 In 1959, he was named Professor of History and President of Smith College, retaining that post until his retirement in 1975.Mendenhall's collection of his correspondence, research materials, and writings on the history of collegiate rowing () is deposited in the G. W. Blunt White Library at Mystic Seaport.His personal papers and his official papers as president of Smith College (Record Group 32) are located in the Five Colleges Archives and Manuscript Collections at Smith College.