2013 Grad Lives UC Life to the Fullest

Carlo Cruz

Enjoyably peculiar.

That’s how recent graduate Carlo Cruz describes his time at UC – an impressive career that saw him not only gain a world-class education, but also a new perspective on himself and the world.

“UC provided a unique opportunity to discover a diverse life, not only in academia, but also socially and culturally as well,” says Carlo.  “For instance, I have spent the past several years traveling to countries like South Korea, India, and Chile through the study abroad program and witnessing a variety of cultures along the way.  UC has allowed me to embrace these differences and truly develop myself as a globally conscious individual.”

Carlo participated in the innovative ACCEND program, which allows students to earn a bachelors degree in their chosen field as well as an MBA in five years. He ended up earning a BS in Chemical Engineering with minors in Chemistry and Materials Science in addition to his Business degree.

“My engineering background serves as a great backbone of technical skills, and my business education has furthered my skills in strategic planning, marketing, and interpersonal development,” Carlo says. “My education has allowed me to become not only an analytical and rational professional, but also a forward-thinking and business oriented individual”

His journey was supported and enhanced by the generosity of others. Carlo received a scholarship through the Darwin T. Turner Scholars program, which was essential to his success in the classroom and allowed him to take part in multiple activities and clubs. The Turner Scholars Program is one of the oldest ethnic scholarship programs in America and is named after Dr. Darwin T. Turner, the youngest person ever to graduate from UC.

Carlo made the most of his opportunity, and ended up being a part of so many groups that one résumé could barely contain them.

“In addition to the Darwin T. Turner scholars program,” Carlo remembers, “I was involved with the International Dance Team (Dhadak), the Midwest Dhamaka, the Asian American Association, the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers, Student Government, the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, and the News Record to name a few organizations.”

Not only did Carlo participate, he even took the lead in planning and executing a charity Bollywood Dance Competition (known as the Midwest Dhamaka) with Saloni Hemani. The event featured more than 150 dancers and received tremendous support from the community, who bought every available ticket for the event and enthusiastically applauded their performances.

“The sold out crowd was incredible, as well as the joyous feedback we received after the event, says Carlo. “It was my favorite UC memory and speaks to one of the best qualities of this university: the embrace of diversity.”

Another well-known cornerstone of UC, cooperative education, is what provided Carlo a springboard to employment after graduation. In addition to working as a student researcher and at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, he co-oped at Toyota Engineering and Manufacturing.

“These cumulative experiences allowed me to integrate my analytical mindset to the business world,” says Carlo. “I was able to witness problems common to the workplace will enhancing my knowledge of corporate culture and business strategy.”

Just this month, Carlo began working as a full-time specialist at Toyota. And while he has completed his time at UC, he doesn’t plan on giving up his pursuit of multiple activities.

“I plan to continue as a freelance photographer and videographer,” he says.

Thanks to the generosity of Bearcats around the world, more than $101 million has been committed to scholarships and financial aid during the Proudly Cincinnati Campaign, the largest and most successful fundraising effort in UC history. In addition, more than 480 new scholarship funds were created, and nearly 11,000 students (including Carlo) who received scholarship support have graduated during the campaign. Learn more here.

Did you receive a scholarship at UC? Tell us about your experience with a comment below.

UC Alumni Give Thanks: Gibson Family Starts Bearcat Legacy

Many UC alumni are thankful for their UC education and experience. Follow along with this series through November (also known as the thankful month) as UC alumni give thanks to UC. If you would like to share your story and show your appreciation for the university, please e-mail proudlycincinnati@uc.edu.

Gibson, his wife Jami and Coach Jones

Justin Gibson is the first generation in a family leaving a strong Bearcat legacy. He received his BBA from the Carl H. Lindner College of Business in 2005. His wife Jami earned her master's in nursing in June 2012 and accepted a position with UC Health. His sister received her BS in criminal justice in 2011 and will finish her master's in community planning in 2013. His brother-in-law received his BA in organizational leadership in June 2008. Gibson and his wife look forward to seeing their children and grand children attend UC.  

Why are you thankful for your UC experience?
My UC experience is everything to me!  Everything I have I owe to the cultivation I received during my time as an undergraduate – from my Darwin T. Turner scholarship, to serving as student body vice president, to joining my fraternity, and my service learning trip to build a Habitat for Humanity house in Costa Rica.

How has your UC education helped you get where you are today?

Gibson, his wife and daughter cheering on the Bearcats

My professors and the support staff of the university instilled in me that the only part of a well-rounded collegiate experience is actually spent in the classroom.  Being involved in extra curricular activities, participating in philanthropic efforts, and showing school spirit help students develop their leadership and social attributes. Combined with a world-class education, UC students enter the workforce as very competitive job candidates.

What’s your favorite UC memory?
It is very hard to limit it to just one, but it had to be commencement.  Walking across the stage, donned in my cap and gown, in front of my family, friends and peers, I transitioned from student to alumnus. This was one of the most moving days of my life.  The faculty, staff and UC President were so excited for us. That memory is one of the many reasons why I am engaged with UC today.

Why are you Proudly Cincinnati?
I am Proudly Cincinnati because no matter how much I try to do for my alma mater, she continues to give me more.  I’ve met so many great people in my time here who have enriched my life, and my wife’s life, and our common bond is the University of Cincinnati.  And under the direction of President Ono, I can’t wait to see what my 13-month-old daughter Sydnee has to look forward to when she arrives in about 17 years!

Why are you thankful for the Unversity of Cincinnati? Let us know by commenting below!

Impacting Education

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.

UC alumnus makes lemonade out of lemons

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?