever. “Like every other national park, they don’t get enough funding from the government, and funding has been now declining,” said Goddard. “Rocky Mountain National Park is very committed to keeping the experience for visitors the same, even with a tightening of resources.”
She shares a love for the park, and for volunteering with her husband, who served as the associate director and senior curator for the Spencer Art Museum and currently serves on the museum’s advisory board. During the winters, he volunteers for the National Park with a group known as the “Sled Dawgs” who help with safety at the ski slopes and sledding areas. During the summer, he volunteers with the Park’s Continental Divide Research & Learning Center, gathering wildlife and visitor information, and at Wild Basin Ranger Station as a point-of-contact for hikers so they can have a safe and enjoyable visit.
Besides her work for the Conversancy, Goddard is dedicated to sharing her extensive experience and knowledge in higher education. Upon her retirement, she was approached by the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) to work in a consulting capacity.
“I felt like I had a lot to offer after retirement,” she said, “It keeps me connected to my colleagues across the country and allows me to give back.”
In this role, she works with colleges of all sizes across the country as a practice lead for budget reviews and optimization while mentoring new chief business officers in higher education. “Right now, with the environment that we’re in with all the changes in federal government schools are really, really struggling.”
By offering budget reviews and one-on-one guidance, she helps shape the next generation of university leaders—ensuring that colleges and universities across the country are well-positioned for the future.
From the financial offices of academia to the protected trails of the Rockies, Goddard’s story is one of steady leadership. Going back to the days early in her career, while working at Yale University, and finding time to volunteer to teach English to non-English speaking students and staff members—Goddard is grounded in giving back.
She believes that retirement can be one of the most rewarding times to start volunteering or serving. “We’ve worked really hard all our lives. Now, we get to very distinctly pick and choose what we want to do with all the hours we now have available to us,” she reflected.
“It’s a way to support members of the community. Whether it’s Boys and Girls Club, or a Gay-Straight alliance, there are so many people right now who are struggling, maybe not visibly, but they’re struggling and could use somebody just like you to be an advocate for them,” she said, “It matters. It makes a difference.”
Hawk Link also serves as a community-builder on the KU department side, with collaborative events supporting their common goal of supporting student success.
Last semester, over 400 students attended Fuel Up for Finals with Hawk Link and KU Libraries offering build-your-own finals survival kits. This semester Hawk Link, Student Union Activities (SUA) and International Support Services (ISS) are hosting International Student Night at a KU women’s basketball game on February 18.
“We’re trying to get the word out to more people to get students engaged,” says Coury. “While they’re here on campus, it’s so important that they find community and networking, and that is done through programming. Because if you just have one friend that says, ‘Hey, let’s go to the SUA event,’ then they’re not going by themselves. You have to get out of your room. You have to get out of your comfort zone. You can’t just sit and wait.”
Part of the Stanley family’s community during those tough years, the people dropping off meals and more, were their lifelong friends made at KU. “My time at KU was such a blessing and continues to show up in my life in the most amazing ways,” she added. The Stanley family has recently been spending more time on KU’s campus, specifically the Horejsi Family Volleyball Arena. Taylor, the eldest Stanley daughter, is following in her mother’s footsteps and is committed to play volleyball at KU in 2026. The younger Stanley daughter, Callyn, is now a two-time cancer survivor and a happy and healthy thirteen-year-old.
You can learn more about Braden’s Hope for Childhood Cancer at www.bradenshope.org.
Montenegro and Croatia
Once we departed from Greece, we set sail to Kotor, Montenegro. We stepped off the ship, engrossed in the beautiful views of rugged peaks mirrored in the bay. Along with our Jayhawk friends, we were whisked away on tuk tuks to explore the town along the Adriatic. We noticed fortified walls we later stepped through to be warped into Kotor’s Old Town. Our young tour guide navigated us along curvy roads past striking views as he entertained us with stories about Kotor’s deep history. We learned about the three sisters who were in love with the same young sailor and saw our guide’s home. Interacting with a local in this capacity was so enjoyable because we got a glimpse of what life looks like in Kotor. We arrived at Porto Montenegro, a secluded portside filled with luxury boutiques, waterside cafes and superyachts. After 30 minutes of speed shopping, we got back on the tuk tuk and took an alternate way back to the ship so that we couldexperience the most sought-after lookout point in Kotor. We followed our tour with a stroll through Old Town, past medieval buildings and charming squares with a freshly baked pastry in hand. The Cathedral of Saint Tryphon took the cake of our time in Kotor!
Our final destination before disembarkation of our ship in Venice was Split, Croatia. As the morning subsided, Split was bustling with energy. Split showed elements of both modern life and Roman ruins. The Riva Promenade couldn’t be missed as we ventured further into the city. The lines of palm trees and benches to rest on and admire the views of the port while savoring Krofnes, fluffy-filled Croatian donuts, were just what we needed after an adventure-filled week. Our favorite details of Split were the hidden courtyards and lively markets.
Our Jayhawks Give Back program is presented in partnership with Andrew Wymore, Senior Realtor with ReeceNichols.
Jayhawks Give Back celebrates ’Hawks who are making a difference in ways big and small. Each quarter, we’ll feature a member of the KU family and their story. If you know a Jayhawk who should be featured in Jayhawks Give Back, let us know!
