UC Where You Are

Cindy Chiang: One 'Amazing' Chicago Bearcat

2012-03-08T15:54:00.000-05:00

Cindy Chiang (Engineering, 2004) and fiancé Ernie Halvorsen

earned $1 million after being named co-champions of CBS’s

19th season of The Amazing Race.

In case you missed the first edition of our all-new "UC Where You Are" e-newsletter, we're featuring some of the top-read stories here on our blog. If you like what you see, check out the full issue online and then update your contact information to ensure you receive the latest version in your inbox every few months. Comment below if you have the perfect alum in mind for us to feature in our spring edition too!

Meet University of Cincinnati alumna Cindy Chiang and her fiancé Ernie Halvorsen, both inspirational winners of CBS’s 19th season of The Amazing Race.

Before becoming a UC alum, Cindy earned her undergraduate degree as an honors student in biomedical engineering and was involved in as many activities as she could cram into a week. A member of Chi Omega sorority, Sigma Phi women’s honorary, Omicron Delta Kappa leadership honor society, Golden Key, and president of both the Women’s Panhellenic Association and CWEST (Cincinnati Women for Excellence and Spirit Together), Cindy made the seemingly impossible schedule part of her daily routine.

Fast forward to 2011--Cindy and Ernie watched the Amazing Race together for several seasons before Cindy suggested they submit an entry. Shortly thereafter, the newly engaged couple received notice that they were to be race contestants. The two travelled and competed in the televised contest for 23 days -- to twenty cities on four continents. Using clues provided at each leg of the journey, Cindy, Ernie and the other contestants performed prescribed tasks and raced off to their next destinations. In the end, Cindy and Ernie handily won The Race—receiving $1 million and announcing their honorable intent to dedicate the funds to improving the lives of children worldwide.

The case of The Amazing Race, Season 19.

Cindy credits serving on the Student Alumni Council (SAC) as one of her favorite college experiences. Cindy recalls her time with UC SAC fondly because of the relationships she built with a broad cross-section of students, as well as alumni. Despite her involvement and growing confidence, Cindy knew she would be at the bottom of any professional hierarchy upon graduation. In order to be most competitive in the job market, she connected with three alumnae mentors: Kristin Bush, Heather Borchers Rogers and Caty Grzymajlo. Under their influence, she decided to work for Procter & Gamble in Cincinnati.

Now grateful that she “couldn’t say no to volunteerism” as an undergraduate, Cindy knows the relationships she built with alumni as a student have had a tremendous impact on her life. Through that network, she not only carved out a meaningful career path, but also discovered the value in staying connected to the UC Alumni Association (UCAA).

Now a Chicago resident working for Kraft Foods, Cindy’s plans for the future are a perfect combination of the values and integrity she developed over time while both an undergrad and alumna at UC. She and Ernie are using their Amazing Race award funds to build a business that will encourage American youth to live a healthier lifestyle. Cindy and Ernie’s young athletes’ program will support academic scholarships for educating youth around the world.

Cindy and Ernie competing in Amazing Race.

In her not-so-spare time, Cindy serves on the UCAA’s strategic mission and goals committee. Ask Cindy what UCAA means to her, and she’s likely to tell you that everyone involved with the UC Alumni Association has affected her life.

According to Cindy “I’ve met some really inspirational alumni who challenged me to dream big and go for it. If it weren’t for the advice of UC alumni, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

History Buff? Test and Polish Your UC Trivia!

2012-02-29T10:00:00.000-05:00

Did you know that one of the first attempts to establish the University of Cincinnati back in the early 1800's was through a community sweepstakes to raise $6,000?! Sadly, the first half-built university building being funded by the lottery was destroyed by the disastrous tornado that struck Cincinnati in 1809.

In his first of seven UC history lectures, UC's own Greg Hand uncovers this suprising tale, among several other historical unknowns surrounding UC's most formative years. Hand, associate vice president, university spokesperson and resident history buff is delivering a series of free 55-minute lunchtime talks in the Tangeman University Center Theater the third Thursday of each month. Each installment takes the audience through another entertaining chapter of the university's storied history.

In his next session on March 15, Hand will explore the university's geography through the campuses UC has occupied over the centuries. Some of these campuses are large and permanent while some were just fleeting outposts. Some “ghost” campuses still haunt the landscape. All have unusual and surprising stories.

Get caught up on what you missed and watch the first two sessions here or on the Proudly Cincinnati YouTube channel: "Patrons & Poltroons" and "140 Years in 55 Minutes."

Even if you can't attend in person, you can participate in the remaining sessions too by tuning in live on our live streaming channel. Mark your calendars now:

12:30 p.m., March 15 -- Evolution of UC's Campus and Many Campuses of UC's Colleges

12:30 p.m., April 19 -- Student Pioneers: First Alumni

12:30 p.m., May 17 -- Origin of UC Regalia & Symbols

Surprise your friends with a ton of UC fun facts...you won't believe what all has happened in 200 years!

New Alumni e-Newsletter Might Spotlight You Next

2012-02-24T14:04:00.001-05:00

If we don't have your e-mail address, chances are you missed the first edition of our new "UC Where You Are" e-newsletter! It's not too late to check out the full issue online and then update your contact information to ensure you receive the latest version in your inbox every few months.

Like this blog, the new e-newsletter is all about bringing UC to you...no matter where you live. Some of the staff at UC (like John Albachten featured in this first issue) have the good fortune to meet and stay connected with incredible alumni like you, all with awesome stories about life after, yet still including, UC.

Through them, we're finding out that the depth of stories surrounding your Bearcat communities all around the world is even too much for this blog to handle at times. And oftentimes, your stories of accomplishment and community building are a good reminder of the unique role UC still plays in your personal, professional and social lives - even long after you leave campus.

So this is our way of spotlighting the amazing things alumni like you are doing to advance UC, your communities, your industries and often, the world. We hope it inspires you to connect with your local Bearcat community, connected to UC and even share your story with us, if you feel so inclined. We'll be featuring the top alumni spotlights right here on this blog too, so be on the lookout for these most recent ones over the next couple of weeks!

Comment below or give us a shout on Twitter @UofCincyAlumni or at alumni.association@uc.edu to let us know what's new with you or even nominate a fellow alum to spotlight on this blog or in the next newsletter.

Hope you enjoy this first edition and let us know what you want to see in the next one!

Couple's Shared Love for UC Inspires Red & Black Wedding

2012-02-14T18:29:00.001-05:00

Once upon a time there were two students so committed to UC that they were destined to a Bearcat romance. Their love story begins and continues with UC at its center.

Leah's formal where this love story began.

Seth Vensil's and Leah Taylor's stars collided in 2009 when Leah needed a date to her sorority formal. Mutual friends pinned Seth as the perfect match for Leah and sparks flew instantly. The couple capped off their perfect first date with a stroll around UC’s campus that landed them at McMicken Tower and their (then) favorite Greek hangout, Uncle Woody’s.

Two years later, their love story came full circle when Seth invited Leah back to McMicken Hall. He wanted her to kiss Mick and Mack for good luck before his medical boards the following day, but Leah turned around only to find Seth down on one knee.

Surprise!

The couple recently set their UC-themed wedding for June 22, 2013, exactly two years from the date Seth proposed, and the same day as his parents’ anniversary. They are as head over heels for UC as they are for each otehr that they even arranged for Lucy the Bearcat to make an appearance at their wedding. Leah also now serves as the official contributor for Proudly Cincinnati's UC-Inspired Weddings board on Pinterest to share her Red & Black-inspired wedding ideas with other Bearcat couples.

As for planning their future together, Seth says, “As a medical student, my life after school is determined by what residency program I match into. I would like to stay in the Midwest and specifically Ohio. Really, I'm just excited that Leah is willing to pick up and go wherever I go. She has been my main support through the last couple of years and I can't wait to start our life together, wherever that may be.”

The groom and bride spent
New Year's Eve together in Chicago.

Wherever their next landing, it seems UC will always hold a special place in the hearts of the young couple - especially considering their jam-packed commitment to UC as students. Leah, a social work major at the College of Allied Health Sciences, managed to juggle leadership positions in her sorority, Chi Omega, Student Government, Student Alumni Council, and Cincinnati Women In Excellence and Spirit Together (CWEST), among others. In between classroom and student organization life, she even found time to take a service trip to El Salvador and represent UC's School of Social Work on a state level by serving on several state committees through the National Association of Social Workers.

Seth, a Biology and Chemistry student at the McMicken College of Arts & Sciences, loved his undergraduate experience so much that he continued on to study at the College of Medicine. Even with a challenging academic program, he served as president of his fraternity, Sigma Chi, and student trustee on UC's Board of Trustees. He stayed involved with 11 other organizations across campus, spanning Men of METRO and Sigma Sigma to ROAR and the Student Activities Board (SAB).

“My involvement in Greek Life and Student Government really cemented my love for UC and provided me with numerous opportunities. I will always feel indebted to UC for allowing me such a-once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and it is my lifelong mission to give back in any way that I can.”

Always "Representing the C," Seth and
Leah sport their Metro and CWEST apparel

Both Seth and Leah continue to be involved as graduate students in the Cincinnatus Honorary Society Alumni Board and the UC Bicentennial Committee – The Best is Yet to Come.

Seth and Leah obviously embody what it means to be Proudly Cincinnati, and we wish them the best of luck as they embark on their new life together!

Did you marry a fellow Bearcat and theme your wedding Red & Black like Leah and Seth? Tell us all about it!

Campus Love Story: UC Helps 'Adopted Bearcats' Find Each Other

2012-02-09T16:30:00.000-05:00

Can a new couple call UC “our school” if neither of them went there as a student? The couple in question, Keith and Janet Stichtenoth, thinks so — and so does everyone who attended their recent wedding on the UC campus.

MainStreet proves a natural backdrop for any UC couple.

In the spring of 2009, Keith, who was the Associate Executive Director of the UC Alumni Association at the time and now works in communications for the UC Foundation, met Janet VanderHorst. Janet worked in the UC Bookstore in Tangeman University Center and now manages the UC Medical Bookstore in the CARE/Crawley Building.

Each had come from a previous marriage that had lasted a long time but eventually dissolved. Each had worked at UC for a number of years — just “a few football fields apart” and parking each day in adjacent garages — but they’d never met. And each felt that they might be ready for “the right person to come along” if middle-aged good fortune were to smile on them.

Well, smile it did. Their UC friends and colleagues were delighted to watch a romance grow over the months that followed, providing a refreshing contrast to the teens and 20-somethings who bustled and coupled around them. “We had lunches on MainStreet and went on dates to CCM concerts and Bearcats baseball, soccer, volleyball and football games,” Janet said. “We even co-chaperoned a student bus trip to New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl.”

When it came time to make it official and commit to a rest-of-a-lifetime together, they felt the wedding and reception had to be held on UC’s beautiful campus, and specifically inside the Myers Alumni Center where they had spent so much time together, even working side-by-side at the UC Alumni Association’s Bearcat Blitz pre-game football events.

Non-football Saturday? Not so fast...Nippert
Stadium hosted the "Wedding Bowl."

“Have you picked a date yet?!” people asked frequently after their November 2010 engagement announcement. And they would repeatedly answer, “Not yet. We have to wait for the 2011 football schedule to come out so we can pick a non-football Saturday in the fall.” When October 8 proved to be "The Day," friends and family gathered on campus, inside and outside the Myers Alumni Center, for a gorgeous autumn afternoon and evening.

“Coming to UC eight years ago put my life on a new, positive course in many ways, and the best of those turned out to be meeting Janet,” Keith said. “Lots of circumstances and plenty of people played a part in us finding each other here, but UC itself might have been the most important. We are proud and happy Bearcats together.”

Janet agrees. “I have loved being on a college campus, and working at UC had already changed my life. Then to meet Keith here, to fall in love here, and to get married here and celebrate our new life together with so many of our UC friends — we both feel incredibly lucky.”

Know any other "non-traditional" Bearcat couples this Valentine's Day? Tell us how their love for each other and UC unfolded!

Father, Son Alums Publish Motivational Book about "Going the Distance"

2012-02-07T16:24:00.000-05:00

How far are you willing to go for a loved one?

Sharing both the Bearcat and father/son bonds, UC alums Jim Serger Jr. and Sr. recently came together to answer this question on their own terms. The duo wrote and published their first book, Go the Distance, to share a redemptive personal story about the power of unconditional love through life’s greatest challenges.

For the Sergers, their greatest challenge – and the inspiration for their book – was Jim Senior’s battle with alcoholism. Despite the toll the disease took on the family, the Sergers came out of it stronger and with a personal testimony to the power of family commitment.

“The book is about highs and lows. It’s about being down in the valley and looking toward the tallest peak,” Jim Jr. said. “We wrote it to help others see that no matter how big the challenge, there are ways to survive the storm. Life gave us extra innings and we took advantage of them and we hope it’s an inspiration for anyone else facing the same family hardships we faced.”

Jim Jr. credits his UC experience for empowering him to overcome his family odds. “Once I graduated I was prepared to handle any obstacle. UC equipped me with the skills to handle the work place and anything life threw at me.”

Jim Jr. earned his degree from the McMicken College of Arts and Sciences in 1991. After graduating, he joined the U.S. Navy and was stationed aboard the USS Independence CV – 62. During his four year deployment in Yokosuka, Japan, Jim climbed Mount Fuji and backpacked throughout Asia. He currently serves as the plant manager at the Indianapolis Home City Ice.

His father, Jim Sr., was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies out of high school, but opted to play third base on UC’s baseball team. He graduated from University College in 1967. He raised his family in Anderson Township for 30 years. A youth baseball head coach for 14 years, Jim strengthened the bond between himself and his two sons through this shared love.

Let us know what’s inspired you to “go the distance” in your own life – this book, a friend’s advice, a UC professor or class?

Video courtesy of Cincinnati's Fox 19.com

Share the Love…Send a UC e-Valentine!

2012-01-31T16:20:00.000-05:00

This Valentine’s Day, forget the flowers and show that special someone just how much you appreciate them with a UC e-Valentine! Our new custom app gives you an all-new way to share your love for UC with the other Bearcat lovers in your life. Personalize and send a custom UC e-Valentine to a fellow alum, favorite professor, student, co-worker or that special someone and tell them just how much you love them (and UC too!).

In the spirit of showing the love, you can also make a gift from the heart to support UC’s top notch students, faculty, programs, research and more, giving everyone around you even more reasons to love UC, too. As always, your gift – no matter the amount – makes a huge difference! You might also consider making your gift securely on the UC Alumni Association’s Facebook page to take advantage of a limited-time promotion to receive an “I Love UC” button and long-sleeved T-shirt!

Still undecided? Watch this video to see all the awesome e-valentines you have to choose from and be sure to tell us below the #1 reason you love UC this V-Day! Thanks for sharing the love and Happy Valentine’s Day!

UC Students ‘Serve Beyond Cincinnati’ to Make World a Better Place

2012-01-20T17:40:00.000-05:00

Since 2007, UC’s Serve Beyond Cincinnati (SBC) organization has sent students around the world to improve the lives of others while enriching their own undergraduate experiences. Over December break, nearly 70 students paid it forward in Haiti, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and two U.S. locations – Americus, Ga. and Webster Parish, La.

When it comes to serving others, fourth-year Information Systems and Finance major at the Linder College of Business and Co-President of SBC, Lane Hart, said: “Paying it forward through volunteerism is one of the most rewarding and humbling experiences. I truly believe that by empowering others to help themselves, they will recognize the need to help others and the positive effect in our world will continue to multiply.”

Watch this video to see all the lives and places UC students touched during their winter travels and read more about each group’s accomplishments here. Be sure to comment below and share all the places you’ve traveled
with UC too!

Alumni Celebrate a Proudly Cincinnati Holiday with a Cherry on Top!

2012-01-12T17:54:00.000-05:00

The UC Alumni Association, in partnership with Graeter’s Ice Cream, treated UC alums from across the country to a familiar taste of Cincinnati this past holiday season. Alumni had the opportunity to submit their best UC-themed holiday photos onto UCAA's Facebook page, and by doing so were entered to win a six-pint supply of free Graeter’s Ice Cream!

There were more than 70 entries over the holidays, and because it was so deliriously difficult and painful for the Alumni Association staff to have to choose only 1 winner for each of the 6 categories, each contest participant was offered an I ♥ UC car window decal just for participating. Check out all the fantastic photo entries on Facebook here.

The Alumni Association wants to sincerely thank all who participated in this fun contest, and CONGRATS to the winners featured below!

Best Inclusion of Graeter’s
Arthur Wall and his family are really drooling over that Graeter's ice cream!

Best Dressed Baby
Baby Bearcat Maggie, submitted by Heather Borchers Rogers

Most Spirited UC Clan
Ed Paff Sr. and family.
This is just one of the many spirited photos Ed submitted.


Best Dressed Pet Kimberly Stone's cat Luna is a huge UC fan!

Best Dressed in Red & Black
Alison Petru Mendralski’s family of six UC graduates and five future Bearcats!

Most Multi-Generational Group
Elisabeth Mattingly Kuhlman's family has multiple Bearcats from
three generations! And check out the dogs' Bearcat spirit!

Ring in the New Year in Memphis with the Bearcats!

2011-12-28T17:14:00.001-05:00

Well, if you haven't already heard, more than 10,000 of the 12,000 Liberty Bowl tickets available to UC fans have been sold so far to faithful Bearcats alumni and friends. Suffice to say, a good portion of our loyal Bearcat Nation is headed to Memphis, Tennessee to overflow Beale Street with a sea of red and black this New Year's weekend!

If you've made your plans to head down to Memphis already, great! Your UC Alumni Association has reserved the only official Bearcats fan zone on Beale Street for you to enjoy the night before the game. Then on Saturday, December 31 the Bearcats take on the Commodores in the 53rd AutoZone Liberty Bowl!

So plan to arrive early to take advantage of special Bearcat discounts while you embrace all that Memphis has to offer!Here's a quick rundown of the weekend's official UC events for your reference:

Friday, December 30

Parade - 3:00 pm CT
Pep Rally - 5:00 pm CT
Party & Buffet - 6:00 pm CT
Gala - 7:00 pm CT

Saturday, December 31

Tailgate/Buffet - 11:00 am CT
Catwalk - 12:10 pm CT
Kickoff - 2:30 pm CT

Be sure to visit the official bowl section on the UC alumni website for full weekend details, maps and event registration information. And if you're at the events or the game, be sure to post your pics to the official UC Alumni Facebook page or mention @UofCincyAlumni on Twitter. Go Bearcats!

UC Alumni Association and Graeter's Ice Cream Hold Bearcat Photo Contest

2011-12-15T13:00:00.000-05:00

Your UC alumni family, in partnership with Graeter’s Ice Cream, presents the Season’s Greetings Holiday Photo Contest!

We want to treat you to a familiar taste of Cincinnati this holiday season no matter where you live, so we’re putting a new twist on the holiday family photo tradition. This year, give your holiday photo a UC theme and be entered to win a six-pint supply of free Graeter’s Ice Cream, shipped directly to your home anywhere in the continental US.

We’re awarding six grand prizes to the:

Most Spirited UC Clan
Best Dressed in Red & Black
Most Multi-Generational Group
Best Dressed Baby
Best Dressed Pet
Best Inclusion of Graeter’s

Participating is easy!

Snap a photo of you or your family all decked out in your holiday’s best red and black.
Post your photo to the UCAA Facebook page or email it to alumni.association@uc.edu by December 30th.
Check out our Facebook page on Tuesday, January 3rd at noon to see if you’re a winner!

Good News!
Can’t wait to see if you’re a winner? Graeter’s Ice Cream can now be found in grocery stores around the country, including a store near you.

Pin It

Service-Learning: Pioneering Educational Innovation While Strengthening the Community

2011-12-14T11:12:00.011-05:00

When College of Engineering Dean Herman Schneider proposed one of the first experiential learning programs – cooperative education – at UC in 1906, he had no idea that providing students with real-world job experience would become a national educational model. Today, cooperative education is available at thousands of colleges and universities around the globe.

Building on UC’s proud history as a leader in experiential learning, the Department of Professional Practice now offers students the opportunity to be part of the next innovative pedagogy combining education and workplace preparation – service-learning.

How does it work? Quite simply, service-learning combines the real world experience of cooperative education with a focus on serving local non-profit organizations, all within the framework of a class curriculum. Students have built websites, run public relations campaigns, created learning materials and much more.

Examples of previous service-learning clients include:

Food pantries;
Elementary, middle and high schools;
After-school programs;
Libraries;
Local, regional and national charities;
Clients within UC and other universities.

By serving these organizations, students gain perspective into a variety of careers while bolstering UC’s longstanding commitment to community engagement– a cornerstone of the UC2019> Strategic Plan.

Want to participate in service-learning? Simply visit the registrar’s website and look for classes that carry an SL designation in the course description. With more faculty and community partners connecting through the Center for Service-Learning website than ever before, there are options available to students in nearly all majors and disciplines.

Have you participated in service-learning? Weigh in below and tell us about it!

Watch UC Play Xavier in Crosstown Shooutout - Where YOU Are

2011-11-29T11:49:00.001-05:00

Photo: Cincinnati.com

On Saturday, Dec. 10, the University of Cincinnati Men's Basketball Team will play Xavier University in the Crosstown Shootout. If you won't be in town for the game, there's a good chance a group of UC alumni will be hosting a game watch nearby! Check out the list below to see where you can watch UC play Xavier. If your city is not featured below and you're interested in organizing a game-watch, please contact Sam Walston at the UC Alumni Association.

Boston
Chicago
ClevelandColumbus
Dallas/Fort Worth
Detriot
Indianapolis
Jacksonville
Las Vegas
Miami
Milwaukee
NYC
Raleigh-Durham
Richmond/Tidewater
Saint Louis
San Diego
San Francisco
Tampa
Twin Cities
Washington DC

CCM Alumna Plays Glinda the Good in Wicked

2011-11-22T15:00:00.000-05:00

Alumna Tiffany Haas in front of CCM's
Corbett Center for the Performing Arts in 2002.

With all the buzz around the hit Broadway musical “Wicked,” it’s definitely exciting to hear about a University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music alumna taking on one of the show’s biggest roles. During the show’s Pittsburgh run, Tiffany Haas bubbled up for the first time and assumed the role of Glinda the Good Witch, a character she had been studying ever since joining the cast as her understudy in 2010.

She was originally hired in 2005 to be a female vocal swing and understudy for the role of Nessrose, but, after two years, left to join the national tour of “The Drowsey Chaperone.” However, Tiffany couldn’t stop thinking about Glinda, a character she adored in her childhood obsession, “The Wizard of Oz.” "I felt like I could connect with the character," she said. "I understood where she was coming from."

In 2010, she rejoined the cast as the character’s understudy. "It was the same people in the room that were in the room in 2005 when I was hired as the swing," she Tiffany. "They have been through this journey with me. They kept me believing, pushing myself and challenging myself. I feel that I've come full circle."

UC Students Faculty and Staff Sing for Pennies

2011-11-22T11:00:00.005-05:00

Students, faculty and staff are warming up their vocals and selecting their songs for the first-ever Proudly Pennies Karaoke Night. Perform with fellow students and cheer on faculty and staff as they sing for Pennies Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011 from 4:30pm to 6:30pm in Alumni Hall of the Myers Alumni Center.

Performers include:

Alan Hagerty and Michael Linger
Nicole Mayo and Nicole Ausmer, PhD
Daniel Cummins
Yolanda Cooper
Michael Magazine and Edward Winkofsky with students Stephanie Kenning and John Lame
Jason Heikenfeld, PhD
Kathy Brown and Kurt Schellinger
Shintara Carpenter
Jane Sojka, PhD

A newly formed ensemble called Random Sample will also perform at the event. Random Sample includes the following UC faculty members: Erynn Casanova, PhD, Omotayo Banjo, PhD, Lattisha Bates, PhD, Danielle Bessett, PhD and Corinne Reczek, PhD.

Come and be serenaded by the great, and not-so-great, voices of UC while enjoying delicious appetizers and refreshing beverages. Cost is $10 for faculty, staff and friends and $5 for students. All contributions will count toward the 2011-2012 faculty/staff campaign and support Proudly Pennies, the SDC-led fundraising campaign to raise one billion pennies ($10 million) for UC. Register to attend.

Barefoot Runner Shares UC Experience

2011-11-19T11:00:00.001-05:00

Cincinnati Enquirer/Gary Landers

While attending the University of Cincinnati, my husband had the pleasure of running on the same track and field team as Alex Ramsey, one of the most insightful people you will ever meet. While you may not know him, you may remember Alex as the runner who completed the Flying Pig Marathon...barefoot.

I recently had a chance to catch up with Alex and he reflected on his UC experience. Alex, a 2009 graduate of the College of Business, currently lives in Haiku, Hawaii and he's still running barefoot!

What were some of the most memorable experiences you had at UC?
Skating around Clifton, competing against Ohio State, and interacting with different cultures all made my experience at UC memorable. I spent the majority of my collegiate life as an athlete. I was a part of a remarkable family of men and women who called themselves the UC Track & Field team. We traveled the country together, woke up for morning runs at 6:30 a.m., and slept on buses, all the while enjoying each other's quirky company.

How did UC transform your life?
Being around so many tremendous people who had aspirations for greatness really transformed me into a no-limit person. On campus, I could converse with a mechanical engineer, spit story with a graphic designer, or get inspiration from an opera student singing passionately as I walked past CCM. Those interactions were unique. Inside me grew a connection to these various souls. I take them with me wherever I go.

What makes you proud to be a graduate of UC?
My source of pride comes from being a member of a community that prizes education for the foundation of progress. With education we realize we have choices. No longer are we limited by our ego's definition of our worth. UC taught me that I can move freely through my dreams and not question whether or not I am living life right.

What have you been up to since graduation? Where are you living now?
I am on a mission to follow my love for learning. A quest of self-discovery. My passion in life is running, so that is what I have chosen to do. It has taken me all around the nation and currently to a remote island fortress in the southern Pacific. Some call the island Maui but I like to consider it a think tank to realize my wildest dreams. I have experienced success through applying the principles of manifestation. And know that this path, one less traveled, has been paved for me. I am here to surrender to something bigger than myself. Progress.

Anything else you would like to say about UC or experiences since graduation?
Campus is located in a nook of the city. It’s vibrant and full of life. I hope students continue to reinvent themselves. Question everything. And befriend experiences that they would not be exposed to anywhere else. I reflect on all the relationships that were formed during my college days and smile. Out there somewhere are these creative forces wreaking havoc on conventionality. Opening the boxes of innovation and giving their unique contributions. This life is about creation and UC embodies that.

Billy Martin, Brig Owens, UC President Broadcast LIVE from the US Capitol

2011-11-16T10:42:00.001-05:00

UC legend Brig Owens and famous DC attorney Billy Martin are speaking at the US Capitol this Thursday at 6:30 pm, and YOU can participate LIVE no matter “Where You Are!” (pun intended). The UC Foundation will be streaming this event live for UC alumni and donors who cannot physically attend. During the event you’ll be able to “share” the stream to invite your friends, post it to your Facebook, chat live, and tweet your thoughts both during and after the event. Hope you’ll join us! Watch it right here on this blog, on Facebook, the UCF website, or the Proudly Cincinnati livestream channel. Don't miss it!

Regional Network Scholarship Available to Incoming Freshmen

2011-11-11T14:00:00.007-05:00

Through the generous support of UC's alumni community, the UC Alumni Association awards more than $100,000 each year to approximately 65 exceptional UC students. Incoming UC freshmen from UCAA regional alumni networks are encouraged to apply for the Regional Alumni Network Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded on behalf of UCAA's 30-plus regional alumni scholarships to support local future Bearcats. To be eligible, applicants must be an incoming freshmen and have permanent residency in a participating UCAA regional alumni network. The application deadline is Jan. 9, 2012. Please pass this scholarship on to any incoming UC freshmen you may know in your region!

The UC Alumni Association also offers additional scholarship opportunities for current and incoming UC students and do not require students to be permanent residents of a participating UCAA regional alumni network.

UC Student Spends Senior Year in France

2011-11-09T11:00:00.000-05:00

University of Cincinnati photojournalist and French student, Dylan Vincent is doing something many students dream of - studying in France for his entire senior year! Dylan, a photojournalism and French major, is studying in Aix-en-Provence, France. This is the perfect opportunity for Dylan to combine both of his areas of study while traveling and studying the French culture.

l'Arc de triomphe du Carrousel, Paris France

While studying in France, Dylan has take a few trips throughout France. Before traveling to Aix-en-Provence, Dylan had the opportunity to explore Paris, France.

"The highlight was definitely stumbling upon la Joconde (Mona Lisa)," Dylan said. "It’s quite small in real life but it was just incredible to see it with my own eyes; not through a camera lens or on TV."

Hors du Musée d’histoire naturelle d’Aix-en-Provence

Following his excursion of Paris, Dylan took the train to the Aix-en-Provence, and was impressed when he finally reached the city.

"This city is absolutely gorgeous," Dylan exclaimed. "The city is so beautifully constructed and it’s one of those charming European cities that have lots of culture and excitement in the streets."

Most recently, Dylan took a trip to Nice, France over his fall break.

"Nice, like you would probably assume, is nice. It’s absolutely gorgeous and in my opinion, the epitome of the Côte d’Azur lifestyle," Dylan said. It’s right on the Mediterranean and the city itself is gorgeous. The weather was also amazing. If I were in Cincinnati right now, I’d probably be freezing and wearing layers."

Nice, France

Continue to follow Dylan's study abroad experience in France by reading his blog C'est chouette la vie (It's a great life).

The opinions expressed by featured persons, blog contributors, and comment providers on this blog are theirs alone and do not reflect the opinion or policy of the University of Cincinnati, the University of Cincinnati Foundation or the University of Cincinnati Alumni Association. Materials, stories, content and activities linked to from this blog (embedded or otherwise) are not endorsed by nor are the responsibility of UC, UCF or UCAA.

Bearcats Host Networking Events in California

2011-11-03T11:00:00.003-04:00

Last week, UC alumni gathered along the California coast – from San Diego to Berkeley – to network, talk about UC and get a taste-of-home from Skyine Chili and Graeter's ice cream. A few alumni spoke at the LA and Berkeley events while a CCM student talked about his internship experience with Fox Studios in LA. Alums also were brought up to speed on important UC news, campaign progress and the 1819 initiative. Alumni from all colleges and a wide range of classes – from the 1960s to 2000s – were in attendance. UC alumni association network leaders and members of the Proudly Cincinnati Campaign committees attended the events that were hosted at a range of venues, including a very hip bowling alley, an alum’s home, a Herman Miller showroom (where UC gets a lot of its building furniture) and a custom lighting shop (owned by two DAAP alumni.)

Stay connected with alumni in California or other places across the country by contacting your regional alumni network leader.

Tailgate with Fellow Alumni in Pittsburgh

2011-11-01T13:00:00.001-04:00

Are you making the trip to Pittsburgh Saturday to watch the Bearcats take down the Panthers? Join the UC Alumni Association and fellow UC alums for a special Bearcat Blitz in Pittsburgh. The pre-game event will held from 4:00-6:30 p.m. at McFadden's Pittsburgh, 211 North Shore Drive. The cost is $15 per person and includes a buffet and UC raffle for a chance to win a Coach Butch Jones-signed football!

UC is the first bowl-eligible Big East team, making the game against Pitt very important.

Register now and call 1-877-CATS-TIX to purchase tickets for the game!

UC's ambitions continue to draw attention

2011-10-28T16:44:00.000-04:00

The University of Cincinnati continues to turn heads with progressive goals and recent accomplishments. The university garnered some noteworthy attention this past week regarding university-wide goals and achievements including innovative ideas to stimulate economic development, President Williams' State of the University address, Dean Thomas Boat's vision for the College of Medicine and the continued excitement from UC Athletics including UC's win over USF and the hiring of a new athletic director.

Photo courtesy of the University of Cincinnati.

UC College of Engineering and Applied Science Dean Carlo Montemagno was featured in a Cincinnati Enquirer Article, "UC an engine for innovation." Dean Montemagno discussed the Entrepreneurial Innovation Center. According to the Enquirer, the innovation center will provide the college's 140 professors and 4,300 students access to workshops, mentors, lab space and an engineering accelerator program to help build and launch businesses. This entrepreneurial initiative will not only create high-tech, high paying jobs while driving economic development, it will create an opportunity for UC to develop products that could change the world.

Later in the week UC's President Gregory H. Williams gave the State of the University Address at the All-University Faculty Meeting where he discussed the university's big dreams and how these dreams are in UC's reach through UC2019. Based on President Williams speech, it is evident UC is on its way to being one of the best institutions in the nation. President Williams also pointed out three areas of opportunity that UC “must address if we want to achieve our aspirations of being one of the finest universities in the nation.” Those opportunities are:

National Academy membership,
industrial funding,
and the number of research/scholarship doctoral degrees awarded.

When President Williams discussed UC2019 he quoted Walt Disney saying, "If you can dream, you can do it."

Photo courtesy of the University of Cincinnati.

President Williams wasn't the only one talking about UC's ambitious dreams. UC's College of Medicine Dean Thomas Boat shared his vision for the college this week, which includes:

Making the UC College of Medicine the preferred destination in the Midwest for the best medical students, graduate students, residents and postdoctoral fellows.
Making UC Health the regional care center of choice for patients who require complex procedures.
Joining the University of Pittsburgh, the University of Michigan and Washington University in St. Louis as elite biomedical research institutions in the Midwest.

And how could we forget the beloved Bearcats. They broke into the Associated Press Top 25 this week with their victory over USF, bringing their record to 6-1. Following this win, UC announced the hiring of UC's new Athletic Director, Whit Babcock.

UC continues to make big things happen. What makes you proud to be a Bearcat?

UC Alum Brings Detroit Architecture Students to UC

2011-10-25T13:00:00.000-04:00

Professor Farlow gives
architecture tour of UC to students.

UC alum Mark Farlow came back to campus and brought his current architecture students with him on Oct. 9. Accompanying him was his colleague Karen Swanson. Both Professor Swanson and Professor Farlow teach at the University of Detroit Mercy, teaching for the Masters Studio at UDM in the architecture thesis year.

Farlow also teaches an advanced design studio to graduate students at Lawrence Technological University in Southfield, MI.

Professor Farlow organized the one-day field trip to include students from both architecture schools. The tour began with an early lunch at Clifton’s Skyline Chili. Then, UC Professor Terry Boling launched his campus walking tour starting at DAAP. The students marveled at the variety and richness of the architecture on the UC campus.

They toured the buildings designed by notable architects like Peter Eisenman, Michael Graves, Wes Jones, Bernard Tschumi, Frank Gehry, Gwathmey Siegel, Leers Weinzapfel, Morphosis, and I.M. Pei. The tour also included a visit downtown to see Fountain Square and the Contemporary Arts Center (designed by Zaha Hadid).

Both professors Farlow and Swanson believe that experiencing architecture is important - more so than seeing it in pictures or on the internet. The field trip was an essential learning opportunity for the 25 students who attended. Professor Farlow organized a similar field trip to UC last year for his LTU students so an encore performance was definitely needed.

You may recall that the weather that particular weekend was wonderful. The students all hope to return soon! Thanks to DAAP Professor Terry Boling for his informative tour.

Nominate an Outstanding UC Alum

2011-10-21T09:00:00.000-04:00

UC Alumni Awards

Is there an alum you know who has made significant achievements in their professional career, has been extensively involved in the university and the community or has demonstrated remarkable leadership abilities? Now is your chance to nominate them for a University of Cincinnati Alumni Award! Nominations will close January 31, 2012. Awards will be presented at the 2012 UC Distinguished Alumni Celebration on June 14, 2012.

“The Distinguished Alumni Celebration gives UC the opportunity to formally recognize our most outstanding alumni for their professional accomplishments and exceptional commitment to the university and in many cases, to the world,” said UC Alumni Association Executive Director, Myron Hughes. “Since 1956, the UCAA has extended awards to more than 130 alumni.”

Please consider nominating a fellow alum for one of the following awards:

The William Howard Taft Medal Award
This award is given to an alumnus of the University of Cincinnati solely on the basis of notable achievement in his or her field. The Taft Medal differs from the Alumni Distinguished Service Award in that it is not restricted to service to the university. The award is in honor and memory of Dr. William Howard Taft, LLB 1925, twenty-seventh president of the United States.

2011 UC Alumni Award Recipients (from left) Drew E. McKenzie,
Dr. P. Eric Abercrumbie, Dr. Marilyn A. Edmondson,
Richard G. Foley,David Watkins, and Dr. J. Richard Wuest

The Jeffrey Hurwitz Young Alumni Outstanding Achievement Award
This award is given to a UC graduate, 35 years of age or younger, on the basis of significant professional achievement in his or her field of endeavor, and continued service and involvement with the university and community. This award is in honor and memory of Jeffrey Hurwitz, BBA '72, MBA '73, former president of the UC Alumni Association.

Alumni Distinguished Service Award
Dedicated alumni who, through their service, make an outstanding contribution to their university are usually over-modest, always unpaid, and unthinking of reward. Nonetheless, recognition is important, for an action that begins by aiding the advancement of a university ends in the improvements of the social structure in which we live. The UC Alumni Association issues the Alumni Distinguished Service Awards to provide that recognition for those who have faithfully rendered outstanding service to the University of Cincinnati.

The UC Alumni Association Mosaic Award
The UC Alumni Association’s Mosaic Award is presented to an alumnus who has demonstrated leadership while enhancing our shared community through cultivating collaboration, fostering inclusiveness, championing the cause of the underrepresented, and promoting greater equity and opportunity for others.

Alum Sports UC Cycling Gear

2011-10-20T11:00:00.000-04:00

Jeff King, a 2000 UC graduate with a BS in Construction Management, recently participated in the Triple Bypass race - a one day, 120-mile bike ride from Bergen Park (Evergreen) to Avon, Colorado - while sporting his UC cycling jersey. Find out what Jeff had to say about the race and his UC experience!

What were some of the most memorable experiences you had at UC? What types of activities were you involved with at UC?

My most memorable experience while at UC would be meeting my lovely wife. I also had a very close circle of friends while at UC. I miss time spent with that special group of friends. I ran the 800 meters for the track & field team from 1994-99.

How did UC transform your life?

I was tripped and pushed off the track during a meet at Marshall. I was upset with getting
tripped and instead of finishing the race, I dropped out. Coach Schnier was not happy
with me after the race for not getting back on the track and finishing, “giving it the old
college try.” Two things I’ve always taken away from that race and Coach’s talk
afterward: First – finish what you started, and second – don’t put yourself in a position to fail, which was the whole reason I was tripped in the first place.

The most important thing that UC taught me was how to be a professional. The co-op
program UC has is top-notch. Getting out of the classroom and providing practical
experience is something that cannot be taken away when coming out of school. My
professors at OCAS always had time for me, whether it was a question about a subject, or
discussing future plans with my career.

What makes you proud to be a graduate of UC?

I am amazed at the number of people in Colorado that have ties to the university. When
I wear my Bearcat gear, I often have people comment on either graduating from UC or
being from Cincy.

Explain what you did after graduating from UC. What are you doing now?

After graduation, my wife and I spent five years in the Washington, D.C. area where I worked
as a Project Manager for a large commercial contractor. Currently, I am working as a
Project Manager for JE Dunn Construction in Denver, Colorado. My current project is
the new Encounter Africa Project at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs,
Colorado. Encounter Africa consists of a new elephant holding barn and exhibit space for the
elephants and lions at the zoo.

Talk about cycling a little. How did you transition from a track athlete to a cyclist?
Do you always wear your UC gear during races? What did the Triple Bypass
Cycling Challenge entail?

I have been a Type 1 Diabetic for almost 20 years so I try to stay as active as I possibly
can. I ran for many years and continue to do so, but took up cycling several years ago
when I was battling a lower back injury. It helps to live in Colorado which is very
bicycle friendly.

The Bearcat Jersey was a x-mas gift a year ago; I try to wear it on as many rides as I
possible can.

The Triple Bypass is a one day, 120-mile bike ride from Bergen Park (Evergreen) to
Avon, Colorado. The challenge includes riding over 3 mountain passes (Squaw Pass,
Loveland Pass and Vail Pass). It took me around 11 hours to complete. While riding I
had many compliments on my Bearcat jersey, including one from a fellow UC alumni.

UC Alumni Spotlight: Denny DeMoss

2011-10-18T11:00:00.000-04:00

University of Cincinnati engineering alumnus and Vice President and Project Director at Sargent & Lundy, Denny DeMoss, shared a story over the summer that changed my way of thinking. Denny told me about two experiences he had with salmon fishing. The first time he went fishing there were eight fishing lines tossed into the water, and by the end of the day three to four fish were caught. On Denny’s next salmon fishing trip there were 40 lines tossed into the water, and by the end of the day around two dozen fish were caught. What Denny told me next was that no one pole caught more than two fish, that with more fishing poles came more opportunity. On the first trip there were missed opportunities because there were less fishing poles.

This story provides a valuable lesson and also describes why Denny gives back to the University of Cincinnati. He wants every student to have opportunities and he’s helping to supply the poles. Denny has a joint scholarship with Tom Beringer, another UC graduate who is also a Chicagoan for Cincy. Although as Denny says, “It is not giving back but passing it along,” his story shows that donating to the University is the right thing to do.

Denny got his BSNE in Nuclear Engineering from the College of Engineering in 1977 from UC. Even though engineering is a demanding major, Denny still made time to spend Tuesday nights at his fraternity house Theta Chi, play intramural sports, participate in Homecoming, and most importantly, just hang out with his friends at the same Skyline on Clifton where the current undergraduate class still hangs out.

Denny’s advice to current undergraduates at UC is to “Dream a little bigger than you think.” He says although it is easy to stay where you are, one should explore a little more and learn to do new things. Taking advantage of new opportunities will help make you a well-rounded person.

Of course Denny sets the perfect example when he passes on what I thought was the most important advice: to do charitable things.

- Robert Fealy, BBA ’73
Chicago Campaign Committee Chair

Will you be there? Homecoming 2011

2011-10-13T11:47:00.000-04:00

One of the most anticipated weekends by UC alumni is almost here! Homecoming 2011 kicks off tomorrow, Oct. 14 with the traditional Homecoming parade from 7-8 p.m. along Calhoun St. and Clifton Ave. Following the parade, join fellow Bearcats fans at the Myers Alumni Center for the Cincinnati Favorites Pep Rally from 8-11 p.m. Enjoy your favorite Cincinnati cuisine while greeting Coach Jones, your favorite Bearcat football players, cheerleaders and the Bearcat mascot during the CATWALK.

The excitement continues Saturday, Oct. 15 as the Beacats team-up to take-on the Louisville Cardinals. If you haven't purchased your tickets, buy them here and help us turn the Cincinnati Riverfront Red and Black!

Don't forget to ''check-in' for the Homecoming 2011 Check-in Challenge for a chance to win awesome prizes! How does it work? Follow the UC Homecoming 2011 Check-In Challenge list on Fourqsuare on your mobile phone and complete two or more tasks in the challenge by "checking-in" to the places listed. Show your phone to a UC staff member at the 1819 table during the Pep Rally Friday, Oct. 14 and get a FREE UC water bottle, license plate frame or other sweet UC prizes! First-come, first-served!

Share your pictures and memories on the University of Cincinnati Alumni Association Facebook page and tweet them to @UofCincyAlumni with hashtag #UCHomecoming.

For more information about Homecoming events, visit the Homecoming website.

See you tomorrow! GO BEARCATS!!

UC Prof Uses Card Games to Solve Medical Challenges

2011-10-10T10:58:00.000-04:00

When it comes to solving healthcare challenges – diabetes, obesity, stroke – Professor Mary Beth Privitera feels that creativity holds the key. In fact, she’s so passionate about helping her students think outside the box that she created a card game that challenges them to develop creative solutions to medical problems.

Her approach was detailed in a recent article in the e-zine Soapbox Cincinnati. The associate professor of biomedical engineering has developed the puzzle/card game featured in the article as a way to spark creative thinking among her students.

The game puts students into teams of three to five, deals them a medical problem, then challenges them to develop a medical device to treat it. With game problems such as “a non-invasive knee replacement” and constraints defined as “all patients have an allergy to plastic,” players have to open their mind just to understand what exactly needs to be designed. Students work together to create the device, get it to market, navigate federal and international healthcare regulations and find ways to finance their projects. The process, Privitera argues, helps students move past the most obvious answer, and think outside the “triangle”.

“The Medical Device Innovation Program, with its clinical partnerships, allows for those creative and seemingly silly concepts to be fully explored in hopes to improve clinical care. Our culture of team building and collaboration across disciplines within the university safety net promotes risk taking and exploration beyond what you can do in industry,” says Privitera.

The game has already proven itself to be a hit. Several British universities have already shown interest in Professor Privitera’s methods, and a U.K. version of the game is being developed in partnership with Nottingham University. In addition, students used the game during the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) IdeaLab at Northwestern University this past June, a workshop that helps students better understand biomedical design through a series of case studies, creative experiences and intensive hands-on exercises.

There’s no telling where the game will go from here, but one thing is certain: Professor Privitera’s students are without a doubt more prepared to come up with creative solutions in the real-world. As the professor says in the Soapbox article, “Creative solutions are important in the real world for difficult-to-treat patients. If a treatment doesn't work well for a patient, and that's all a physician has, then you as a patient don't have the best possible outcome.”

That’s something we can all agree on!

UC Alums Help Construct Florida Atlantic University Football Stadium

2011-10-07T11:00:00.000-04:00

This past summer we caught up with two UC alums Sean Stichter, BS in Construction Management ‘03 and John Pearch, BS in Civil Engineering ’08, while they worked on the Florida Atlantic University Football Stadium. See what they had to say about their experiences at UC and how UC has helped them in their careers.

What were some of the most memorable experiences you had at UC?
Sean: UC’s win over Wisconsin (10th in the Nation at the time) in 1999 (we rushed the field and the goal posts came down); being part of Homecoming Committee and working to create a memorable Homecoming experience; attending Colin Powell’s on campus speech in 1998; and watching great UC basketball players such as Kenyon Martin, Danny Fortson, and many others. My friend and I attended almost every home game.

John: Serving as Chapter President for the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity; and viewing first-hand the transformation of the campus construction from endless rows of temporary chain-link fencing to the beautiful campus showcased today.

How did UC transform your life?

City Place Office Tower

Sean: UC not only gave me a top rate education, but helped to develop the life skills which have allowed me to be successful in business as well as in my home life. In addition the 6 quarters of co-op experience allowed me to hit the ground running after graduation and land a great job.

John: UC exposed me to the professional world through the co-operative learning program, including three separate projects with my current employer. It helped me to “get my foot in the door” during a time where competition for job placement was at its highest.

What makes you proud to be a graduate of UC?
Sean: Recruiting and talking with young talent coming out of the construction management and civil engineering programs every year.

(left to right) Sean Stichter, Jonathan Pearch,
Dr. Saad of UC, and Jeff Zebrasky UC co-op

John: I’m proud to be a Bearcat because of the weight that the degree carries in our profession. Due to the success of the co-op program, UC graduates are known for entering into the profession with more knowledge and understanding of the work tasks, thus exceeding employer expectations. I’m proud to carry on the tradition.

What did you do after graduation?
Sean: I was recruited by a prominent national Commercial Construction Management Firm (Centex Construction) directly out of college. The firm was primarily based in Florida and Texas but has since been acquired by and international firm (Balfour Beatty Construction). I’m currently working with the same company as a Project Manager managing the construction of the new Florida Atlantic University Football Stadium.
John: Following graduation, I moved to Orlando, Florida to participate with the construction management team in the construction of a $250 million expansion to the existing four-star Peabody Hotel. I am currently operating as a Project Engineer for the construction team building the new Florida Atlantic University football stadium.

What was your role in the Florida Atlantic University Football Stadium project? What was it like to work on the stadium?
Sean: I’m currently one of two Balfour Beatty Project Managers Assigned to the Project. Early in the conceptual phase of the project I helped with estimating the project cost, establishing budgets, and identifying savings opportunities. I joined the stadium project team about halfway through the construction process. This was due to the fact that I was managing the construction of a High School Football Stadium in Pompano Beach, Florida. Once I joined the Stadium team I took over management of the purchasing and buy out of the Commissary and Concessions package which was roughly 3 million dollars of addition scope. In addition I have taken on the responsibility of managing the completion of the exterior skin of the 6 story pressbox tower. My daily tasks include coordination of trade work, creation and issuance of contracts, creation and issuance of change orders, and Coordination with Owners & Architects.

John: My role for the project is to aid the project managers in specific scopes of construction including the site work, finishes, and miscellaneous metal work. It is my job to read and evaluate the contract drawings and specifications to ensure correct installation by my respective subcontractors whom I manage. Meanwhile, I also monitor progress of the work and any subcontractor cost impacts via changes to the drawings. The experience of working on the stadium can be defined as unique yet challenging. As a member of the construction team, you not only have to build as it is shown on the contract drawings, but also for the end user. In this case, the construction team communicates daily with the FAU athletic department, the coaching staff of the football team, the administration of the Sun Belt Conference, and broadcasting networks such as ESPN. Additionally, the project is defined as a “fast-track” project involving a start date and finish date for the 30,000 seat stadium only 12months apart.

Anything else you would like to highlight about your career or your relationship to UC?
Sean: Since graduating from the University of Cincinnati I have been involved in the construction the Port Everglades Security Upgrades Project, Palm Beach International Airport Terminal Expansions, Palm Beach Therapeutic Center and Special Olympics Gymnasium, City Place Office Tower, Blanche Ely High School Football Stadium, and the Florida Atlantic University Football Stadium. I’m constantly pushing to hire more UC co-op students and full time graduates. Over the past decade Balfour Beatty has had an successful history of employing UC graduates, and look to not only continue that relationship, but to strengthen it.

We recently hosted a representative of the University of Cincinnati Construction Management Program here in South Florida. During his visit he was able to review our operations, tour our jobsites, and see firsthand what the UC co-op students and graduates do. It was a great opportunity to strengthen our relationship with the University (see first picture).

John: My time spent at UC was unforgettable. I continue to be an advocate for the University for any young, uncertain minds that are wavering between selections for higher learning institutions. I inform them that they would be regretful for not putting UC at the top of the list.

From Co-op to Company President

2011-10-04T15:56:00.006-04:00

When cooperative education was created at the University of Cincinnati more than 100 years ago, it was based on the premise that gaining experience before graduation not only prepares students for success in the work force – it also provides an opportunity to impress a potential employer before ever hitting the job market.

College of Engineering alumnus John Miller is proof of cooperative education’s value, and is visiting UC this week to enlighten current students with insights into what it takes to be successful. Through hard work, study and determination, he was able to leverage a co-op assignment with the Standard Oil Company (SOHIO) into a 26-year career that saw him ascend company ranks from a co-op student to President, Chief Operating Officer and Director of the company.

Miller achieved a number of impressive milestones and earned numerous promotions along his way to the top. He served as Vice President of Finance during a critical time in the company’s history – when SOHIO was arranging for the extensive funding needed to develop its Alaskan crude oil reserves and pay for its share of the costs of constructing the Trans Alaska Pipeline. He later served as Vice President of Transportation when the pipeline and marine network associated with delivering Alaskan crude to market was being put into operation.

With his record of success in these capacities, he was elevated to Senior Vice President of Technology and Chemicals, a position he held until being elected President and COO of SOHIO in 1980. After leaving the company in 1986, Miller leveraged his business knowledge to found and lead TBN Holdings Inc. and Petroleum Partners, Inc.

Demonstrating a base of knowledge that goes far beyond petroleum, Miller also served as Director of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland for seven years, and was Chairman during the last two years of his term. Today, he is Chairman of the Board of Graphic Packaging Holding Company, an integrated provider of paperboard packaging solutions to multinational beverage and consumer products companies, as well as Cambrex Corporation, a supplier of goods and services to the life sciences industry.

Students who meet with Miller will undoubtedly gain a unique perspective on what it means to take advantage of opportunities presented to them through co-op and experiential learning. So what was the best piece of advice anyone gave you? What would you tell the students of today that you wish someone had told you? Comment below!

UC Grad Puts Cincinnati on Filmmaking Map

2011-09-28T20:00:00.001-04:00

Question: What do the University of Cincinnati, City of Cincinnati and a romantic comedy have in common?

Answer: Brad Wise, a 2002 graduate of UC’s DAAP graphic design program.

“I am a visual storyteller who relies on a team of people to accomplish a goal,” Brad noted in a recent interview with UC Where You Are. “I owe UC for giving me that foundation and teaching me how essential it is to have a relentless work ethic.”

That work ethic was put to the test recently, as Brad wrote his second feature film, the romantic comedy A Strange Brand of Happy. The film revolves around Joyce Heller, a single Christian life coach who falls for an agnostic client. Proving that life is never as simple as we’d like to make it, the film delves into such complicated topics as faith, hypocrisy, relationships and spiritual compatibility.

“Screenwriting is great if you're very comfortable rewriting,” Brad explained. “I started writing in January of 2009, and was still making changes to the script on-set. I can't tell you how many drafts I went through… dozens and dozens. I spent countless hours alone writing to Miles Davis and his contemporaries and then emerged to collaborate with a team of trusted readers and critics… only to go back to the drawing board with a glass of Cab and my friend Miles.”

The film wrapped production in early September after four weeks of shooting in Cincinnati, where Brad lives and works as the Creative Director of Vineyard Cincinnati. The film’s cast included Academy Award winner Shirley Jones (Elmer Gantry, The Partridge Family); Grammy Award winning, Rebecca St. James; comedian Marty Ingels; award winning producer/director, Joe Boyd; Joe Stevens (True Grit); Venida Evans (The Adjustment Bureau); and Ashley Palmer (Paranormal Activity). The process of editing the film and searching for distribution partners will take place over the course of the next several weeks, after which Brad will begin the writing process anew.

“I just have to decide which idea – there are about five! – I’m most passionate about right now,” he said.

Passion is a recurring theme in Brad’s life. He got his start in filmmaking after shooting a documentary and a short film at Vineyard Cincinnati in 2008. “We discovered we had a community of people passionate about telling stories together.”

Further experiments in screenwriting, producing, directing and even acting followed… though perhaps Brad’s most awe-inspiring role to-date is that of father. He and his wife had their first child in July, a son named Henry, shortly before filming A Strange Brand of Happy.

As for his current project, he hopes a little of his own passion for self-discovery will rub off on viewers.

“I hope this film starts conversations among friends about their life passions and purposes,” Brad says. “I believe people can change the world (and have fun while they're at it) when operating out of their passion.”

If Brad’s career trajectory is any indication, we think he’s hit the nail on the head.

President Williams Talks about Life on the Color Line

2011-09-22T16:30:00.000-04:00

After moving to Cleveland recently with my husband, I was ecstatic to find out that UC President, Gregory H. Williams was planning to meet with UC alumni living in the Cleveland area.

On Thursday, Sept 8, President Williams met with a small group of alumni in downtown Cleveland. While attending the reception, my husband and I met so many fascinating UC alums. For the two hours we attended the event, we felt as if we were back in Cincinnati again. We had a chance to talk about the progress UC is making in a variety of ways. President Williams discussed his strategic plan for the University.

President Williams, me, Antione Drakeford,
UC Foundation President Mike Carroll

UC alumni at Cleveland reception

On Friday, there was a separate event at The City Club of Cleveland. President Williams talked about his book, Life on the Color Line: The True Story of a White Boy Who Discovered He was Black, and his perspective as an African American. In case you are not aware, President Williams is biracial and he grew up thinking he was white until he was ten. His life drastically changed once he found out his grandmother was black. His mother left his father during this time, and his family lost everything. As one can imagine, growing up as a biracial child during the Jim Crow era made his life extremely difficult.

Listening to President Williams talk about the troubles he has endured throughout his life was empowering. He discussed the current state of race relations in the United States today, and while the President of the United States is African American, he explained we still are striving towards Martin Luther King, Jr.'s dream.

UC alumni with President Williams

"The dream still lives," President Williams said. "And in my view, it is up to each one of us to keep it alive and keep it real."

Watch President Williams' speech at The City Club of Cleveland by clicking on the YouTube video above. Have you read President Williams' book? What are your thoughts?

UC alumni share favorite 1970s memories

2011-09-20T13:00:00.002-04:00

From water balloon fights, to insightful words of wisdom from UC deans, to meeting spouses at UC, several UC alums recently shared their favorite memories from the 1970s.

Do you want to reminisce about your favorite UC memories from the 1970s? Join us for the 1970s Reunion on Saturday, Sept. 24 at the University of Cincinnati. Graduation is not a requirement to attend.

Can't attend? Let us know what your favorite memories are below!

Developed vs. Developing

2011-09-19T08:45:00.000-04:00

If you ask Robert Herbold, it’s easy to see which country – the U.S. or China – is developed, and which one is still developing.

In a recent editorial in the Wall Street Journal, Herbold noted that

“Recently I flew from Los Angeles to China to attend a corporate board-of-directors meeting in Shanghai, as well as customer and government visits there and in Beijing. After the trip was over, in thinking about the United States and China, it was not clear to me which is the developed, and which is the developing, country.”

So begins a guest editorial by Robert Herbold, a graduate of the University of Cincinnati. The retired chief operating officer of Microsoft and current managing director of the Herbold Group, LLC, makes the case that China is one-upping the U.S., thanks to the country’s commitment to infrastructure, strong government leadership and an aggressive five year plan that seeks to improve innovation, the country’s environmental footprint and jobs creation.

Furthermore, Herbold argues, politicians and voters alike must, “snap to and realize they are getting beaten,” by polarizing issues and government red tape.

You can read the entire editorial here.

As an institution dedicated to the pursuit of academics and learning, we must pose the same question Herbold asked in his editorial: Is the U.S. being passed by because it is developed, instead of developing? And if so, as Herbold asks, “Why is this occurring and what should the U.S. do?”

Make your points in the comments below.

Reconnect at 1970s Reunion

2011-09-17T06:09:00.002-04:00

Did you attend the University of Cincinnati during the 1970s? Are you wondering what your classmates, sorority sisters, teammates, college sweethearts and friends are up to now? Well you're in luck! Join us for the first-ever 1970s Reunion: Back to the Bridge, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 on UC's Uptown Campus.

Celebrate your days at UC and reconnect with fellow alumni starting at 4:00 p.m. on Sigma Sigma Commons. Check out the latest updates to UC's campus on a campus tour, then meet and greet your long lost comrades from 5:00-7:00 p.m., and then dance the night away to a dose of 70s hits from local band, The Remains!

If you plan on attending, please register for the reunion. For more information, visit the 1970s Reunion page.

Taking Online Learning to a Fun New Level

2011-09-16T09:00:00.005-04:00

A great way to learn, while having fun.

That’s the motto of Clever Crazes for Kids, an online educational tool for students grades K-8 with strong ties to the University of Cincinnati. Founded by UC alumnae Dianne Dunkelman, the site was designed as an asset for educators, parents and guardians to boost academics and build strong minds, core ethics and healthy bodies for kids and their families.

The success of Clever Crazes revolves around the program’s ability to engage kids in learning about Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) principles are integrated into everyday lives… and how these educational basics are connected to healthy individuals, healthy relationships and a healthy planet. The program’s curriculum revolves around nine areas of academic focus, called, “worlds,” that teaches kids how STEM principles through a series of fun, interactive online games and quizzes. There is even a physical fitness component, which teaches kids about nutrition and exercise. Each curriculum can be taught as an after-school activity or as a supplement to classroom-based lesson plans.

For example, in the “You and How Things Work” curriculum, students are introduced to physics, chemistry and associated topics including heat, light, and sound, as well as electricity and magnetism. Students can begin by learning a few key facts from the lesson plan, or they can just right into an interactive game that quizzes their understanding of scientific principles. As students answer questions correctly, they earn points… which may eventually help their school win a bevy of prizes.

But it’s not just the kids who are having a ball online. Parents and teachers are getting in on the action, too, with specific portals designed just for their use. Teachers can even earn graduate credit from the University of Cincinnati or certifications required for professional development credit at their schools.

Dunkelman originally launched Clever Crazes in 2006, after becoming alarmed at the increasing prevalence of childhood obesity. The original program focused on reducing the incidence of overweight and obesity in young populations… reaching children in grades K-6, as well as teachers, parents and caregivers. This education effort, which has grown from the distribution of approximately 40,000 educational supplements in 2006 to more than 1.2 million supplements in 2011 – includes information on nutrition, physical activity, self-esteem and respect for the environment.

In 2009, after focus groups with educational professionals indicated the need to boost the academics of elementary and middle school aged kids, Dunkelman expanded Clever Crazes to include supplemental learning materials that focused on the STEM disciplines. The current iteration of Clever Crazes, Version 3.0, expands the program into the world of online learning, with a safe gaming twist.

If you’re interested in learning more about how Clever Crazes could help your child or their school, check out the curriculum at www.clevercrazes.com or visit the program’s Facebook page.

UC Alum Blake Layda Reminisces About UC/Cincinnati Favorites

2011-09-14T11:00:00.010-04:00

First you boil Kraft Mac & Cheese noodles, then heat a can of Skyline Chili, and mix them together. This is called “Skyline Mac & Cheese,” a recipe UC Alum Blake Layda created to remind himself of Cincinnati. Using Blake’s recipe to make Skyline Mac & Cheese has us thinking Blake could have a second career in the culinary arts if he ever gets bored as a Managing Director at Jones Lang LaSalle.

Blake, who graduated from the College of Engineering in 1999, rates his Law for Engineering class as the most interesting and relevant class he attended with respect to his career today. Not all classes were as interesting as Law for Engineering - he recalls his engineering math classes being extremely difficult, and his Differential Equations class being the hardest of them all.

Blake graduated with a BSCE in Civil Engineering and also swam competitively on the UC Swim & Dive Team, waking up early to swim in Laurence Hall, where the pool was located before the Recreation Center was built. He left his legacy at UC by holding the 50-yard freestyle record for over 10 years after graduation. Currently, Blake holds records in the top 10 spots of six different swimming events.

Between studying and swimming, Blake managed to form a group of close friends who stay connected by attending the same Bearcat football game every fall. Before the game, they walk the campus and admire the transformations since they attended UC in the late ‘90s.

Blake and his former roommate, John Wagner, recently made a joint endowment gift that is unique in that it benefits both CEAS and the UC Swim Team. Blake says he donates from a sense of loyalty to UC. His advice to current students is to enjoy college, balance a “social and scholastic life” and build networks. Blake believes college is a place where a person grows the most.

Blake’s Cincinnati Picks

Gold Star or Skyline Chili
Graeter’s or United Dairy Farmers ice cream
Taco Bell or White Castle
Frisch’s or Pomodori’s
Adriatico’s Pizza or LaRosa’s Pizzeria
Cactus Pear or Uno
Inn the Wood or Uncle Woody’s

Impacting Education

2011-09-10T11:00:00.005-04:00

With school districts throughout Ohio and the entire country facing challenges from budget constraints to deteriorating facilities to lacking math and science curricula, it’s nice to hear about the educators who are making progress in spite of these obstacles. Garrett Carter is one such educator. A Darwin T. Turner Scholar and '06 graduate of the College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services with a criminal justice degree, Garrett’s career in education began as a substitute teacher.

“After accepting a long-term substitute teaching position, I knew I was meant to be an educator.”

Garrett applied to UC once again to obtain a Masters in Education. He is now in his third year of teaching middle school language arts at Northmont Middle School in Clayton, OH in a district rated Excellent with Distinction, the top rating a school in Ohio can achieve.

While some people believe teachers vacation all summer, Garrett traded “down-time” for the pursuit of publishing a book: Not an Oxymoron: Standards-Based Fun in the Classroom! 30 Projects and Activities for Middle School Language Arts.

“What excites me the most about releasing this book, are all of the students around the country who will benefit from these standards-based, meaningful, relevant, engaging, and FUN projects and activities!”

Garrett is an active alumnus and donor. “I'm not rich," he says, "but I do what I can!”

We’re thrilled to have Garrett representing the thousands of UC alumni making a huge impact in the community.

TGFF -- Thank Goodness For Football

2011-09-09T15:21:00.000-04:00

Bearcat fans were so excited to kick off the 2011 football season, almost nothing could keep them away from Clifton to support the team – not even a record-breaking heat wave.

Fans came out in force to watch the ‘Cats cruise to a 72-10 victory over Austin Peay State on Saturday, September 3, even though the daytime high reached 100 degrees and shade was a precious commodity.

The UC Alumni Association’s Bearcat Blitz was packed with sun shelters and tents, as was the brand new Bearcat Tailgate Grid on Sigma Sigma Commons.

The enthusiasm for the new year was palpable, but perhaps the best showing of support came as the team made its way to the stadium on the CatWalk. The players and coaches were thrilled to see such a strong show of support, and some people had to stand on nearby tables just to get a view of the action.

The Bearcat even got a few extra cheers of support considering how hot it must have been in the bodysuit!

Here’s to hoping this victory was a sign of things to come this season. Make sure to join the party on September 17 as the Bearcats host Akron at Nippert Stadium!

UC Pride, even in the loo

2011-09-06T11:00:00.001-04:00

We've seen numerous basements, offices, and family rooms adorned in red and black, but never a bathroom. UC student Chris Trimbach ('12) recently tweeted @proudlycincy photos of his parents' (Michael, '83 and Eileen, '86) red and black bathroom that looks more like a mini Bearcat museum. The bathroom has been work in progress for about 5 years, and has a ticket from every UC football bowl game since the Humanitarian Bowl. It even includes a signed Big O jersey and a ticket from the first game played at the Shoemaker Center! These are true diehard Bearcats fans!

Do you have a room in your house decorated in Red and Black from the floor to the ceiling? Can you top the Trimbach's Bearcat bathroom?

Training for a Marathon? UC alum has tips for you!

2011-09-02T10:00:00.049-04:00

David with poster of his book

If you have ever considered training for a marathon, you may want to pick up UC alumnus David Levine's book: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Marathon Training! He also gave us some great insight about his experiences at UC and what he has learned since he graduated.

When did you graduate from UC and what was your major?
1980, with a major in Political Science.

What were some of the most memorable experiences you had at UC?
Way too many to write, and possibly some things would be inappropriate to mention. I guess you could say, I grew up a lot at UC. I do remember a housemate, Reid Horowitz, giving me a book on running in 1977. He said, “I don’t know why I’m giving this to you, but I sense it will help you somehow.” Well, since my first book is on running, I guess it helped - and I still have that book.

How did UC transform your life?
In several ways, but possibly the most important, I learned to question why.

What makes you proud to be a graduate of UC? Why are you Proudly Cincinnati?
UC was the first time in my life where I found I loved learning. I learned a lot there. Sparks began at UC, which later turned to flames.

Explain what you did after graduating from UC. What are you doing now?
Writing has always been a big part of my life, since UC. Just after graduation, I wrote for a local paper; did PR for a theater; covered stories for a magazine, and moved to Los Angeles. I was even an assistant to an Academy Award-winning writer at one time. I spent a lot of my time working at studios, and after 13 years, I still work at Sony Studio, on the old MGM lot. I stopped writing for a while, and took up endurance athletics - I wanted to see the ocean and get outside. Well, here I am writing again. I have a few other articles which I already wrote as well.

David after an Ironman race

What have been your biggest accomplishments in your career?
The book was a good one; winning a huge theater acting award; completing Ironman races are exciting; and I have loved helping people achieve dreams and get faster, as a coach. However, I sense that the definition of being young at heart is when you feel as if you haven’t really achieved much, and have a world of accomplishments yet unturned. That would be me.

How did you decide to write your book about marathon training? How long did it take you to finish your book?
I have long been frustrated with the ineffective methods which most non-pro, adult athletes use to train for endurance running events. A friend e-mailed me that a publisher was looking for writers for a book on marathon training. I had her submit a writing sample of mine, and boom, we were in. Our deadline was six months, and that was about how long it took to finish everything.

How does it feel to have a book that is selling nationally?
I’m not sure. I’ve done a few lectures, but I do that sort of thing anyway. You know, I had this idea that one day I would walk into a huge bookstore and find someone glancing at my book. Shuffling over to that person, I would mutter, “Great book,” and then calmly walk away. So I one day I saw this enormous bookstore closing forever. Sad, but great discounts and I remembered this nutty idea. When I walked through the doors, I found most of the shelves to be empty, and if they ever had my book, there was no sign of it anywhere. So I never had the experience of receiving much recognition as an author. On the other hand, it is a new world. Nearly all of the books I have purchased lately have been online and I seem to have received some amazing reviews on Amazon.com.

Anything else you would like to highlight about your career or your relationship to UC?
I miss those days at UC. Don’t get me wrong, life gets better, if you remain positive. However, having time to simply learn, and nothing else, would be something I would now absolutely cherish. In fact, I’m toying with the idea of going back for a master's, if I can figure out where to find the time. Creating time to learn is something we adults place far too little emphasis on.

Watch UC Football with Alums in D.C.

2011-08-31T14:00:00.033-04:00

Penn Quarter Sports Tavern
Photo credit: www.dckickball.org

Calling all UC alumni living in Washington, D.C.! Join fellow Bearcats at the Penn Quarter Sports Tavern to watch each UC football game this season. The Tavern is now the "official" UC alumni spot in D.C.

Penn Quarter Sports Tavern will hang the UC flag outside/inside the bar, offer drink/appetizer specials, and give UC alumni their very own space on the 2nd floor to watch the games. And for every UC alum you bring with you to the Tavern, you'll get a raffle ticket to win a UC-related prize! Many thanks Penn Quarter for their support of UC Alumni in D.C.!

Join us this Saturday, Sept. 3 to watch the Bearcats take on Austin Peay at 7 p.m.!

Summer Send-Off Welcomes Newest Central Ohio Bearcats

2011-08-31T10:00:00.000-04:00

Increasing numbers of Columbus high school grads are heading down I-71 to Cincinnati for a great college education. Many members of the newest class recently participated in the largest UC Summer Sendoff ever in Central Ohio.

The August 24 Summer Send-off brought together 130 incoming freshmen and parents from the Columbus area, joining about 15 Central Ohio alumni who formally welcomed them to the UC family just weeks before their official campus move-in. The event was held at the Dublin headquarters of Ashland, Inc.

Besides greeting old and new friends among their Columbus-area peers, students and parents heard from UC Alumni Association Executive Director Myron Hughes, Proudly Cincinnati Columbus Campaign members Scott Simmers and Bob Mayer, and current UC Student Body Vice President Michael Linger. The common message: You made a great college choice, there’s a long and strong connection between UC and Central Ohio, and we’re thrilled to welcome you to the Bearcat family.

Pizza and ice cream was followed by a raffle, where four lucky freshmen won $250 gift cards to the UC Bookstores and another received a UC hat signed by Football Coach Butch Jones.

About 6,000 alumni live and work in Central Ohio, making it one of the largest concentrations of Bearcats anywhere outside of Cincinnati. The regional alumni network is one of the UC Alumni Association’s most active in the U.S.

President Williams Speaks in Cleveland Next Month

2011-08-26T10:00:00.004-04:00

Before being named President of the University of Cincinnati in 2009, many people first learned about Gregory H. Williams by reading his gripping memoir, Life on the Color Line: The True Story of a White Boy Who Discovered He Was Black. Because of his unique perspective and powerful life story, President Williams has been invited to the City Club of Cleveland to participate in a Friday Forum on Post-Racial America, which takes place Friday, September 9 at noon.

From the event website: The election of President Obama in 2008 led many to ask if America had finally transcended its racial divisions. The term “post-racial” emerged – suggesting our nation had become color-blind. University of Cincinnati President Gregory H. Williams, the author of a best-selling and award-winning memoir, Life on the Color Line: The True Story of a White Boy Who Discovered He Was Black, will examine these issues through the eyes of someone who has often found himself in the middle. President Williams grew up until the age of 10 believing he was white. After the revelation that his father was half black, he began a remarkable journey along the color line that opened his eyes to the reality of racism, poverty, repression and struggle in 1950s and ’60s America.

The event is open to the public and tickets can be purchased by clicking here or by calling 216-621-0085. For more information, visit the City Club of Cleveland’s website by following this link. The event is part of the 2011 KeyBank Diversity Thought Leadership Series.

Limited tickets are available, so make your reservations now and be there for a memorable discussion!

Chicagoans for Cincy Support UC's College of Engineering and Applied Science

2011-08-25T18:00:00.009-04:00

Artist Rendition of Learning Center Coffee-Cafe

Approximately 300 miles from their alma mater, at the W Hotel in downtown Chicago, a group of UC alumni and supporters gathered for breakfast at the Wave restaurant. This group of alumni along with the Dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Science (CEAS), Carlo Montemagno, his wife Pam, and Senior Director of Development at CEAS, John Lagow, discussed the Proudly Cincinnati campaign for the college. The alumni in attendance at the breakfast were Denny DeMoss (’77), Bob Fealy (’73), Blake Layda (’99), Chris Mekus (’72), Spes Mekus (’72), and Bob Schneider (’70).

Artist Rendition of Learning Center Mainstreet Corridor

Dean Montemagno reported that CEAS has helped raise close to $23 million since the launch of Proudly Cincinnati. Two priorities of CEAS are building a Learning Center and creating an Honors X Engineering Program. The new Learning Center will be located on the eighth floor of Rhodes Hall. It will include two reconfigurable classrooms, three “project” rooms, space for small group and individual study, space for tutoring and advising, faculty offices, entry lobby, info center, and a coffee bar. The Honors X Engineering Program will have an accelerated curriculum and enhanced co-op experience, allowing high caliber students to graduate in four years, instead of five.

Artist Rendition of Learning Center 8th Floor Plan

Chicagoans for Cincy! leader, Bob Fealy has been instrumental in raising $6.9 million toward the $10 million goal; $1.8 million has been raised specifically for CEAS with a college goal of $2.75 million. Bob’s generous support and leadership has encouraged other UC grads to join his mission of supporting current and future UC students.

Sharing Bob’s passion to give back to the college is Denny DeMoss, who received a BSNE in Nuclear Engineering, and subsequently an MS degree from the University of Illinois. While Denny was an undergraduate, he co-oped with Sargent & Lundy, where he is currently Senior Vice President and Project Director. Denny, along with another Chicago UC alum, Tom Behringer, set up a Sargent & Lundy Scholarship fund for UC Engineering students.

Blake Layda, present at the breakfast and a member of Chicagoans for Cincy!, has generously created an endowment fund with his college roommate, John Wagner. Blake graduated with a BSCE in Civil Engineering from UC, where he participated in co-op and was a competitive swimmer. Blake presently is Vice President and National Director of Commercial Real Estate at Jones Lang LaSalle.

Chris and Spes Mekus are co-owners and Managing Principals of Mekus Tanager, Inc., and have been supporters of UC for over 20 years. Even though they are both graduates of DAAP, Chris with a BArc in Architecture, and Spes with a BSDe in Interior Design, they are on the CEAS Advisory Council and are supporters of CEAS.

Bob Schneider was also in attendance for the breakfast. Bob graduated from the College of Engineering with a BSME in Mechanical Engineering and then went on to earn a JD in Law. He and his wife Janice, also a UC graduate, now live in Chicago where Bob is a trial lawyer, partner, and head of the Intellectual Property Department of Chapman and Cutler LLP.

Check out more opportunities to support CEAS and participate in Chicagoans for Cincy!

The Path Not Traveled

2011-08-25T10:19:00.000-04:00

Phil Kanet, University of Cincinnati Alum and University of Cincinnati Foundation Director of Communication, recently reflected on his life and experiences at UC.

A recent birthday found me reflecting on where things stand in my life – career, family, etc. All those questions about where the 35-year-old me stacks up against what the 20-year-old me figured I would be doing and even what the world looked like then versus now.

At some point along that stream of contemplation, I remembered a very specific piece of career advice that one of my professors at UC divvied out. It was my senior year and I had a healthy amount of electives to fill out my graduation credit requirements. The topic of copyright law came up, specifically as it related to the music industry that was just starting to see the effects of file sharing, streaming and online piracy. His advice envisioned the future of music in holograms --- that is, multi-dimensional performances right in the comfort of one’s living room. See also Star Wars or Trek.

His specific advice? “If you’re currently sitting there wondering what to do with your career, go to law school and specialize in hologram copyright law – you’ll make a ton of money!” While I otherwise have enormous respect for this professor (who shall remain nameless) and must acknowledge that we do live in a world where 3-D televisions for the home are only a trip to Best Buy away – I think it’s safe to assume this professor’s last name wasn’t Nostradamus.

Sure, it’s human nature to wish we would have taken a few different steps along the way. But at least I didn’t latch on to that advice and incur the expense of a law degree only to sit here 15 years later and wonder why I’m not sitting on a pot of gold via trekky projections of Lady GaGa falling off her piano or Caleb Followill melting down.

Can anyone else top this tale of misinformed career advice? What about the opposite? Did you have a professor give you spot-on career advice you wish you would have followed in hindsight?

Chicago Hosts Summer Send-Off Events

2011-08-17T12:00:00.003-04:00

Going to a college over five hours away can be scary for an 18-year olds who has never had to live on their own. This is why a Summer Send-Off event is held every year, so incoming UC students from the Chicago area can meet one another before fall classes start. In a school of over 41,000 students it is nice to know a familiar face.

This year there were two Summer Send Off events held. The events were the same, just at two different places and two different times, so incoming students from the Chicago area and their parents had the best chance of attending. The first gathering was held on Thursday, July 28 at the home of UC alumnus Jeff Hopkins. The second was Saturday, July 30, at the home of Bob and Kathleen Kaska (Kathleen and her daughter are UC alumni and her son is a current student at UC).

The gatherings were not only a chance for incoming students and parents to meet other families, they also helped the students learn a little about what to expect when they get to Cincinnati. They were able to talk to alumni and current students as well as feast on Graeter’s Ice Cream, from the famous Cincinnati establishment. There was also a raffle held for the incoming students where a few lucky winners walked away with UC Bookstore Gift Certificates and other great prizes.

Chicago is a hidden jewel when it comes to UC supporters who take care of their own, and organizing this Summer Send Off event is a great example. There are over 4,000 UC alumni in the Chicago area, yet fewer than 20 students from the Chicago area will be freshmen at the University of Cincinnati. Congratulations to the incoming class of 2011; the next few years will be ones that you never forget!

UC Alum Finds Home (Away From Home) With Chicago Cubs

2011-08-12T08:00:00.001-04:00

Inspirational. Awe-inspiring. Storybook. Those are just some of the words one might use to describe UC alum and Bearcat baseball standout Tony Campana’s rise to the big leagues. But even those lofty adjectives may not fully do his story justice.

Growing up in Kettering, Ohio, near Dayton, Tony was like any other kid. He loved sports, especially baseball, and frequented Reds games at Riverfront Stadium with his family (though he was a Cleveland Indians fan at heart). But at the young age of 7, Tony was dealt a curve ball – when he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

The chilling diagnosis required immediate surgery to remove a tumor, followed by eight months of intense chemotherapy. Campana has said that he sometimes pulled out clumps of hair to entertain friends and really had no idea how dire the situation was. But thankfully, after ten years of checkups and tests, doctors were confident the disease was in remission and considered him fully cured.

Tony stands at second base after his
first major league hit against the
Reds at Great American Ball Park.

That wasn’t the only hurdle Tony had to overcome on his way to the top. His small, wiry frame and focus on speed and defense was a stark contrast to the trend in the big leagues – as sluggers like Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa and Barry Bonds re-wrote the record books and fed fans’ love of the longball.

In fact, Tony’s high school coach wasn’t sure he would land on a college team; but he ended up finding a home down the road at the University of Cincinnati. During his time as a Bearcat, Tony honed his game and demonstrated the value of speed and strong defense, breaking UC’s all-time single-season record for stolen bases with 70 in 2007 and establishing a new record for career steals with 104.

He was a BIG EAST first team selection during his senior season in 2008 and showed enough promise to be drafted by the Chicago Cubs. After playing in the minor leagues for nearly four years, Tony got the call all minor leaguers dream of: he was finally going to play for the Cubs, and even better, he was going to make his Major League debut against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park.

Campana is congratulated by
teammates after getting his first
career home run.

Tony had his own fan club amassed behind the Cubs’ dugout that night, and was even picked up from the airport by his mother. He also had to turn off his cell phone because he was getting so many calls wishing him good luck.

After entering the game as a pinch runner in the 7th, Tony stepped up to the plate in the 8th inning. Though he thought he’d be nervous, he locked in and smashed an RBI-double for his first major league hit, putting the Cubs ahead in the game and sending his fan section into hysterics.

Even though the Cubs ended up losing the game, Tony had a moment he’ll never forget. And Tony has since gotten revenge on the Reds, roping a line-drive to the wall in Wrigley Field that turned out to be his first Major League home run – inside-the-park of course – and the difference in the game as the Cubs beat the Reds 4-3 on August 5.

So even though many Reds fans consider it treason to root for the Cubs (they are in the same division after all), don’t be surprised to see more Cubs jerseys around Cincinnati as Campana continues to defy the odds and establish himself as a rising star. And hopefully, UC alumni in Chicago will cheer extra loud for a fellow alum whose grit, determination and perseverance makes us all Proudly Cincinnati.

Ohio Networking for Bay Area Bearcats

2011-08-09T17:01:00.000-04:00

Pete's Tavern

Younger alumni who live far away from Cincinnati generally want two things from their UC alumni experience: 1) Stay connected with the university in some way, and 2) Network with each other for personal and professional reasons. Events that meet both goals are a home run — even if they take place beside the ballpark instead of inside it.

The UC Alumni Association co-organized an Ohio college networking event and Happy Hour for YPs on July 28 in San Francisco. About 35 Bay Area alumni from UC, Dayton, Miami and Xavier attended and had a great time. The location was a place called Pete’s, which is literally across the street from AT&T Park, the San Francisco Giants’ home stadium.

Having Southwestern Ohio in common, those in attendance could easily talk about “back home” and their college days, including the rivalries between schools. And since they’re also part of the Bay Area community, alums find great benefit to expanding their own networks in this way.

The idea of a multi-university alumni event like this isn’t new; the UC Alumni Association partners with its counterparts at Ohio schools to do these events in other places when possible. And it’s a great way to help alumni realize that ongoing involvement with UC can take many forms; what’s important is to simply participate.

Wherever you live, check out the list of regional alumni networks across the U.S. and jump in! Just click here to learn more.

UC alumnus makes lemonade out of lemons

2011-08-05T18:00:00.078-04:00

Clark Beck "turns lemons into lemonade."

"There are so many things you can't control in life, so you just have to play the hand you're dealt and trust that being positive and persistent will pay off in the end."

Now an accomplished engineer living in Kettering, OH and proud UC alum, it's evident Clark's positive and strong-willed approach to life did, in fact, pay off. But the road to success certainly wasn't an easy one for Clark, who graduated in UC's first class of African American Engineering students in 1969. More than 40 years later, he looks back at UC as the "something better" that came along after so many other doors were closed on him.

After earning a math degree from the Virginia Union University, Clark's repeated rejection from engineering programs near his home in Indiana only intensified his ambition to pursue his dream. He eventually found himself in the office of UC's Dean of the College of Engineering, where he was admitted into the mechanical engineering program, despite being told he'd likely "catch hell" as one of the first African American students in the program.

At times, Clark wonders how he made it through those days. He struggled through an intense engineering program with few friends, a weak support system and undesirable, yet more affordable, living conditions off- campus. Finding a co-op job was a difficult trek too, but he eventually landed a position with the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base two weeks prior to the deadline – an opportunity that paved the way for the rest of his career.

Today, Mr. Beck’s grandson Emory is following in Clark's footsteps, pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering , but at a completely different UC than Clark experienced forty-plus years ago. Emory lives on campus. He has friends, roommates, and a huge support system through the Darwin T. Turner Scholars Program and Emerging Ethnic Engineers (E3) Program - both of which were not available to Clark.

“UC has grown leaps and bounds since I was in school,” Clark says, “Not just academically and physically, but intellectually. UC has made tremendous changes – all for the better – and I’m proud of that.”

“I’ve always looked up to my grandfather as an engineer, as a person, especially intellectually, and I wanted to follow in his footsteps,” Emory says. “I’m even working at Wright Patterson and plan on working there as an engineer for my career.”

Tell us what you know about turning lemons into lemonade! What was your biggest educational challenge and how did you overcome it?

What do the Star Wars LightSaber and Social Business practices have in common?

2011-08-01T16:00:00.003-04:00

Ah, the Star Wars LightSaber. Obi-Wan Kenobi described it best when he said of the mythical formal weapon of Jedi knights, “More skill than simple sight was required for its use. Anyone can use a blaster or a fusioncutter—but to use a lightsaber well was a mark of someone a cut above the ordinary.”

One could say the same of Social Computing, an approach to business that combines social behavior theories and computational systems. According to Forrester Research, companies must be a cut above the ordinary in order to be successful.

“To thrive in an era of Social Computing, companies must abandon top-down management and communication tactics, weave communities into their products and services, use employees and partners as marketers, and become part of a living fabric of brand loyalists.”

That’s exactly what University of Cincinnati alum Tony Zingale CEO of Jive Software, is setting out to do. Not unlike his favorite science fiction gadget, this UC Foundation Trustee and supporter of UCAA’s William Howard Taft Society is taking Social Computing to the next level. He’s harnessing the innovation of social networking, collaboration software, community software and social media monitoring to add value the enterprise. (And no, we’re not going to mix metaphors by referencing that other little Enterprise…)

As a testament to Zingale’s status as a “cut above the ordinary,” Forbes Magazine recently interviewed the technology juggernaut as part of an ongoing series about the leaders behind social businesses. The interview covered the disruptive nature of social business (“It changes how we work to be more collaborative and puts us in touch with our community base.”) and how technology is evolving to improve business values and customer satisfaction.

“We believe that the future of work is personalized by delivering the right information to the right person at the right time,” he says in the article. “Our challenge is to take the systems of record in place, integrate them in the social ‘stream’ to bringing context, and liberate the content that matters to the worker to get the job done.”

Congratulations to Tony Zingale, University of Cincinnati alum, for being a Social Business Jedi and leading the charge in this exciting field! To read Zingale’s profile in Forbes, please click here.

Bearcats finding spots on NFL squads (and other football notes)

2011-07-29T17:15:00.002-04:00

NFL fans everywhere let out a collective sigh of relief Monday, when the longest work stoppage in league history came to a close. Now that teams finally had the green light to start making moves for the upcoming season, four former Bearcats were signed by pro squads in just a matter of days:

Kicker Jacob Rogers (New Orleans Saints)
Wide receiver Armon Binns (Jacksonville Jaguars)
Tight end Ben Guidugli (St. Louis Rams)
Wide receiver Vidal Hazelton (San Diego Chargers)

If that weren’t reason enough to celebrate, UC Football was also recently recognized with the BIG EAST Conference Academic Excellence Award for the 2010 season. After calculating the grade point average of students on each football team’s roster, the Bearcats came out on top in the conference – achieving a cumulative average 2.68 GPA during the 2010-2011 academic year.

The ‘Cats also had an all-time record high team GPA of 2.90 for Winter Quarter 2011, and senior running back John Goebel earned the 2010 BIG EAST Football Scholar-Athlete of the Year award. Congratulations to all the current and former players who worked hard to make these achievements possible!

Finally, game times have now been announced for five of the first six games of the season, so start making plans to be there in 2011!

Sat., Sept. 3 – UC vs. Austin Peay State – 7pm, Nippert Stadium (Bearcat Blitz opens at 3)
Sat., Sept. 10 – UC at Tennessee – 3:30pm
Sat., Sept. 17 – UC vs. Akron – 3:30pm, Nippert Stadium (Bearcat Blitz opens at 11:30)
Thurs., Sept. 22 – UC vs. North Carolina State – 8pm Nippert Stadium (Bearcat Blitz opens 5)
Sat., Oct. 1 – UC at Miami – 1 PM

What game are you looking forward to most this season? Weigh in and tell us below!

UC Alum, Arnie Leff, shows his support for UC in California

2011-07-28T16:38:00.002-04:00

A UC flag waves outside of Arnie's house in Boulder Creek, CA.

Arnie Leff, College of Medicine '67, is many things. An unapologetic patriot. An American hero. A veteran. And yes, a fervent supporter of his beloved University of Cincinnati. Arnie is also the topic of an intriguing biography; Paging Dr. Leff, penned by Gabriel Constans.

You may not agree with Dr. Leff’s stance on everything covered in this book, but there is no denying the astonishing life he has lived. Grab a copy of Paging Dr. Leff and let us know what you think!

Yu Yin credits UC Alumni Association for her strong start in the business world

2011-07-26T16:00:00.004-04:00

When Yu Yin became a member of the UC Alumni Association’s volunteer Board of Governors in July, it highlighted the global nature of the UC alumni family, the career development assistance available through the UCAA, and the manner in which lifelong Bearcats continuously pay it back and pay it forward with each other.

Yin, a native of China, received her undergraduate and graduate degrees in accounting from the Northeast Agricultural University in China before earning another master’s in business from UC in 2010. She is a tax consultant with Deloitte Tax LLP in Cincinnati, and credits her UC Alumni Association experience as a new grad for her strong start in the business world.

Since I became an international graduate student in UC’s College of Business, I have seen the significant influence of the UC Alumni Association. The organization holds a lot of events and activities that tremendously help students from outside of the United States. In this way, we feel like the Alumni Association is a bridge connecting international students with more UC friends and families. We also feel like the UCAA is a big family whose members care about every student and alumnus.

When I was invited to join the UC Alumni Association Board of Governors, I was certainly thrilled. I am a beneficiary of the UCAA, and my wonderful experience with the Alumni Association highly inspired me to accept the Board appointment. In fact, involving myself with the UCAA was a life-changing event for me.

I was very frustrated about job hunting as I approached my graduation. Then I attended an international graduates reception held jointly by UC’s international office and the UCAA, and I met a lot of international students as well as alumni. They all expressed their interest and concerns about my life and my job hunting. One of the alumni was Mr. Steve Simendinger, who was president of the UC College of Business Alumni Advisory Board back then, and also a former president of the UC Alumni Association board. He encouraged me and gave me great advice about how to build a network in order to expand my contacts.

He also introduced me to other UC alumni, including Mr. Chris Dalambakis, a manager with Steelcase, Inc., and Mr. Bob Carroll, a tax director with Deloitte, who might have additional contacts in my field or further job hunting guidance. Ms. Maureen Moorhead, a UC alumna and volunteer with International Friendships, Inc., who generously provided me with career coaching to equip me with the necessary job hunting skills. After these conversations and help, I felt much more confident and was able to expand my network a lot. Eventually I found a job in my field, which I enjoy very much.

I truly appreciate all the help and concerns from the alumni of UC, and I appreciate the opportunities provided by the UCAA. I’m eager to become one of them, which would give me the opportunity to devote myself to the UC community. I would like to be advisory and helpful to alumni who may need help just like I did. Thanks, UCAA, for giving me the chance to serve on the Board of Governors!

Yu Yin, BUS ’10

The UC Alumni Association offers a range of career development resources, from the kind of assistance Yu Yin describes to a powerful online tool called Career Resource Network and vibrant LinkedIn community, free to everyone in the UC alumni family.

Proudly UC Beyond Our Borders: Rachel Kohler

2011-07-20T09:10:00.000-04:00

As a student, UC alum Rachel Kohler had the opportunity to study abroad in Grenoble, France during the fall quarter in 2010. Rachel, a double major in French and English shared her experience with us.

How did you decide to study abroad and why did you choose that specific place?

As a French major I always knew that I wanted to study abroad in France to increase my fluency of the language, but to also become more culturally aware. I wanted to experience a foreign country and I’ve always been attracted to the allure of France.

Where did you stay during your trip abroad?

I lived with a host family during my stay in France. I absolutely loved staying with a host family. It allowed me to observe a dynamic that was very different than mine and offered me a better immersion experience in both the language and the culture. Living with a new family in a completely foreign setting was hard to adjust to at first, but my family was very warm and welcoming. In my particular situation I had five host siblings, four of which lived at home. I come from a small family with just one brother, so having the opportunity to have sisters was wonderful.

What were some highlights of your study abroad experience?

What really made my experience was the friends that I made during my trip. I studied abroad with a program that wasn’t in direct affiliation with my home university, meaning that I didn’t know anyone in my program prior to arriving in France. This forced me to be outgoing and make new friends. I made friends within my program (of about thirty people) who come from all over the United States, from Alaska to South Carolina. I also made friends within my host university from all over the world. It was easy to form a connection because we all share the same passion for French.

I firmly believe in the quote “Wherever you are it is your friends who make your world,” by William James. Without friends your experience won’t be as worthwhile. When I arrived in France I didn’t have any attachment to home, no sense of comfort, so I was forced to find friends and make a connection in France, which along the journey teaches you a lot about yourself.

I also liked the change in atmosphere and the new environment. Coming from Ohio, the terrain is much different from Grenoble where the city is encompassed by the Alps. The city is fairly large, but still has a quaint feel to it, and is a much older, historical town adding to the charm of it.

Why was this trip so important to you and your education?

Being a French major I felt that it was my duty, my responsibility, to go to France and learn. It is important to experience the French language in France because it contains a certain richness that can only be found in its country of origin. To fully comprehend the language on a deeper level and gain a true sense of the culture, it is necessary to study/travel abroad, without it, you’re missing out on so much.

How do you see your experiences abroad helping with your career and future?

I think studying abroad definitely gives me an advantage when it comes to career opportunities. Having the experience of living in France for an extended amount of time may open doors for me to work abroad in the future. Studying abroad in France for almost four months says that I am capable in the language and am able to get by and may open up possibilities within my career field. I hope that I find a career involving my French abilities since I am very passionate about French, and I think studying abroad is a stepping stone into my future and where my career may lead me.

Anything else about your experience you would like to share?

It’s hard to have expectations going into a study abroad experience. At first, it’s overwhelming, then it’s exciting, and then it’s frustrating, but once you get over all the logistics of it, you realize that all the effort you put into planning is entirely worth it, because any expectations you may have had are blown away with excellence. Studying abroad was absolutely the best decision I’ve ever made in my life. Not only did I have the time of my life, but I learned a lot and now hold this unique experience close to my heart.

Jack Laub: WWII Vet, Basketball Star, and Lifelong Bearcat

2011-07-15T09:00:00.003-04:00

Jack Laub (A&S 1950) is a proud, lifelong Bearcat with some amazing talents. Since his time at UC, Jack has traveled the world and gained some incredible life experiences, but he will always treasure the time he spent both on and off the basketball courts at UC.

Most famously known for his basketball career, Laub began as a varsity player for Abraham Lincoln High School in Brooklyn, NY, joining the City College of New York after graduation. Laub played from 1943-1945 under coach Nat Holman, and has been recognized for his impressive performance, being elected to the City College of New York Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002.

Laub during World War II

After attending City College of New York, Laub joined the Merchant Marines during World War II in 1944. For his service and devotion to the United States in the liberation of France during WWII, Laub was conferred the honor of “Chevalier” of the Legion of Honor, one of the highest honors awarded in France, this past June. After being discharged as a Lt. Sr. grade in 1946 as a Staff Officer in the U.S. Coast Guard, he was awarded a basketball scholarship at the University of Cincinnati to pursue medical school as a psychology major.

Laub, nicknamed the "Black Cat", helped lead UC Bearcats Basketball to four conference championships, putting Cincinnati on the map as one of the top college basketball teams in the nation. Since Laub played two years of basketball at City College and four years at UC, he is the only player in NCAA history to play for six varsity years.

After graduating from UC, Laub was one of the first two Bearcats to be drafted into the NBA in 1950. Laub was recruited by the Baltimore Bullets, but was soon traded to the Minneapolis Lakers and eventually Scranton Miners. While he was with the Miners, Laub helped the team win two championships.

"Black Cat" Laub

Laub stayed true to his connection with UC however, as he was eventually asked to be the university’s first assistant basketball coach. Laub was ecstatic to return to his alma mater, later serving as head scout for UC. As an assistant coach, Laub helped UC earn its first appearance in the National Invitation Tournament in 1951.

Laub left basketball for a time, joining Pfizer & Co. in 1954. Laub devoted his business career to reducing prescription costs for consumers, and together with business partners, helped pioneer the idea of discount drugs. He helped open the first discounted drug store chain in the New York area, and later helped open the first mail-order pharmacy, streamlining the purchase of generic drugs. Because of these achievements, UC's McMicken College of Arts & Sciences honored Laub with the 2010 Distinguished Alumni Award.

In 1959, Laub returned to his basketball roots as head coach of the U.S. Kings Point Merchant Marine Academy at age 32, but has remained a proud Bearcat ever since!

Read more about Jack in UC Magazine.

Do you know Jack? What are your fondest memories of him or the basketball program during his time at UC? Post your comments below!

Alumni Represent UC in Milwaukee

2011-07-14T11:00:00.005-04:00

Thanks to all the Bearcat alumni and friends, including UC football legend and radio announcer Jim Kelly, who came out to join us before the Reds-Brewers game in Milwaukee last Saturday. We were thrilled to have members from both the Milwaukee and Chicago networks join us for local favs Skyline and Graeter’s to watch the Reds take a much-needed divisional win from the Brewers…in extra inning, dramatic fashion no less.

We tip our caps to the Milwaukee fans for the way they support their Brew Crew. The pre-game atmosphere around Miller Park on game-day is absolutely electric.

Congratulations to Sarah Markland, winner of the autographed Aroldis Chapman baseball, and everyone else who took home some great UC gear.

Special thanks to UC alum Nick Landers, brew master for Milwaukee’s Lakefront Brewery, brewing some of the best beer in Wisconsin since 1987. Nick treated tailgaters to a sampling of Lakefront’s finest craft brews and will be hosting a special tour for UC alumni at a future date.

Be sure to check back for details on the upcoming Lakefront Brewery Tour! Go Bearcats in Milwaukee!

Are you ready for some (Bearcats) football?

2011-07-12T18:00:00.004-04:00

Since most of the country is sweltering in the mid-summer heat, it’s a great time to look ahead to the cooler days of fall – and the return of football this September. In fact, single game tickets are now on sale to UCATS members, and will be available to the general public starting Monday, July 18. So to help you get through the dog days, here are five reasons to look forward to the upcoming season:

1. 18 starters returning to the team: Highlighted by unanimous First Team All-Big East senior quarterback Zach Collaros, senior running back Isaiah Pead and senior receiver D.J. Woods, as well as senior linebacker J.K. Schaffer and senior defensive tackle Derek Wolfe, the Bearcats are retaining a number of stars on both sides of the ball.

In fact, each player listed above has been named to a watch list for a variety of national awards: Pead and Collaros are on the watch list for the Maxwell Award (given to an outstanding offensive player); Woods is on the watch list for the Biletnikoff Award (given annually to the nation's most outstanding wide receiver); and Schaffer and Wolfe are on the watch list for the 2011 Bronko Nagurski Trophy (awarded annually to the nation's best defensive player). With no clear preseason frontrunner in the Big East, the Bearcats have a solid chance to utilize this talent and depth to make a run at a BCS bowl for the third time in four years.

2. Tailgating and pre-game traditions old and new: Make sure to stop by the Bearcat Blitz in and around the Myers Alumni Center, beginning four hours before Nippert Stadium home games against Austin Peay St. (September 3, 7:00 pm), Akron (September 17, TBD), North Carolina St. (September 22, 8:00 pm) and Big East rival Connecticut (December 3, TBD). You’ll be right in the middle of the action and have a front row seat for the team’s Cat Walk path to the stadium. A variety of exciting changes and additions to the game-day experience are also in the works, and the two games taking place at Paul Brown Stadium will give fans a chance to develop new tailgating or pre-game traditions.

3. A nationally-ranked recruiting class: Butch Jones and his assistant coaches wasted no time pounding the pavement and shoring up needs on both sides of the ball; leveraging the many positives of playing at the University of Cincinnati (including the new Sheakley Athletics Complex) to land one of the most anticipated classes of recruits in UC football history. The incoming class was ranked #41 according to Scout.com and placed #45 on Rivals.com. Some additional food for thought: the #41 ranking on Scout.com marks the first time the Bearcats have ever cracked the top 50 list, and they also came in third among Big East teams.

4. Sweet road trips: The Bearcats away game schedule is highlighted by a trip to Knoxville to play the Tennessee Volunteers on Saturday, September 10 at 3:30 pm. The later kickoff time makes this a perfect opportunity to make the drive Friday night or early Saturday morning and take in the atmosphere at an iconic college stadium. The Bearcats also travel to Pittsburgh (November 5) for the first time since the historic 45-44 thriller that propelled the ‘Cats to the Sugar Bowl in 2009, and take slightly longer trips to play South Florida (October 22), Rutgers (November 19) and Syracuse (November 26). Of course, if these are a bit too far away, there’s always the short trip up to Oxford to watch the Bearcats play Miami for the Victory Bell on Saturday, October 1 at 1 pm.

5. Two games at Paul Brown Stadium: The Bearcats played perhaps their most exciting home game of the season last year under the lights downtown, coming up just a bit short against a powerful Oklahoma team, 31-29. The larger capacity and improved access to amenities make the game-day experience more exciting than ever at PBS – and gives Bearcats fans a chance to be even louder and more supportive of their team. On the flip side, both Louisville and West Virginia’s fan bases travel extremely well, so get your tickets now and make sure the stadium is rocking on October 15 and November 12.

Try to stay cool during these hot summer days – and remember – football season is right around the corner!

Columbus Golf Outing Raises $12,000

2011-07-08T11:00:00.005-04:00

Golfers are rarely satisfied. We want to hit the ball a little straighter, a little longer, or a lot closer to the pin. We always come away thinking, "If only I could have..." Well, on Monday, June 27, for one afternoon, we had it all … All the golf, all the Cincinnati, and all the UC we could ask for!

On that day, 80+ UC alumni and friends participated in the third annual Central Ohio Regional Alumni Network Golf Outing at Riviera Golf Club in Dublin and “got it all,” no matter what our scorecards showed. How else can you describe the opportunity to spend a beautiful day on the golf course enjoying old and new UC friends, meeting some Bearcat athletics VIPs, and supporting student scholarships in the process?

The Columbus-area Bearcats got acquainted with UC football coach Butch Jones and women’s basketball coach Jamelle Elliott, as well as former Bearcat basketball greats Tony Yates, Roland West and George Wilson, plus former Pittsburgh Steelers Pro Bowl offensive lineman John Jackson (a Cincinnati native).

The event was sponsored by Kroger and food was provided by Skyline Chili, Montgomery Inn and Graeter’s. That’s right — it was like Taste of Cincinnati!

The day included both silent and live auctions, a raffle and door prizes galore as everyone went home a winner!

Most importantly, the event raised about $12,000, which was split between UCATS and the Central Ohio Regional Alumni Network Scholarship fund, which helps incoming UC freshmen from the Columbus area.

Thanks to all who attended and contributed, including my fellow Columbus Regional Committee members Scott Simmers, Chet Chaney, Dave Tenwick, Mark Inzetta and Bob Mayer. Special thanks to Scott, who is quickly becoming known as Mr. Bearcat Golf, for all of his hard work!

Looking ahead, we’re preparing for our annual Summer Sendoff event in late August, hosted by Ashland Inc.; each of the last two years we’ve drawn about 125 freshmen-to-be and their families. And of course the regional alumni network will be organizing game-watches as the Bearcats kick off their 2011 football season.

Chris A. Pore, College of Engineering ’77

2011 DAAP Fashion Show attracts international attention

2011-07-05T19:00:00.001-04:00

It's not surprising the College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning 2011 Fashion Show sold out and attracted an international audience, with attendees coming from as far as Europe. The highly-anticipated, 60th Annual DAAP Fashion Show, displayed students' fashion creations during a professionally modeled, choreographed and lighted event.

Not only has DAAP's fashion show gained international attention, the School of Design has been recognized as an international elite. In 2009, BusinessWeek named UC's School of Design to the "A-list" of design schools, which includes the world's top 30 design programs. I.D. (International Design) magazine listed UC among the top 10 design schools - the only public institution to make the list.

DAAP's internationally renowned design program has produced numerous award-winning designers. One UC alum, Stan Herman, a native New Yorker and 1950 graduate of DAAP, is a three-time Coty award-winning designer and past president of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). Herman pioneered the designer uniform, for clients including FedEx, McDonald's, Amtrak, Avis, TWA, United Airlines and Jet Blue. As past president of CFDA, he led the launch of the “Fashion Targets Breast Cancer” initiative that raises public awareness and funds for the breast cancer cause. He was also served as the president of 7th on Sixth for seven years and has been a best-selling designer on QVC. In 2006, he was recognized with CFDA’s highest honor - the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Herman is just one example of the various success stories that started in DAAP. Check out this year's fashion designs from the 2011 DAAP fashion show, and just think, you may be wearing some of these students' creations one day!

DC alum helps Biomedical student swap UC labs for DC labs

2011-07-01T08:36:00.003-04:00

DC co-op student Jacob Turner
prepares DNA in one of the
National Institutes of Health's labs.

Meet third-year UC student and future Biomedical Engineer Jacob Turner. A first generation college student and a small town Northern Kentucky native, Jacob is letting nothing get in his way of a well-rounded Bearcat experience – and a bright future in the biomedical research field. His latest venture: A dream co-op job with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Washington D.C., thanks in part to DC alum John O’Shea. We asked Jacob a few questions to uncover some of the challenges and highlights of both his co-op search and on-the-job experience so far.

How did you become interested in as complex an industry as biomedical engineering and research?

At the beginning of my freshman year, I jumped right into undergraduate research in the Functional Tissue Engineering Lab at UC, under Dr. David Butler. It was in that lab that I gained my most valuable experience and really found my passion for biomedical research. I really just liked the idea of doing work that might eventually benefit a human life.

How did you navigate the co-op job search process?

When my first co-op rotation rolled around, I began reaching out to labs all across the country without much luck. Given the state of the economy, finding a co-op position (especially in a research lab) is not so easy. But through networking at UC, I was fortunate enough to meet with and get some solid advice from UC’s Provost, Dr. Santa Ono. He was incredibly helpful and connected me with a UC alum, Dr. John O’Shea, at one of the NIH’s 27 institutes – the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease – and the rest is history. I made plans to relocate to Bethesda, MD!

What is it like working at NIH?

The NIH is an inspiring place to be because everyone is there for a common cause: to help others through science and medicine. There’s always something new and exciting being discovered. There’s also a great sense of family and belonging despite the fact that most of my co-workers are from a different parts of the world. UC prides itself in the level of diversity its student body and staff display, and the NIH is much the same. In front of my desk sits an Italian; to the right, an Englishman; and directly behind me is a Chinese man. It’s wonderful hearing each of their unique stories and what brought them to NIH, and I have learned more from my conversations with them than any book could ever teach me.

What kind of work are you doing at NIH?

The work I’ve been assigned here is far different from what I used to do in the FTE lab at UC, which consisted primarily of cell culture and experiments. I work in the Molecular Immunology and Inflammation Branch of NIAMS, and we are focused on understanding how T-cells fight disease in the immune system. The work is very intricate, utilizing a very novel technology called next-generation sequencing, which creates an incredible amount of data to be analyzed.

My job has been to write programs that analyze the millions of lines of data and extract the important things. Besides one introductory course, I was absolutely new to programming and had to spend the first month teaching myself how to program by reading through a couple bioinformatics programming books. I had also just made the switch from tissue engineering to immunology, so I spent a lot of time studying immunology and molecular biology journals. I’ve since written many different programs for the lab and successfully found a number of novel regions in the genome that could control the way T cells mature or fight disease. I’m starting to get more involved in experiments, and if time allows I’ll get to study one of the regions my programs found in mice.

What have you enjoyed most about your experience so far?

One thing I love about NIH is that they always have lectures by famous scientists. I have been privileged to sit in on lectures and learn from scientists like Jane Goodall and at least three Nobel laureates. Today I went to four lectures - it was a lot like class, but I loved it.

Being an undergraduate researcher at the NIH has been extraordinary on many levels, but most notably, it has been extraordinarily humbling. All of my co-workers have an MD or PhD degree, or both, and at least 15 years of experience in medicine and research. They are the best in the world at what they do, and I get to sit in between them at a desk just like theirs, and work on solving complex problems in immunology with them. It’s a humbling, intimidating, and incredibly enjoyable place to sit.

What has it been like adjusting to life in a new city?

Expensive. Living in one of the richest areas of the country isn’t easy on a student paycheck. Rent is double here compared to Cincinnati, but other than that and the incessant traffic, I really like the DC area. It was lonely for the first few months because NIH was devoid of anyone close to my age, but a flood of summer students arrived a couple weeks ago and I’m collaborating with one now. I’m away from my girlfriend and family, so I’m definitely anxious to get back home.

What’s your next venture?

I’m not too sure. I may stay home in Cincinnati and try to get an industry co-op, but if I decide to do research again I have a potential opportunity in Australia. My most immediate adventure will definitely be getting back to campus for fall quarter classes!

UC Prof Wants Students to Learn that Leaders are Givers

2011-06-24T11:00:00.003-04:00

Greg Sizemore, an adjunct professor at UC's College of Engineering and Applied Science, recognized a problem with one of his courses. Though he teaches Leadership Development, this course is only able to teach theory and principle. "Leadership has to be modeled," explains Sizemore, "it can never just be taught."

A couple years ago, Sizemore set off to find a way to better teach the course, especially to convey a key theme to the course, that leaders have to be givers. Sizemore challenged his students on how to demonstrate this principle, which led to the creation of a scholarship fund. Sizemore provided a matching grant for the scholarship, encourage students to donate, which generated $12,000 in funding. Since then, Sizemore's scholarship fund has been endowed, and continues to grow; drawing more donations with each new Leadership Development class, providing direct philanthropy experience for students.

Are you active with promoting a sense of "giving back" with future generations?

I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream!

2011-06-21T15:00:00.009-04:00

Graeter's named one of nation's best ice cream companies

Graeter's has always been a staple dessert for the Cincinnati region. With a history stretching back to the 19th century, the family-owned chain still continues with its traditional recipes and famous French Pot processing of ice cream. Many of Graeter's flavors offer rich, creamy flavors with huge chocolate chunks, certain to satisfy any ice cream lover's sweet tooth. And this company's quality ice cream has not gone unnoticed.

Food writer Ellen Brown, author of Scoop, recently listed America's top 10 favorite ice cream parlors and creameries, naming Graeter's as one of the best ice cream shops in the country! Other famous ice cream companies that made the mark include: Bonnie Brae Ice Cream in Denver, Bassetts in Philadelphia, GS Gelato in Fort Walton Beach, Lappert's in San Diego, Mitchell's in San Francisco, and Sweet Republic in Scottsdale.

Missing the ice cream tradition of Cincinnati? Order your Graeter's online and have it shipped anywhere in the continental U.S.! Graeter's is a Proudly Cincinnati company, and a proud sponsor of the UC Alumni Association.

Have a favorite spot for ice cream or other sweet treats in your city? Be sure to share your comments below about how it stacks up to the Cincy competition!

Scottish Bearcat Talks about UC Experience

2011-06-14T11:00:00.006-04:00


Photo credit: www.englishwomensgolf.org

Andrew Kean was a highly accomplished youth soccer player in Scotland in the mid-1990s who accepted UC’s offer to come to the U.S. and help the Bearcats soccer program take a big step forward. In the process, he became the program’s first All-American, led the team to its first-ever NCAA Tournament in 1998, and was inducted into the James P. Kelly, Sr., UC Athletics Hall of Fame in 2010. Here, Andrew talks about his UC experience.

On how life is better because of attending UC:
“Without any exaggeration or hesitation at all, I can say my life changed for the better by being a University of Cincinnati student as well as a student-athlete. The UC soccer team was touring the United Kingdom when I met my future wife, Allyson, who is Scottish — how’s that for irony? I enjoyed the culture at UC, where I learned about seizing opportunities and working hard to become better. And since returning to Scotland, I’ve seen that there’s a sort of ‘golden thread’ between the generations past and the athletes and students at UC now, which I really appreciate.”

On feeling part of UC even when living across the ocean:
“After having been part of something so positive as a student-athlete, when you leave you worry that you might become detached from it. I don’t want that to happen. So while I’m thousands of miles away in the United Kingdom, in the carpark of my office there’s a University of Cincinnati Alumni sticker on my car. I talk about the university every single day to kids who are interested in opportunities to go to the States. Contributing keeps me involved as an alumnus, and it feeds the hunger I have to be part of the UC family.”

On the UC family:
“I talk about the family — the university and the athletics department — because when I came to UC from Scotland, I didn’t have any actual family there. For four years, my family was my teammates, their parents and cousins and sisters and uncles, the medical staff, the compliance staff, Larry the superfan who came to the games and danced and sang … It was everyone who was so important to the program — such a great thing to be a part of. I almost get jealous when I see other kids have the opportunity to go there now, and they have absolutely no idea of the terrific four years ahead of them. I would pay good money to have another shot at it, that’s for sure.”

On supporting the university and soccer program as an alum:
“Whether the resources were easily available or not, providing support to the school and the soccer program is something I’d readily do, simply because I appreciate my opportunity even more as the years go on. Things have come on by leaps and bounds since I left, with the campus ever changing and evolving. The opportunities now at UC are far greater than when I was there. So I’ll certainly try to help other student-athletes have their opportunity, whether they’re from Alabama or Aberdeen, Scotland.”

On feeling pride as an alumnus:
“The Proudly Cincinnati slogan is quite appropriate because I don’t think there are many schools in the U.S. with such a proud and active alumni family, over and above athletics. And it’s not just UC — it’s Cincinnati itself, too. I said during my UC Hall of Fame speech that athletes learn to appreciate that it’s not just your team you’re playing for — actually you’re part of something much bigger than just a sports team. It’s hard to put into words, but there’s a different attitude at the University of Cincinnati. It’s just a fantastic place to be.”

To learn more about opportunities in your area, contact Matt Crone at 513-556-4522 or 877-4-UCALUM toll-free.

UC Alumni Advice Part 2

2011-06-10T18:36:00.002-04:00

With UC's Commencement ceremonies beginning today, here are some more pieces of advice for new UC Grads!

Ken Keilholz Cincinnati, Ohio
BBA, Information Systems / Entreprenuership, Lindner College of Business, Class of 1999
Don't be afraid to pursue a niche, but make sure you can always see the big picture. Those that can integrate technology to solve business problems or boost productivity are of exceptional value - making them difficult to replace/outsource.

Greg Frazier Detroit, Ohio
MS, Quantitive Analysis, Lindner College of Business
Thank all of the people that helped you. Take your degree, set it aside for a little while. Do something that you enjoy that is also a benefit to your community. In other words, chill for a moment to reflect on where you want to go in life. Try out a few new experiences and when (if) the opportunity presents itself, apply what you have learned. If the opportunity doesn't, learn from that experience.

John Drennan Cincinnati, Ohio
BBA, Operations Management & Entrepreneurship, Lindner College of Business
Get out and network. Make time to meet new people in different industries and learn from their experiences. This is a great way to stumble across a new opportunity, continue learning, and give back to your community. Volunteer your time and meet some new people. Plus you can add it to your resume and it gives you something to talk about during an interview!

Drew McKenzie Cincinnati, Ohio
BBA, Marketing, Management, Lindner College of Business
Be flexible and open to doing things that might not have been part of your planned path, you might find that you really love doing something other than what you planned.

Also be sure to check out Alumnus Justin Gibson's latest blog entry, "Pomp and Extreme Circumstance..." He offers further advice to new UC grads on how to apply their college experience to the real world's job markets.

Thanks to all who offered such brilliant advice! Check out the UC Alumni Association's Career Services section for additional resources.

Are You a New UC Grad Looking for Advice? We've Got It!

2011-06-07T11:16:00.001-04:00

The University of Cincinnati is preparing to graduate UC's Class of 2011 this weekend, sending them into the rough and tough world of career building. On the UC Alumni Association's Linkedin group, we recently asked our seasoned alumni to offer up their best advice for new college grads. And boy, did they deliver!

Below is just a sampling of a few of our favorites, and later this week we'll feature another round of advice from the discussion. If you have any tidbits of your own you'd like to share, please feel free to comment below, or better yet, join in on the actual discussion on Linkedin!

Jacquelyn Baker Cincinnati, Ohio
BBA,Marketing & International Business, Lindner College of Business, Class of 2002
"Network, network, network! Use the summer (and great weather) as an opportunity to take people for coffee. Ask them about their careers, advice they have, etc. In this world, it's all about who you know. You never know when a casual lunch or coffee conversation will turn into a career idea or a connection they can make for you. The UC Alumni network is vast. Use them! These people offer a wide array of knowledge and connections for you, as well as a deep love for UC. They want to help you out. It makes people feel important when you reach out to them for advice. Tap into these networks every chance you get."

Gregory Hoodin Cincinnati, Ohio
AS, Accounting, Lindner College of Business, Class of 1987
"You will hear the word no, but often a no leads to a yes somewhere else."

Michael Prucha Sarasota, Florida
BS, Mechanical Engineering, UC College of Engineering, Class of 1996
"My best advice to new entrants into the workforce is to find ways to differentiate yourself. While everyone needs a buck, if there's a way to 'volunteer your time' at a company you want to work for, you stand the best chance of meeting the people you need to build relationships with and distinguish yourself. Companies are certainly looking for low cost, low risk investments in resourcing. Definitely stay positive, as well. You never know when you'll be standing next to someone who works at your next employer and you want support for your job pursuit. Finally - find ways to keep busy in a constructive manner. Companies will appreciate it if you've found ways to give back to the community. You'll find it rewarding while building out your network and developing key relationships."

Jan Polk Cincinnati, Ohio
AS, Administrative Management, Business, UC Evening College, Class of 1980
"Good Manners are Powerful! Don't leave home without them. When all things are equal, employers will hire the person who is honorable, trustworthy and respectful to others. Technology does not trump behaving respectfully to each other."

Richard Foley Recognized with Distinguished Service Award

2011-06-01T11:00:00.007-04:00

“When I arrived at UC as dean of the College of Engineering (as it was known at the time), I made it my business to learn about the people who were so important to the college’s success. Rich Foley’s name was mentioned by many people, and as soon as I began to work with him as a dedicated alumnus, I understood why.”

So begins Carlo Montemagno’s letter nominating alumnus Richard Foley (Eng. ’61) for the Distinguished Service Award from the UC Alumni Association. Dean Montemagno, Dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Science (CEAS), felt Foley was the perfect fit for the award, which recognizes alumni who have rendered outstanding, faithful and selfless service to their alma mater

“UC Day is a longstanding tradition at UC, allowing us to celebrate and recognize our most remarkable alumni and the positive marks they’ve made in their professions and in their communities,” said UC Alumni Association Executive Director, Myron Hughes. “Richard Foley is a truly outstanding example of alumni leadership in action.”

The award recipients were selected for their unique professional accomplishments and contributions to UC and the community at large. Foley turned his UC co-op assignment at Dayton's Harris-Seybold Printing Co. into a 37-year career there. He and his wife, Marlene, established and continue to fund the Richard G. and Marlene D. Foley Endowed Scholarship Fund, which provides scholarships for first-year students in CEAS.

“The scholarship fund and Rich’s dedication to it is so reflective of Rich’s early educational experiences. He struggled to make it to college, but found someone to give him the guidance and assistance to make it possible. He sees this as ‘paying it forward’ to help others realize the same college opportunity he had,” said Montemagno.

On the other end of the spectrum, Foley also works frequently with his fellow Bearcat alumni. He is a volunteer leader of the UC Alumni Association’s regional alumni network in Dayton. He led the efforts to attract classmates from the Class of 1961 to their Golden Reunion this past May. And he’s committed to the efforts of the UC Foundation and the Proudly Cincinnati campaign.

“It’s all about keeping that UC connection alive,” Montemagno noted. “Rich knows that when more alumni are actively engaged and supporting the life of the university, the greater UC will become, and the more the lives of these alums will be enriched.”

Congratulations to Richard Foley – a “grassroots guy who shows up and does all he can” – and all of the alumni being recognized during this year’s annual UC Day Celebration!

UC Alumni Recruitment Team Wants You!

2011-05-24T14:00:00.007-04:00

How will I pay for college? What is it like living in Cincinnati? Where can I get a job after I earn a degree?

High school juniors and seniors across the country are asking themselves these questions and UC alumni are helping them find answers through the University of Cincinnati Alumni Recruitment Team (UCART)!

For years, alumni have volunteered to work with the Office of Admissions to represent UC at various college fairs and recruitment programs all over the country through UCART. This year, 9 UCART members attended over 30 college fairs in Chicago, St. Louis, Southeast Michigan, and Columbus to speak with parents and students about what UC has to offer.

This year, a UCART website and on-line training program were developed, making it easy for alumni across the country to complete the training when it was convenient for them, regardless of where they live or their ability to come back to campus.

Jeff Hopkins ’88 volunteered for the first time this year in Chicago “to direct his pride in and enthusiasm for UC into something that will benefit both UC and those who choose to attend.” Jay Wright has volunteered over the last 5 years in Detroit, Michigan because he says, “It is an unselfish way to pay UC back for all the benefits we received. Second, it is a way to renew your ties to the University and all the other alumni in your area.”

When asked why he continues to serve as a UCART member, Alan Robbins ’76 who enjoys volunteering along with his wife Marla, who is also a UC alumna, for 3 years in St. Louis said, “It’s about giving back and wanting to see the University create a foothold in this city. St. Louis students travel more than 5 hours to attend other colleges and universities, so why not the University of Cincinnati with its broad offerings and excellent programs?”

As a UCART representative, you are able to truly help students who are in the midst of making a decision that will help shape their life. Jon Bloom ‘81 volunteers in Columbus, OH and said, “I absolutely encourage other alumni to get involved in UCART. It’s a great way to give back to the University and I really enjoy it. Many of the students I meet are incredibly bright, successful and articulate. UC would be a better place if many of those students attended.”

The impact our alumni have on the lives of students across the country is incredible! A UCART member in the north and west suburbs of Chicago for eight years, Tom Vick ’69, recalls a time when someone came up to him at a gathering and said, “I know you don’t remember me, but I would really like to thank you for directing my daughter to consider architecture at UC.” The daughter was finishing her first co-op experience and loving her time at UC.

Greg Hopton ’82 finds connecting with high school students in the Detroit Metro to be a very rewarding part of the experience. Greg has had success in reaching out to other parents who graduated from UC and finding that their children were considering becoming Bearcats also.

Becoming a UCART member is a no cost, no obligation way to give back to your university and is the perfect opportunity for young alumni to get involved in their communities.

If you'd like to get involved, please contact Shayna Royal, Admissions Officer or call her at 513-556-2308. Find additional information about the UCART program here: www.admissions.uc.edu/ucart/interestform.

National Mall Home to Bearcat Kickball

2011-05-23T11:10:00.002-04:00

DC Bearcats Official Team Photo
Front - Michal Hammond; Back (left to right) - Tim Lolli,
Sean Huff, Adam Thurn, Caroline Page, Todd Damren

Their randomly assigned brown team colors haven’t kept them from showing off their red and black on the kickball field. In fact, according to DC alum and team captain Caroline Page, the “DC Bearcats” kickball team has found an alternative for proudly displaying their Cincinnati pride – “We all just wear our UC baseball caps instead!”

This spring marks the team’s first season together and despite their 2-4 record in the DC Thunder Spring League, the budding team has found the league’s rewards extend far beyond a winning record. “We all knew each other from Cincinnati and decided this would be a great way to meet new people and spend time together each week,” said Caroline. “It’s a good excuse to get together and share our mutual love for UC with people from all around the country.”

Catch the “DC Bearcats” in action every Saturday afternoon on the National Mall. Better yet, if the nice spring weather has you missing the good ole’ days of UC intramurals, visit the DC alumni page or contact fellow alum Caroline Page to join the roster.

And for all of you other Bearcats sitting inside reading this post on a beautiful, sunny day, put your Bearcat game faces on and start a team in your city!

2011 UC Relay for Life raises more than $124,000!

2011-05-20T11:12:00.087-04:00

UC kicked off its ninth annual Relay for Life late Friday, April 30, with 1,865 participants crowding on to McMicken Commons. This year's Relay featured an "Around the World" theme with each participating team representing a different culture. Together, the 165 teams raised more than $124,000 for the American Cancer Society.

One Relay participant, Courtney Divincenzo, a third year Pre-Law major, explained why she decided to be active with Relay for Life.

"I, like many others, have been affected in some way by cancer," says Divincenzo. "This past summer my grandfather passed away from cancer. This year I relayed for him. In the past I have relayed for my Aunt and friends who had passed away from cancer and those family and friends who have overcome cancer and are now survivors." When asked what her favorite part of Relay is, there is no hesitation for Divicenzo. "The Luminaria Ceremony; I feel that this part of the event brings everyone together who has been affected by cancer and shows that we are not alone in the struggles that come along with cancer."

Why do you support Relay for Life at UC or in your city? Tell us what motivates you!

CCM Drama Showcase kicks off in LA with UC Alumni

2011-05-19T11:05:00.000-04:00

The CCM Drama Showcase was created to highlight senior CCM drama students in a variety of acts for casting agents and producers in the Los Angeles area. This annual event kicked off on April 25 with a special sneak peek for UC Alumni. Students acted their way through a variety of acts, both comical and serious.

These drama seniors come from a wide variety of backgrounds. Some are Cincinnati natives who have attended local performing arts schools, while others hail from small towns dotted across the Midwest and east coast. Each performer offers a unique set of skills, blending to create one dynamic performance.

The CCM Drama Showcase's official debut was on April 26 with industry professionals, casting agents, and producers in attendance. CCM alumna and professional actress Diana Maria Riva was also in attendance to cheer on the seniors and offer them some friendly career advice.

We wish all of the featured seniors the best of luck and a prospering career!

Catching Up with Alex Meacham, Part 2

2011-05-17T11:00:00.003-04:00

How did your fascination with Air Jordan shoes begin?

It all started when I was around 11 or 12 years old. I have always been a huge Michael Jordan fan, and like so many other kids I believed that by owning those shoes, I could "be like Mike" and become better at basketball. Many basketball players these days - Lebron James, Kobe Bryant - are popular, but are nowhere near the greatness or influence of MJ.

The shoes also have served as a great conversation piece. They have brought me a lot of attention and popularity with students and others. My life has been about meeting people, and making connections, and the sneakers serve as an ice breaker.

You maintain an official relationship with Air Jordan. How has that worked?

The Air Jordan process started in ’99 – at the time, we were sponsored by brand Jordan. One day the team told us that a brand representative was coming to talk with us, and in through the door walks Gentry Humphrey, who was the director of the brand. Since I was already a big fan, I knew who he was and was really excited to have him here talking to us. Over the next hour or so, he essentially held a focus group with us: what do you like, etc. When we were done, I introduced myself and that began the relationship which led me to the process of being involved with Air Jordan. I went out a few times a year, learned more, became friends, and they knew I was passionate.

One of my favorite shoes is the Jordan Air 5. Now when I wear the Jordan 5’s, I wear them with white laces – something no one else does because they are an all-black shoe. So one of the guys asks me at Air Jordan why I go with the white laces? After some conversation, he followed up with me a few months later with a new prototype based on the white laces and the other style points I told him about, and it just grew from there.

It was a great feeling in October 2010 to actually get the shoe I helped develop. Just like it was a dream for me to run on the court at Midnight Madness, it was a dream realized to hold a shoe I helped create.

So what happened after college basketball?

I remember my final meeting with Coach Huggins, he said, “You’re not going to the NBA – you’re not going overseas to play professionally. You’re going live, work and be a part of this community, you need to know the people who are influential in this city. People will know who you are since you played here, but you need to know who they are – it’s very important to treat people right and leverage your connections." He was right; I’ve met so many great people at the University, and I owe a tremendous amount to those who helped me.

After UC, I coached basketball at Walnut Hills High School for two years – and learned I had a passion for working with young people in basketball and in life. That experience was a springboard to start Shining Star Sports, a non-profit organization that helps build men and women into tomorrow’s leaders through the game of basketball. We put them on teams based on age, send them around the country to play AAU basketball, one-on-one instruction and coaching, and through this process, my staff and I have helped kids in a way that they wouldn’t have received otherwise. We help prepare them for life when the ball stops bouncing. Our ten year anniversary was in April 2011.

In a way, I represent UC and I take pride in that and conduct myself in the proper way.

Do you have any advice to UC alumni and students?

The time you are at UC, be good to the people you meet, and realize there are a lot of people there to help you – such as teachers and administrators. Use them. Make connections. There are so many people who have come out of the University who have done great things in the community – get connected with them. Try an internship or something like that. I interned at 700 WLW and I got to know a lot of media people, and it’s great to leverage those connections. Figure out how to get in the door, but also be ready to make an impact once you’re in – and that’s the education piece of things.

Take advantage of the resources around you. Everything I’ve done in this life goes back to my mother and father putting me in good positions, the great influence from my brother, and of course the opportunities I had at UC. Lean on those people and let them help you.

We thank Alex Meacham for sharing his story!

Please share your thoughts below.

Catching Up with Alex Meacham, Part 1

2011-05-16T11:00:00.018-04:00

Photo Credit: The Enquirer/Cara Owsley

UC alumnus and former basketball player Alex Meacham, started collecting Air Jordan sneakers when he was only 11 years old – and now holds a collection of more than 350 pairs!

His story received quite a bit of media attention. We caught up with Alex shortly after the media blitz to learn more about his collection. We were fascinated by the stories a he shared about his time at UC, his current work, and his advice for students and alumni. The second part of our interview with Alex will be posted tomorrow!

What made you want to attend UC?

I grew up on campus essentially, because both my mom and dad worked at UC when I was a kid. Because I was here so much seeing them, I got to know lots of different people and became familiar with the University before I was even in high school. Our family also went to a lot of basketball games, and I absolutely loved the atmosphere in Fifth Third Arena.

Starting around 9 years old, my dream was to attend UC and play basketball here. When I told other people I wanted to be on the basketball team, most of them laughed, or said I couldn’t do it. So I learned to keep that dream close, not tell a lot of others who may try to talk me out of it, and work extremely hard to get better and stronger every year.

You made the basketball team as a walk-on under Bob Huggins. What was that like?

Before I could try out or do anything like that, I first had to talk to Coach Huggins, and I was pretty nervous because he was one of the most well-known people in the city. I went to his office and said, “What do I need to do to play here?”

Coach Huggins said that I first needed to clear myself academically and physically, and then we would talk about my role and taking the next step. I think he thought it would take me a few weeks to get all the administrative stuff done, so I left his office around 2 pm. I came back at 5 pm with everything I needed in hand, and he was pretty surprised, because I’m sure a lot of people tried to talk to him about being a part of the team. That aggressiveness and work ethic was tremendously important, and it probably helped me make a good impression with him right off the bat.

After I had been cleared to play, I started working on improving my game. I attended open gyms with guys like Ruben Patterson, Terry Nelson, and Kenyon Martin, and I couldn’t even get in the games at first because they were so good. The team already had 10 guys and I was the 11th, and I was resigned to accept that I may only be a sub or bench player, if that.

So one day, someone sprained their ankle or got hurt, and I thought this might be my chance – but those guys were looking for anyone but me to come into the game! “Is anyone else around?” they asked and joked. Finally, I got a chance. I was extremely nervous and didn’t play too well but I felt like I had arrived.

Then I went down to the weight room to work on my conditioning. I got on the scale and weighed around 152 pounds. The strength coach looked at me and said, “Son, you’ll never play at UC.” My head sort of dropped because I thought my dream was over, but he said, “Son, when you leave here, you’ll weigh 196.” And I thought, I’ve never been able to gain weight or build substantial muscle – but I followed his program and worked hard – and ended up leaving the program at 198 pounds. That was another reason I feel I made the team: I may not have the skills that some of the other guys did, but I would work as hard as possible to get better.

How did you find out you made the team?

Well, after a few weeks of practices and weight room visits, it was finally time to begin the season with Midnight Madness, but they still hadn’t told me if I had made the team. They just told me to show up and see what happens. So I didn’t tell anyone about it, because I didn’t know if I’d actually make it or not! Only my mom, my brother and my roommate Sam knew I had been working out with the team, and so we all kept it quiet in case things didn’t work out.

That night, I walked into the locker room, and they have two sets of names on the board based on who was going to work out in front of the fans. My name wasn’t on there, so I thought it wasn’t going to happen and I didn’t make it. I tried to stay positive as we went out on the floor to do some sort of introduction, but I was pretty upset I didn’t see my name listed.

Little did I know that when we went back in, my name indeed was on the board, and they gave me a jersey and all my other supplies to play, right on the spot!

I couldn’t believe it, and to this day, there has been nothing like running through those doors of the locker room out to the floor for Midnight Madness knowing I was part of the team. Words can’t even describe how I felt running out on the floor. And since I hadn’t told anyone about it, I kept getting calls in the days that followed from people asking why I didn’t tell them I was doing this! But it goes back to the dream I had at 9 years old and keeping it away from people who would try to talk me out of playing basketball for UC – and realizing that dream in real life was awesome.

Look for more from our interview with Alex tomorrow!

wine me, dine me's Guide to UC Eating

2011-05-12T11:00:00.014-04:00

I started at UC right at the tail end of a lot of classic UC dining. In 1999, Inn the Wood was still around, Mr. Jim's was going strong, and the Catskeller was still a dark, dank basement. Unfortunately, all of those places are gone now-- with the exception of the Catskeller, which lives on in a new incarnation in Tangeman Center. So you're back on campus, and you want a taste of your college life. Where do you go? You can stick to campus if you want-- but if you branch out just a little, you can grab many of the tastes that you're familiar with.

Mr. Jim's: I can't tell you how many times I had hash browns from Mr. Jim's in the morning, usually out of "the bubbles" that appeared on campus in the early 2000s. Once the "bubbles" disappeared and the Tangeman Center reopened, Mr. Jim's disappeared-- a sad day for every UC student. If you want that steak fried with dipping cheese or those fabulous hash browns, a quick trip over the border to Indiana will take you to Mr.Jim's in West Harrison, Indiana. They have an expanded menu, and are open all Alumni Weekend long.

Inn the Wood: Two words: potato crisp. I was devastated when Inn the Wood was torn down because I couldn't get my potato crisp-- a staple of "drunk food" for every UC alum of a certain age. If you party a little too hard this weekend, you can pop by Keystone Bar and Grille in Covington for brunch, which features the Inn the Wood potato crisp (and it's just like you remembered).

Catskeller: The Catskeller, for my money, is one of the best-kept secrets on UC's campus. No longer just a place to hang out, it features a nearly-unrivaled craft beer menu (most of which run around $3.50-- a steal), solid sports bar-style food, and a great range of activities, including a Bell's Brewery tasting on May 18th and featured acoustic music on Thursdays. They're open 11-Midnight on Friady and 12-7 on Saturday so you can grab a brew in between activities.

You really want to go someplace that hasn't changed since you graduated. I know, nostalgia is a powerful thing. Here are a couple of options:

Christy's: If I had a nickel for every night I played darts (badly) and imbibed (really badly) at Christy's, I'd probably have a lot less student loan debt. Christy's, the basement portion of Lenhardt's, is still going strong, You can still order from the Lenhardt's menu, drink, and play darts-- and if the weather's nice, head out to the biergarten. It's pretty much exactly the way you remember it-- the faces may have changed, but yet, they're still the same.

The Mad Frog: With Sudsy Malone's long gone and Short Vine just starting a resurgence, The Mad Frog hasn't changed much at all. Still a diverse venue for many local musicians, and still salsa on Sundays.

Sitwell's: Depending on when you graduated, this is either totally different or very much the same. If you graduated in the mid-to-late 00s and never set foot in the old place, it's still exactly the same: same menu, same drinks, same spotty service. If you graduated in the late 90s, it moved up a block or so from the dank basement, and lost only a small amount of its charm. You can still get your Malabar and Mexicoco any day of the week.

Skyline: It's a Cincinnati institution, and it's still there, open late on Ludlow Avenue. It's had a bit of an exterior facelift, but the friendly, quick service and Cincinnati classic coneys and 3-ways are here to stay.

Tell us, in the comments, about your UC food memories, and for other dining options, check me out at winemedinemecincinnati.com. I'd love to hear from you, and see you around campus during Alumni Weekend.

Julie Niesen Gosdin ('05, A&S) is not only a food blogger, but a member of the McMicken Alumni Board and UCAA YP Board. She holds an M.Ed. from that other school in town, but she promises her loyalties lie with the Bearcats (at least when they're winning). You'll find her around UC's campus involved-- well, more than she was involved in as a student. Check out her Cincinnati food writing on wine me, dine me or in The Cincinnati Enquirer.

New York (Bearcat) State of Mind

2011-05-10T11:00:00.000-04:00

Shadaia Gooden, CEAS ’02, is one of the leaders of the UC Alumni Association’s New York alumni network and the Proudly Cincinnati Campaign Committee for New York. Here she talks about her UC experience and how she helps other New York alumni connect with their university.

On fellow Bearcats finding each other so far from campus:

“People who have been out of school for awhile and live somewhere else just want something to reconnect with. Any Cincinnati connection will strike a chord. ‘Oh, you went to UC? So did I!’ No matter what their UC experience has been, they still have that in common, which offers a new opportunity to re-engage in some way.”

On engaging a variety of alumni:

“The New York region is so large and people are so spread out. There’s so much diversity here — so many things that take people’s time and attention. A UC athletics event may draw a group of people, but many others aren’t interested in that. We try to find some balance in our events and activities to reach as many alumni as possible.”

On discovering each alum’s potential connection point:

“Everyone is so different — who they are, what they want. When I talk with people, I speak from my own experience, my love for UC, and memories of my time there. Sharing that enthusiasm often gets them reminiscing, and pretty soon they might want to get more involved with the local alumni network. There’s a strong group of alumni in New York, so there are lots of opportunities.”

On the origin of alumni involvement:

“Developing a strong alumni base starts freshman year or earlier — from your first interactions with the university. I was fortunate. I came to UC from Youngstown, and was driven to become very involved in many on-campus activities, from athletics to service organizations. My UC experience has a lot to do with my efforts to remain involved. Being around other alums reminds me of my experience and keeps it more alive for me.”

On the benefits of her own involvement:

“The most rewarding part is getting to meet so many people. We already have UC in common, which opens the door to wonderful connections I’d never make otherwise.”

On specific opportunities for alumni to connect and support UC:

“There’s a lot of potential with the UC Alumni Association’s 1819 and UC Where You Are initiatives. The 1819 opportunity is great for our alums who haven’t been very engaged with UC, but are open to taking a small step forward and supporting the university. UC Where You Are can help ‘make’ a UC community no matter where you live. It’s perfect for alumni who are relocating or just trying to make connections with other Bearcats in their area.”

To learn more about the UC Where You Are opportunities in the New York area, contact Shadaia Gooden at 610-209-1984 or sgooden2@gmail.com.

DAAP Student Describes Her Co-op and Study Abroad Experience in Washington, D.C. Video Tour

2011-05-06T16:53:00.000-04:00

Before coming to college, I never thought I would say in just four short years I:

Participated in eight design studios with significant professionals
Studied and researched abroad in seven different countries
Have not lived in one place for more than 12 weeks—having the opportunity to explore new cities, different thinking, and experiencing countless opportunities to network.

I received the UC International scholarship for study abroad. This monetary assistance allowed me to partake in cultural ceremonies and rituals unique to Indonesian culture, in order to successfully research the effects of tourism on local culture.

The research and study abroad programs at UC allowed me to diversify my interests, bringing me to my passion of international affairs and global humanitarian aid.

My resume speaks for itself on why I love UC. I'm Victoria Fromme, senior urban planning student in DAAP and I am Proudly Cincinnati!

Chicago Alums: Giddy-up for Bearcats at the Track!

2011-05-03T14:00:00.008-04:00

Need a cool place to watch the Preakness with your buddies? Want to catch some live racing too? Come out to the 3rd annual “Bearcats at the Track” event, taking place Saturday, May 21 from 12-6 PM at Arlington Park Racetrack!

Catch up with old friends and make new ones under the exclusive University of Cincinnati Alumni Association tent while watching a live simulcast of this year’s Preakness Stakes!

There will be live horse racing throughout the day as well as a family-friendly, picnic-style gathering – so bring your favorite food and non-alcoholic drinks to share! Food and drinks will also be available for purchase at the track.

The Chicago Alumni Network will be spreading the word about 1819, UC’s alumni giving initiative that has already increased our alumni participation rate in just a few months! Admission is $18.19 for alumni and friends in honor of this strong start, and we hope to see even more alums get involved while kicking back at the track. Children 12 and younger are $14.00.

To register, please click here.

Questions? Please contact Eli Amstader or call 708-209-7501.

Help us make this year the most successful Bearcats at the Track event yet – hope to see you there!

Mentoring Provides Valuable Opportunities for Students

2011-05-02T11:00:00.003-04:00

Josh Woeste, a Cincinnati native currently in his third year as an account major at the University of Cincinnati, credits the relationship he has with his mentor for changing his future. “My mentor was able to tell me so much that can only come from real life experience and was able to give me hands-on opportunities to see and practice the advice she had given me,” he said.

Josh was part of a pilot class at UC, offered exclusively to sophomores, junior and senior Kolodzik Business Scholars. One mandatory aspect of the class, Business Professionalism, was to participate in a mentor-mentee program that matched students with experienced professionals based on their background, interests and skills.

“I have been told all along that building a network is one of the biggest keys to success,” said Josh. “I saw this class and the required mentor-mentee relationship as a prime opportunity to network with someone who is a successful professional in the field which I hope to pursue.”

Ashley Walker, Program Coordinator in Career Services at UC’s College of Business, was responsible for pairing interested students with available mentors. “In Josh’s case, we had a student who, was looking to learn more about the accounting field and different career paths within the profession,” she explained. “So we paired him with a mentor in the accounting field who could share insights and professional skills that would add to Josh’s in-classroom experiences.”

For Josh, that meant being paired with Jackie Neumann, a UC graduate and director at Deloitte and Touche’s downtown Cincinnati office. Josh said, “I have always hoped to someday work for a Big 4 Accounting firm, but I always assumed I would have to get through school, get a job and build experience, and then look to apply for a job at a Big 4.”

But Josh’s relationship with his mentor changed all that. While shadowing Jackie one day, Josh ran into a UC student doing his co-op at Deloitte. When he found out Josh’s own co-op had fallen through, he offered to pass along Josh’s resume… which eventually landed Josh an interview, and later, an offer for a fall 2011 co-op experience.

“This definitely changed the trajectory of my career,” Josh noted. “I feel like I am leaps ahead of where I would have been otherwise. Over the next two years, I plan to focus on being successful with Deloitte and, hopefully, will be ready to advance within in the company after graduation.”

In addition to landing a co-op, Josh’s relationship with Jackie has also led to value opportunities that he may not have had the opportunity to experience without the Business Professionalism class. “I honestly feel like the information and knowledge I have gained from my mentor–mentee relationship cannot be obtained in the classroom,” said Josh. “I have been able to build a small network of professionals outside of my teachers and classmates.

“You can be told how to act in school, but there is nothing compared to real life experience,” he continued. “Through the mentorship program, I feel like I was placed in situations I have never before experienced and now know how to be a professional. I feel like these experiences will definitely place me a step ahead in my future job hunt.”

As a result of the experiences of Josh and the other students in the pilot program, the Business Professionalism class will become a full-time addition to the UC course catalog this coming fall quarter. It will be available to any business student. Josh said he plans to encourage other students to participate in the class.

Swing for the Fences – join the Chicago Alumni Network Softball Team!

2011-04-29T11:00:00.000-04:00

The Chicago Alumni Network is moving from game-watch parties to game-play parties this spring – and you can be a part of the action! At least eight to ten more alumni are needed to fill out the team in time for their first game this weekend. Need a good way to get some exercise and meet fellow UC alumni? Come on out and show us what you’ve got!

Local Bearcat hangout (and the site of many memorable game-watches over the years) O’Leary’s is a proud sponsor of the team, and will be the official post-game celebration destination. To participate, please email Chicago Network Leader (and recent UC Alumni Association Distinguished Service Award Winner!) Dave Watkins at dwatkins@mymdu.com.

The cost is $50 per person, which included seven regular season games, a team t-shirt, and some free food and drink from O’Leary’s.

Want more details? The league is a 12-inch co-ed softball league and will play at the Lincoln Park South fields, right by the Lincoln Park Zoo and across from North Ave. Beach. Games are every Saturday and the season begins April 30.

It’s not too late to get in the game and represent the “C” in Chi-town!

UC Alum Recognized for his Service with Young Alumni Award

2011-04-28T11:00:00.001-04:00

During his time at the University of Cincinnati, Drew McKenzie was an engaged leader. He served as president of the Class of 2005 and was active in UC's Greek Life.

After graduation, Drew transitioned into his new role as a dedicated UC alum. He has been a regular volunteer for UC, serving as a docent for the Art and Architecture programs. He is the current co-chair for the Greek Affairs Alumni Council at the Alumni Association and served as president of the Beta Diogenes Club. Drew also remains active with his fraternity, currently serving as a board member for the chapter's building company.

Drew's dedication to UC has been boundless, which is why he is this year's Jeffrey Hurwitz Young Alumni Outstanding Achievement Award recipient. He has always gone above and beyond the call to lead others - both as a student and an alumnus. His service continues to leave a lasting impression.

Check out our interview with Drew and let us know if you have memories of Drew to share! Tell us your own story or congratulate him below.

Remember to keep an eye out for more upcoming posts about this year's UC Day Award winners.

Get your clubs ready for the Columbus Golf Outing!

2011-04-27T11:00:00.004-04:00

Outside of the Cincinnati area, UC alumni living in the same city share a strong common bond. If we know each other already, we immediately feel that sense of camaraderie. If we meet and learn each other’s college lineage by accident, we’re apt to exclaim, “Hey, you’re a Bearcat, too? Great!” And maybe we even add the trademark “Ooooooohhhhhh, U-C!!!” with the signature “UC” arm gesture!

I think that feeling of brotherhood may be even stronger here in Columbus. Even though we’re less than 100 miles up I-71 from campus, sometimes it can feel like we’re on another planet. Since we’re surrounded by the alumni and influence of another university, it’s extra fun and rewarding to connect with fellow Bearcats among all the Buckeyes. After all, we know where we came from, we know how much our UC experience means in our lives, we know how much UC has advanced in recent years, so we are very Proudly Cincinnati.

There are more than 6,700 UC alumni in central Ohio, and our activity level is rising along with the fortunes of our alma mater. Greater Columbus annually sends an increasing number of students to UC (click here to see a photo album of the most recent Senior Sendoff event, where alums give our area’s UC freshmen-to-be a warm welcome to the UC family). And each year, one outstanding high school senior receives scholarship aid from the Central Ohio Regional Alumni Network to attend UC.

That scholarship fund, as well as UC Athletics, will benefit from our third annual Central Ohio Regional Network Golf Outing coming up on Monday, June 27, at the Riviera Golf Club in Dublin. In the first two years of the golf outing, we have raised about $20,000 for the Central Ohio Regional Alumni Network Scholarship Fund and UC Athletics.

If you like to be with other Bearcats … If you like to play golf and support a great cause … If you want to meet our special guests, including UC Football Coach Butch Jones, former NCAA and Olympic champion George Wilson and his UC teammate, former basketball coach Tony Yates … Then please plan to join us. Click here for more details.

And if you want to get more involved in UC Alumni Association or Proudly Cincinnati Campaign activities in the Columbus area, please contact me at besturm@columbus.rr.com or by phone – work 614-228-1101 or home 614-985-1128. We’re in the midst of our 1819 National Face-Off competition right now, so if you’re not currently supporting UC — even in a small way — this is a great opportunity to pitch in!

- Contributed by Brad Sturm, A&S '82

UC celebrates Earth Week

2011-04-21T12:18:00.001-04:00

UC Students plant trees

Earth Day is all about demonstrating commitment to environmental protection and sustainability, and the University of Cincinnati is no exception. UC has been celebrating Earth Week on campus, with various events geared towards environmental awareness and responsibility.

Bearcat Bike Share

The Princeton Review also recently named UC among the nation’s leading green universities for the second year in a row. This was in part thanks to:

UC's increased commitment to recycling on campus
Bearcat Bike Share, reducing carbon emissions through free bike rentals
LEED certification of six academic buildings, including one Silver and one Gold

UC DAAP students have also been hard at work with finding eco-friendly design solutions, recently winning the International Staples EcoEasy Challenge.

Earth Day is a great time to get out and do something good for nature, with events being held nationwide. Click here to find an event near you!

Game on Bearcats: May the best city win!

2011-04-13T17:30:00.004-04:00

Twenty alumni cities. Only one of them will bring home the prize. The UC Alumni Association is proud to present...

Bearcats nationwide are putting their game faces on for the 1819 National Alumni Face-Off. From now until June 30th, alumni networks from coast to coast will be facing off to prove which has the most UC pride and 1819 spirit.

So maybe you're in Chicago, Atlanta, DC or even all the way out in California! Here's your chance to demonstrate your pride in UC - and your city - all at once. With each $18.19 gift, your local Bearcat network will go up in the ranks. In the end, the city with the highest alumni participation rate will receive national bragging rights and some fun Bearcat prizes to help keep UC close to home.

So don't let other Bearcat cities outshine yours. Check out the current standings and if you haven't given back to UC yet this year, now's your chance to help your city rise above the rest!

Recent Speaker and Scholarship Recipient Reflects Upon Florida Event and Donor Appreciation

2011-04-11T18:26:00.043-04:00

The email asked: "Are you on co-op in Florida and available to speak at our UC event?" After instantly replying "I am at your service," I thought-- I have no clue who and what I just agreed to. But boy am I glad I did! Later, I uncovered that I agreed to be a student ambassador and speaker at a Proudly Cincinnati: Tower of Strength, Rock of Truth event in Florida this past February.

It was truly inspirational to stand in front of innovative and motivational UC alumni and share my experience of how UC changed my own life. My palms were a bit sweaty, yes. However, after being so warmly welcomed in the receptions by President Williams, Dean Chatterjee, and the hospitable UC Foundation and alumni attendees, I further solidified why I love UC-- the faculty and alumni offer tremendous support.

Without the support of UC donors, I would have never been able to participate in so many wonderful opportunities--studying, researching, and working abroad in seven different countries in just four short years. I owe tremendous thanks for the scholarships, fellowships, and co-op opportunities that were made possible by UC alumni, faculty, staff, and friends. It was equally rewarding to hear how UC impacted so many people's lives at this recent event in Florida.

No matter where I may be in this world, one thing is certain--I proudly display my convocation pin I received on my first day of college (which has traveled with me all over the globe), as I am always Proudly Cincinnati.

~Victoria Fromme
senior urban planning student in DAAP

If you missed Victoria's live account of her UC experience during UC's February appearances in Orlando and Naples, check out the video above. Her story should make us all Proudly Cincinnati!

Up Close with our UC Day Alumni Honorees – Meet Chicago’s Dave Watkins

2011-04-07T17:33:00.000-04:00

Congratulations to Chicago Alumni Network leader (and regular UC Where You Are blog contributor) Dave Watkins! He’s this year’s winner of the UC Alumni Association’s Distinguished Service Award, which will be presented June 9 as part of the UC Day Celebration at the Kingsgate Marriot on UC’s campus. (Event registration is now open, and a complete list of award winners is available here.)

Dave was nominated for his tenacity and patience in establishing a considerable alumni presence in Chicago. His efforts have turned into the model for building a successful, engaged network of alumni. Chicagoans for Cincy is now the fifth largest contingent of Bearcats outside of Cincinnati!

Distinguished Service Award Winner David Watkins (pictured on the left)
tailgating with fellow UC alums at a Chicago Cubs game

“I’m honored to be recognized by the Alumni Association for my activities in Chicago. It means a lot to join the ranks of previous award winners like Bob Dobbs, Glenn Sample, Russell Myers, and many other UC legends. This accomplishment wouldn’t be possible without the great folks I’ve worked with over the years, people like Bob and Rose Fealy, Eva Maddox, Chris and Spes Mekus, Mark and Mary Kay Mitters, and so many others. This award isn’t just for me; it’s for all Chicago alumni who have gotten involved to support their alma mater and connect as alumni and friends.”

When Dave first started working with the Alumni Association more than 15 years ago, he literally started from the ground up – sometimes holding events that would attract only a few people. Dave’s nominator, friend and fellow Bearcat Markus Kremer, notes that this passion existed far before he began building the network:

"As soon as I met Dave back in 1987 I realized how much he cared for the University. Dave considered it a privilege to provide support to the University while in school. That same level of caring, if not more, has been carried through to his alumni years. He continues to develop meaningful relationships with alumni in the area and always makes himself available to other alumni who visit, live, or work in the Chicago area. Dave sets an example for other network leaders and alums with his continued efforts to support and promote the University of Cincinnati at all times.”

You might even say that Dave's enthusiasm has had a ripple effect with other Bearcat networks across the country. Case in point...Markus was so inspired by Dave's spirit of volunteerism that he took it upon himself to revitalize Milwaukee's Bearcat network after making it his new home in 2006. The network now boasts several big events a year to keep its more than 800 UC alumni connected.

Got your own great Dave story to share, or want to congratulate him yourself? Weigh in by commenting below! And keep an eye out for more about our UC Day Award Winners before the big day June 9th!