MOUNT VERNON — Paul Swanson, who recently wrapped up his 26th year as the women’s volleyball coach at Mount Vernon Nazarene University, has been selected to serve as the school’s athletic director effective at the conclusion of the current school year.

Swanson, who will become only the fifth athletic director in the school’s 42-year history, will take over for Scott Flemming, who has served in that role for the past 20 years. Flemming, who was also MVNU’s men’s basketball coach for 19 years before stepping down from that role in 2009, has accepted a position as an assistant coach with the Texas Legends, an NBA D-League team for the Dallas Mavericks.

“We have a great staff of people who have done great things,” said Swanson. “Scott has provided great leadership for our department during his time here, and I am looking forward to all of us working together as we continue this in the future. While there are plenty of challenges, I am confident that with all of us working together we will be able to continue the great things that are happening in our department.”

Swanson will continue to serve as MVNU’s volleyball coach, where he has led the Cougars to a 907-308 record over 26 seasons (.747 winning percentage). He is the NAIA’s all-time volleyball wins leader with a 922-323 overall record, and he was inducted into the NCCAA Hall of Fame in 2005, the Cougar Wall of Fame in 2006 and the NAIA Hall of Fame in 2008.

Swanson will also continue in his role as the chair of the Physical Education Department. He was honored for his work in the classroom in 2002 when he was named the recipient of MVNU’s President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.

In addition to Swanson taking over the athletic director duties, MVNU women’s fastpitch softball coach Jeana Howald has been named the assistant athletic director. Her primary responsibility in this role will be handling administrative duties and also helping with the day-to-day business especially during the fall semester.

Howald, who is a 1982 graduate of MVNU and a former three-sport standout and Cougar Wall of Fame inductee, is in her 21st season as the school’s softball coach and has compiled a 461-361 overall record. She will also continue to teach in the Physical Education Department.

“Paul will add years of experience in the classroom and as a coach to his new position as athletic director,” said Dr. Henry Spaulding, MVNU’s Provost and Chief Academic Officer. “He is a significant leader on the MVNU campus and we are excited to see him in this new role. Jeana will also be a valuable asset to MVNU in this new position as well as to Paul in his new role.

“I look forward to working together with Paul and Jeana in their new roles,” said Lanette Sessink, MVNU’s Vice President of Student Development. “They are team players and I feel they will complement each other and do a great job in athletics.

“I am very comfortable and pleased to be handing the reigns over to Paul and Jeana in their new leadership roles,” said Flemming. “MVNU means a great deal to me and I know that they will continue and grow our great tradition in athletics.”