UC Where You Are is Moving!

The UC Where You Are blog is no longer where you are -- the page has moved and been rebranded! The new blog, called OneUC, will continue to share stories important to University of Cincinnati alumni and friends but will feature more news, events and photos. Visitors to the new blog can subscribe to receive an email each time a post is published and will also have access to the new OneUC e-newsletter.

Check out the new and improved OneUC blog at oneuc.wordpress.com. And, as always, thanks for reading!

Alumni Weekend Tugs Bearcats Back to Campus

The University of Cincinnati Alumni Association (UCAA) and the various UC colleges expect “many happy Alumni Weekend. Hundreds of alumni are expected back to campus — whichever UC campus they attended — to visit with old and new friends and connect with their university.

returns” for April’s annual

Wait … Doesn’t all of that happen in the fall at Homecoming? It sure does — but Alumni Weekend is the spring version of Homecoming, and it’s growing. Each year more colleges participate in the festivities with programs customized for their particular family of grads. The festivities are anchored by a number of all-university events.

Alumni Weekend is billed to run Friday through Sunday, April 11-13, but it actually begins Thursday, April 10, with an Athletics breakfast and golf outing for football lettermen alumni, a Distinguished Awards Celebration and Alumni Silent Auction at UC Blue Ash, and President Ono’s State of the University address and Faculty Awards Celebration.

College events dominate the next two days and evenings, and the noon MainStreet Stride foot parade through the heart of campus marks the midpoint of Friday’s agenda. Then everyone is invited to an all-alumni luncheon (Skyline and Graeter’s!) midday Saturday at Myers Alumni Center. The iconic Sigma Sigma Carnival will be held Saturday evening on Sigma Sigma Commons.

The weekend officially ends with Sunday’s Golden Bearcats Brunch, where the Class of 1964 will be inducted into the Golden Bearcats Club at the Alumni Center.

For avid Bearcat-watchers, the UC Baseball team is playing a three-game home series against Connecticut all weekend, and the UC Track & Field squad is hosting the All-Ohio Championships Friday and Saturday.

“Staying connected to the university has tremendous value for alumni throughout their lives,” said Dee Robinson, UCAA’s interim executive director. “All of us on campus are thrilled to provide this important springtime opportunity to welcome Bearcats home.”

Pre-Tournament Event: Men’s Basketball Coach to Tip Off Alumni Reception

Sean Kilpatrick

Memphis, Tenn.’s basketball arena is called FedExForum. The Cincinnati Bearcats will look to live up to that name Thursday by delivering big in the first game of the American Athletic Conference (AAC) Tournament. Tickets are still available and can be purchased here.

Prior to tip-off, University of Cincinnati (UC) alumni will be treated to more first-class action free reception featuring Coach Mick Cronin and Mike Bohn, UC’s new athletic director. Alumni and fans will enjoy appetizers, drinks and a cash bar -- all from the comfort of the conveniently located Westin Hotel on Lt. George W. Lee Ave.

IF YOU GO

What: AAC Tournament Alumni Reception

When: 4-6 p.m. Thursday, March 13

Where: Westin Hotel on Lt. George W. Lee Ave.

Additional details: Free; appearances by Coach Mike Cronin and UC Athletic Director Mike Bohn

Alumni can also meet up with fellow Bearcats fans before and after every UC game at the tournament’s official “Bearcats Hangout,” Alfred’s on Beale. The eatery, known for its music and dancing, is located on Beale Street alongside the FedExForum. For those not in the Memphis area, check out Bearcats Hangouts that may be occurring in a location closer to home by clicking here.

Representing UC in London

The Bearcats may have suffered a loss this past Saturday, but they were still supported by UC fans all the way in London! Local alumna, Lauren Kelly, hosted a game-watch at the Hippodrome in the heart of Leicester Square. Not only was there a great turnout, but they were able to enjoy some Cincinnati favorites, like Skyline, as they cheered on their favorite Cincinnati team.

It is always great to hear about UC alums getting together, but even better when they are showing their UC spirit thousands of miles away. A big thank you to Lauren and the proud alumni who joined her for this international game-watch. 

UC Alums Celebrate #UCLove

Since they met as UC students, David and Kari Kolb thought it was only appropriate that they got married on UC’s campus at the Tangeman University Center years later. David and Kari met while working their way through college at the UC Campus Recreation Center.

“Because we met at UC, saying ‘I do’ right there in front of TUC really brought everything full circle,” said Kari.

They had a full-blown bearcat wedding! From the school colors donned on the bridesmaid dresses, to the table numbers being their favorite UC basketball players and a C-Paw ice luge, David and Kari showed their #UCLove on the best day of their lives. A bearcat bobble head was even given as favors to the guests.

David sends red roses, the same as her wedding bouquet, to Kari’s work every year to celebrate Valentine’s Day. This is another honor to their #UCLove. And, they said they also try to make the day very special for their two young daughters, who they refer to as future bearcats.

It is easy to say that David and Kari embody what it means to have #UCLove for each other and their alma mater. Check out other love stories and tell us what you love about UC on Twitter. 

#UCLove Stories

#UCLove has been part of so many lives over the years. So we thought we’d share some of our favorite UC Love Stories with you – our UC family!  

UC alums, Breanna and Todd Praechter, met while working on a service-filled trip with the UC student organization, Serve Beyond Cincinnati. They have been married since 2011.

Bob and Phyllis Favorite are proud UC alums who also met while attending UC in the 1970s. They now live in Pennsylvania but make it a point to support their alma mater where they fell in love.

After meeting in a mass communication class, Tom and Chris Carleton could not imagine a life without each other or UC. They admit that their social calendars will often coincide with UC’s.

Valentine’s Day is a special day to celebrate that special someone. We’re so happy that UC has impacted lives in such positive, heartfelt ways. Check out more stories and tell us what you love about UC on Twitter.

UC Alumna Hosts Game-Watch in London

If you live overseas in the London area, get ready! Local alumna, Lauren Kelly, is hosting a game-watch on February 22 as the Bearcats take on the Louisville Cardinals. This has always been huge a rivalry and this time the Cardinals will be seeking revenge as the Bearcats just defeated them on January 30.

Join fellow alumni at the Hippodrome in the heart of Leicester Square on February 22 at 5 p.m., London time. If you are missing some of your Cincinnati favorites, don’t worry! The UC Alumni Association is sending Cincinnati chili to be served alongside the American sports bar menu at the Hippodrome.

This is great opportunity for our international alumni to get together and cheer on the UC Bearcats.

Who: UC Alumni in the Greater London area

What: UC Bearcats vs. Louisville Cardinals game-watch

Where: TheHippodrome in the heart of Leicester Square

When: February 22, 2014 at 5 p.m.

How: RSVP to Lauren Kelly or Allison Hoehn

For more information on how to start a game-watch near you, email Allison Hoehn. 

Community Service Projects Bring UC Alums Together

When you think of UC alumni events in cities across the country, the first image might be a restaurant or bar with dozens of alums hanging out to watch the Bearcats basketball or football team in a big game on the big screen.

While that will always be a staple of UC camaraderie in the UC Alumni Association’s regional alumni networks, there is a concerted effort by UCAA and the alumni in those cities to diversify their activities and, in the process, bring more alumni into the network circle. Two recent examples took place in Dayton, Ohio, and Washington D.C.

 

Dennis Hole, A&S ’06, contacted a Dayton-area Toys for Tots drive and worked with Pete Hilgeman, Bus ’09, who offered his Dayton Beer Company microbrewery as a collection point. Hilgeman’s establishment was also the site for December’s UC-Xavier Crosstown Classic watch-party on Dec. 14. The event was communicated via email and social media. A partnership with Skyline Chili promised “Bring a toy, get a free cheese coney.” Even when the Dayton Beer Company was not hosting a UC event, the collection box filled up repeatedly during the campaign.

“We were surprised at the quality of the toys — how generous people were,” Hole said of the ongoing response. “This sort of initiative appeals to alumni who might not gravitate toward the purely sports-related events. This has really opened up people’s minds to what can be done.”

A different kind of community service event took place right across the Potomac from Washington on the same day as the Crosstown Classic. That morning, 24 UC alumni and family members met at Arlington National Cemetery to participate in the annual Wreaths Across America Day, when grateful and reflective citizens place wreaths on the graves of veterans to remember and honor their service and sacrifice.

“I had done this previously with a fraternity brother of mine and thought it was an amazing event,” said D.C. network leader Adam Thurn, CEAS ’10. “It’s extremely powerful and moving, and offers a firsthand look at the losses sustained to ensure our freedoms. Many of the volunteers brought their children and I’m sure were

able to have a teaching moment with them.”

“I heard many of the participants say they were happy to see our D.C. alumni network do something like this,” Thurn said. “We want to continue providing different options for becoming engaged with the UC Alumni Association."

Pre-Game Events: Men's Basketball vs. Louisville and SMU

Looking to cheer on UC's Men's Basketball team? Join fellow alums for a basketball pre-game event to support the Bearcats as they take on Louisville and SMU.

UC @ Louisville Pre-Game Event

• When:  Thursday, Jan. 30 from 4 - 6:30 p.m.
• Where:  Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant
                400 S. 4th St.
                Louisville, KY 40202
• Cost:  Cash Bar / Menu Available
• How:  RSVP to Allison Hoehn

Looking for tickets to the game? Click here to order game tickets through UC Athletics.

UC @ SMU Pre-Game Event

• When:  Saturday, Feb. 8 from 4 - 6 p.m. CST, Game Tip-Off @ 6:30 p.m.
• Where:  The Nodding Donkey Sports Saloon
               5600 SMU Blvd, Suite 120
               Dallas, TX 75206
• Cost:  $15 - Includes food and non-alcoholic refreshments
• How:  Click here to RSVP

For more information, contact Allison Hoehn. 

UC vs. UNC in 2013 Belk Bowl

If you’re planning on watching the University of Cincinnati take on the University of North Carolina in the 2013 Belk Bowl on Dec. 28, consider cheering on the ‘cats with fellow alumni in your city! The University of Cincinnati Alumni Association has several game watches scheduled in cities across the country. Check the list below for information on your city’s game watch. If your city is not featured below and you’re interested in organizing a game watch, please contact Allison Hoehn at the UC Alumni Association.

• Boston Network:  Dan Fonovic, The Baseball Tavern
  1270 Boylston St., Boston, MA
• Columbus Network: Mark Hale, Gresso’s German Village
  961 S High Street Columbus, OH

• Dayton Network: Dennis Hole, Dayton Beer Company
  912 East Dorthy Lane Kettering, OH

• Dallas Network: Mark Schmitmeyer, The Nodding Donkey Kitchen & Sports Saloon
  5600 SMU Boulevard, Suite 120 Dallas, TX
• Denver Network:  John Messiter, Stoney's Bar & Grill
  1111 Lincoln Street, Denver, CO 

• Miami Network: Sandra Van Buskirk, Skyline Chili
  2834 North University Sunrise, FL

• Phoenix Network: Brian Moore, Spoke and Wheel Tavern and Eatery
  8525 N. Central Avenue Phoenix, AZ