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. 

#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. 

Time is running out...

If you know an alum that you think deserves recognition, there are only a few weeks left to nominate them for a UC Distinguished Alumni Award! The deadline for the 2014 UC Distinguished Alumni Celebration nominations is December 18^th. The celebration will be Thursday, June 12^th at the Kingsgate Marriott on the UC Campus. The UC Alumni Association holds this annual event to recognize and celebrate the many contributions and overall excellence of UC alumni in countless fields of endeavor, throughout the world.

Each year, four awards are given to the top nominated alumni:

The William Howard Taft Medal Award is given to an alumnus of UC solely for notable achievement in his or her field. The award is in honor of Dr. William Howard Taft, 27^th president of the United States.

 The Alumni Distinguished Service Award is given to a dedicated alumni who make an outstanding contribution to UC by aiding the advancement of the university through their service.

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

The Jeffrey Hurwitz Young Alumni Outstanding Achievement Award is given to a UC graduate who is 35 years old or younger for their significant professional achievement in his or her field and continued service to the university and community. The award is in honor of Jeffrey Hurwitz, former president of the UC Alumni Association.

The Distinguished Alumni Celebration is an exciting time for alumni to get together and celebrate those who have truly made a difference. To see videos of 2013 award recipients, click here.

Remember, December 18^th is fast approaching! Submit your nominations before it is too late! 

Flashback Friday: Call for Entries!

As homecoming nears, you likely reminisce about your experiences at the University of Cincinnati. You might even pull out some old photos to share with other alumni, friends, and family.

Now you have a chance to share these photos with other alumni across the country. The University of Cincinnati Alumni Association is asking alumni to share their favorite UC memories and photos on the UC Alumni Association Facebook page. Each week, the alumni Facebook page will post a "Flashback Friday," providing alumni with a chance to reminisce about their alma mater. 

To submit a photo, go to the UC Alumni Association Facebook page and click the "message" button to send a message with your flashback photos. Please include a caption for the photo and your name and graduation year. Inappropriate photos will not be accepted or posted on the UC Alumni Association Facebook page. Read more about the UC Alumni Association's social media guidelines here. 

Submit your photos and let's flashback to great red and black memories!

@PrezOno Energizes Boston

UC President Santa Ono kicked off the 2^nd annual #HottestCollegeInAmerica tour in Boston on August 1st with an energetic room full of alumni, prospective students, current and co-op students, parents and friends of UC. Ono started off the night with an address on the state of the University.

Among the many speakers that evening were Dean Greer Glazer from the College of Nursing and co-op student Kate Davis from the College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning (DAAP). Dean Glazer spoke about the importance of grants and private support, and progress at the College of Nursing. Davis, who is currently doing her co-op in Boston, discussed what it was like to be a co-op student at UC.

The #HottestCollegeInAmerica tour has solidified and charged UC alumni networks around the country to have an even greater affinity with their alma mater. The tour is presented and coordinated by the UC Alumni Association and is named for Ono’s twitter hashtag that promotes UC as the “#HottestCollegeInAmerica” on social media.

The Boston tour stop was the first stop on the 17 city tour ending in Baltimore, Md. on June 11, 2014. Ono will travel across the country throughout the next year, hitting many major cities in order to reach as many fellow and potential Bearcats as possible. Check out photos from the event on Facebook.

Click here to check out the rest of the #HottestCollegeInAmerica tour schedule. Follow @PrezOno on his journey across the country.

Have you visited with Ono at previous tour stops? Comment below about your favorite part of President Ono’s visit to your city! 

Santa Comes to Town Early This Year

President Ono speaks with alumni in Dayton. 

President Santa Ono is at it again. He will kick off the 2013-2014 #HottestCollegeInAmerica Tour in Boston on Aug. 1, 2013 at the Algonquin Club of Boston at 6:30 p.m. The #HottestCollegeInAmerica Tour provides alumni, prospective students, current and co-op students, parents and friends of UC with an opportunity to meet President Ono in various cities around the country.

 Fellow Bearcats are encouraged to participate during the tour stops, and ask questions about the university.  Ono offers a very open environment with a candid Q&A session after his presidential presentation.
Presented and coordinated by the UC Alumni Association, the tour is named for Ono’s Twitter hashtag that promotes UC as the “#HottestCollegeinAmerica” on social media.

The Boston tour stop is the first stop on a 17 city tour ending in Baltimore, Md. on June 11, 2014. Ono will travel from coast to coast throughout the next year, hitting many major cities in order to reach as many fellow and potential bearcats as possible.

Click here to register for the #HottestCollegeInAmerica Tour stop in Boston.  Follow @PrezOno on his journey across the country, and check back for registration links for other tour stops.

Have you visited with President Ono at previous tour stops? Comment below about your favorite part of President Ono’s visit to your city!

‘Bearcat Hangouts’: Bringing Alumni Together in Your City

Say you live in the Chicago area — long-time resident or newly relocated. You love watching your Bearcats, ideally with other UC alums. What’s a Chicagolander to do?

2010 UC vs. Fresno State game watch at O'Leary's in Chicago

That’s an easy answer:  Get to O’Leary’s in the River North area. It’s been Chicago’s Bearcat Bar since the fall of 2004. Alumni network leader Dave Watkins, A&S ’92, happened to be dining there and started chatting with the owner because he needed a venue for his upcoming UC-XU Crosstown Shootout game-watch.

“Official” Bearcat hangouts like O’Leary’s act like glue for alums in cities with UC Alumni Association-coordinated networks.

“Everyone knows to head to O’Leary’s and they’ll find other Bearcats watching the UC games,” Watkins said. “And it isn’t just about sports — it’s great to just socialize with someone who can relate to going to UC.”

The Washington D.C. counterpart to O’Leary’s is Penn Quarter Sports Tavern. A couple years ago, Adam Thurn and a friend wanted a place to watch Bearcats games and looked near a metro stop, since traffic and parking can be problems in D.C.  Penn Quarter fit the bill, and it has hosted eight football and three basketball game-watch parties, plus a Bearcats Happy Hour, in the past year.

Inflatable Bearcat in front of O'Leary's

“Having a place everyone knows about, and which doesn’t vary from week to week, simplifies our planning and provides continuity for alumni here,” said Thurn, CEAS ’10, who helps lead the D.C. network.

In Columbus, Bearcats gather at Gresso’s, whose owner works closely with the local UC group, even providing menus with dishes renamed with a Bearcats theme. That key ingredient — an interested, hands-on owner who can spot new business potential — is crucial in setting up a “Bearcat hangout.”

“You need to find an owner who is actively engaged in day-to-day operations, because it’s easier to get the support you need right away without going through a middleman,” said Andrew Maurer, CEAS ’09, of Columbus.

Building such a relationship with the owner and management benefits everyone involved.

“We generate a lot of money for them, so the people at O’Leary’s have been great to us,” Watkins said. “They’ll use Montgomery Inn sauce on their pulled pork sandwich and discount it for us a couple times a year. If I provide the Skyline, they’ll provide the fixings for coneys. One of their bartenders has even concocted a ‘Bearcat Shot.’”

Young Bearcats fan at Gresso's

Veteran network leaders feel that establishing, promoting and cultivating a “Bearcat hangout” is a necessity in growing a vital alumni network.

“The hangouts make it much easier for those who are just getting involved,” said Columbus’ Shaun Simpson, Bus ’00. “Sporting events provide a common bond which makes it easier to engage with each other and grow the group.”

For alumni in other cities looking to develop a “home base” for alumni activities, the Chicago, Washington and Columbus network leaders suggest a simple, two-step process:

1. Find the right combination of an accessible location and an enthusiastic owner who sees the value of working with you. It also helps if the venue has private areas that can host closed events.
2. Once you find such a place, stay with it. Promote it virally, via social media and other channels in the city. And at events, make it look like a Bearcat hangout as much as possible.

“It’s been the single most important thing we’ve done to grow our Chicago network,” Watkins said. “Whether they’re regulars here, they have moved away but are back in town visiting, or they’re just passing through, alums love having a place to watch the game with other UC people and feel at home. One told me, ‘It’s like Homecoming without the parade!’”

Want to start up a “Bearcat hangout” in your city? Contact Sam Walston at Sam.Walston@uc.edu or 513-556-4404.

What's your favorite "Bearcat hangout"? Let us know with a comment below!

Five Outstanding UC Alumni Recognized for Accomplishments

Last weekend, the Kingsgate Marriott was packed full of the University of Cincinnati’s finest alumni, supporters, leaders, faculty, and staff.  They gathered to celebrate the accomplishments of five outstanding alumni for the UC Distinguished Alumni Celebration, which took place Thursday, June 13, 2013.

The annual event is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the many contributions and overall excellence of UC alumni in countless fields of endeavor throughout the world.  The event recognized five alumni and was hosted by Dan Hoard, radio voice of the Cincinnati Bengals and UC Football and Basketball teams.

Dr. Joseph P. Broderick

Dr. Joseph P. Broderick (Med ’82) was honored with the William Howard Taft Medal for Notable Achievement for his notable achievements in the medical field.  He is one of the world’s foremost researchers, teachers, physicians, and leaders in battling the effects of stroke, and has attracted over $82 million in sponsored research funding over the last 15 years.

Bill Keating, Jr. 

Bill Keating, Jr.  (Bus ’76, Law ’79) was awarded the Alumni Distinguished Service Award for his outstanding, generous contributions to UC.  He compiled a Hall of Fame career through academic and swimming excellence at St. Xavier High School. He was awarded the coveted Jimmy Nippert Award as UC’s outstanding graduating student-athlete.  After graduating from UC Law School, Keating has had a successful career with Keating Muething & Klekamp and dedicates his time and energy to a variety of community causes.

Dr. Jeffrey T. Burgin, Jr.

Dr. Jeffrey T. Burgin, Jr. (A&S ’97) was awarded the UC Alumni Association Mosaic Award for his leadership in our shared community.  He embodied the message of learning, cultural growth, and service to others as his career in higher education has taken him to six universities through the eastern half of the United States.  He credits his time at UC for building  the foundation of his career, which is responsible for uniting diverse groups of students, facilitating multicultural appreciation, and diligently overseeing aspects of student well being.

Dr. Robert A. Coppola

Dr. Robert A. Coppola (CECH ’00) and Robert E. Richardson, Jr. (CEAS ’02, Law ’05) both received the Jeffrey Hurwitz Young Alumni Outstanding Achievement Award for continued service and involvement with UC during significant professional achievement.  All awardees were required to be 35 years or younger and a UC graduate.

Coppola was a Bearcat in both football and baseball, was active in his fraternity, and grew his business All Star Chiropractic in Northern Kentucky to a million-dollar business in just a few years.  He has been involved with a range of philanthropic activities, from holiday gift and food drives to youth mentoring and counseling to volunteer leadership in cancer-fighting fundraising.  His passion for UC continues to show in his support and leadership for a variety of efforts at the university.

Robert E. Richardson, Jr.

Richardson established the first college chapter of the NAACP in the Tristate, was elected Student Body President his senior year, and was consequently awarded the Presidential Leadership Medal of Excellence.  He currently serves Of Counsel with the law firm Branstetter, Stranch and Jennings, PLLC, serves as a Construction Market Representative for the Laborers-Employers Cooperation and Education Trust (LECET) for eight states, including Ohio, and was elected Secretary of his alma mater’s Board of Trustees, becoming its youngest-ever elected officer.

The event had over 20 sponsors and held a full audience, including President Santa Ono.  For more information on the UC Distinguished Alumni Celebration and the awardees, visit the Alumni Association website.

Congratulate these alumni with a comment below!

UC Alumni Give Career Advice to New Graduates

The past weekend the University of Cincinnati awarded more than 6,000 degrees. On the UC Alumni Association's Linkedin group and Facebook page, we recently asked our alumni to offer up their best advice for new college grads.

Below is a sampling of career advice from our alums. If you have any tidbits of your own you'd like to share, please feel free to comment below, or join in on the actual discussion on Linkedin!

"My career advice is to remind yourselves daily that learning is what life and work is all about. Continue to foster that interest and curiosity in the work world each day like you did through college. You are not expected to know or pretend to know everything, only continue to be interested and learn so that you can apply what you learn in the best manner possible. All of us live life and work each day. How we approach the way we live can be by design or by default (allowing life to happen to you). I recommend choosing to live it by design rather than default." - Janine Melink-Hueber

"Make your first priority finding a great company even though you may not start out with the perfect job. Then do fabulous work and spend time networking so you'll be in line for future promotions toward that dream job." - Debbie Kibler Speer

"Stand tall, be proud, your degree means as much and more than degrees from the'Elite' schools...you are ELITE!" - Robert Buchholz

"Create long term goals for yourself before beginning your job search. Write them down, and look for opportunities that will only assist you in achieving those goals! Good luck Bearcats!" - Joe Cafferty

"Your first job may not be your ideal job but you have to start somewhere!" - Kathy Imhoff-Witt

What career advice do you have for new graduates? Share your suggestions by commenting below!

Former Bearcat Brings Gourmet Grilled Cheese to Cincinnati

Emily Frank, owner of C'est Cheese

 In the past few years, food trucks have popped up in cities across the U.S., including Cincinnati.  An alumna from UC recently started her own food truck – one specializing in gourmet grilled cheese called C’est Cheese (pronounced say cheese).

After working in the corporate industry in Chicago, Emily decided to leave the Windy City and start her own business in 2011 in the Queen City. “I loved the idea of a food truck because it can reach an entire city versus a single brick and mortar location,” Emily explained. “This is how C’est Cheese was born.”

As a student at UC, Emily was involved with a sorority and student alumni council. She credits these groups for teaching her how to be a leader and providing her with skills to manage a budget.

Emily’s undergraduate experience isn’t her only connection to UC. Many of her biggest customers are UC grads, eating up the most popular menu item, the bee sting – a sweet and spicy combination of mozzarella, pepperoni, basil-infused honey, and chili flake butter.

Emily in the C'est Cheese bus

“I’m proud to be a part of such a diverse and accomplished university.  I love that we are famous for our top-notch schools such as DAAP & CCM and our athletics,” Emily said. “Going to UC is a family affair for us. I’m proud of my grandfather for being in the first class to earn a degree in broadcasting from CCM, and my sister for earning her undergrad and masters in education.  Hopefully, my nephews are future Bearcats!”

C’est Cheese occasionally stops close to UC’s campus, and even parks outside of the UC Alumni Association before all home football games, bringing cheesy goodness to alumni tailgating at the Bearcat Blitz. To find out if C’est Cheese will be in your neighborhood, visit her Facebook and Twitter pages!

Did you start your own business? How did your UC connections help you get started?

Alumni Weekend: Campus is Calling You Back!

Alumni Weekend 2012

Remember being in college and getting Spring Fever? The weather warmed up, outdoor activities took over, the campus looked better — heck, even your fellow students looked better!

It’s that time again! Springtime is calling you back to campus for Alumni Weekend, the UC Alumni Association’s annual gathering for alums and friends of all ages.

With UC’s conversion to semesters this year, Alumni Weekend has moved up one month — Friday through Sunday, April 12-14. It’s a great opportunity to:

• Reconnect with your college …
• Visit with old and new friends …
• Marvel at what they’ve done with campus …
• Enjoy being a Bearcat!

There will be plenty of activities offered through the colleges as well as student and alumni organizations, as well as some all-UC fun. Highlights include:

Friday, April 12

• The MainStreet Stride foot parade through campus at noon — open to everyone in the UC Family

Saturday, April 13

• Campus tours (walking or by bus) throughout the morning
• An all-UC Skyline lunch buffet at 11:30 a.m. at the Myers Alumni Center
• Sigma Sigma Carnival in the evening

Sunday, April 14

• Golden Bearcat Brunch honoring alumni of 50+ years

Get all the details and make plans to come home to UC for Alumni Weekend!

What are you looking forward to the most about Alumni Weekend? Let us know by commenting below!

Alumni Weekend is presented by your UC Alumni Association in cooperation with GEICO, Skyline and Graeter’s.

National #HottestCollegeinAmerica Storyteller: Ono? Oh, yes!

President Ono's tour is largely about
hearing what's on the minds of alumni.

 The UC success story deserves to be energetically told all across the country — so that’s exactly what new President Santa Ono is doing during the first half of 2013.

Ono embarked on his #HottestCollegeinAmerica Tour in Dayton in January (140 in attendance) before visiting Phoenix in February (another 45). Presented and coordinated by the UC Alumni Association, the tour is named for Ono’s Twitter hashtag that promotes UC in the social media realm. The caravan is unfolding against the backdrop of continual good news, including:

• Rising institutional rankings (UC is up a dramatic 17 spots in the last two years in U.S. News & World Report);
• Steady elevation in academics (each incoming freshman class is more academically prepared than the last, with graduation rates on a steady climb);
• Exciting innovations emerging from all corners of the university community;
• Crossing the $1 billion threshold of the historic Proudly Cincinnati campaign.

A combination of presidential presentation, “fireside chat” and candid Q&A, each stop finds Ono making his way around the room with a microphone, answering whatever he’s asked. The audience is mostly alumni from that city, but also current students on co-op assignment, prospective students and their parents, and others who are intrigued by Ono’s story and school.

President Ono fielded questions all over the room.

The #HottestCollegeinAmerica Tour is fundamental to the work of both President Ono and the UC Alumni Association.

“I’m sharing an exciting look at what UC is doing and where we’re going, which people say they appreciate, especially when they’re far away from campus,” Ono said. “Yet maybe more important is my opportunity to tap into what they’re seeing and feeling. Obviously I hear from alumni and students all the time via Twitter and Facebook, but there’s nothing like being together, and then assimilating those viewpoints into how we advance the university.”

The UC Alumni Association feels the same way, especially in terms of getting that many Bearcats in the same room to talk about the huge common thread in their lives.

“When alumni know more about what’s going on and who’s leading the way, they inevitably want to get more involved,” said UC Alumni Association executive director Myron Hughes, BUS ’86.

Ono connected with the alumni, students, and parents 

who came to learn more about the #HottestCollegeinAmerica — 

and he did so with and without red-and-black neckwear.

 (Minutes before this photo was taken, he had gladly 

surrendered his tie when an alum asked where he

 might find one like it.)

“You wouldn’t believe how many alums I meet in my travels who are thrilled at the opportunity to get reconnected. Many of them say, ‘Myron, let me know how I can help.’ There is a genuine need within most alumni to have this important connection — to somehow be part of it. Working with the president, it’s our job to make these opportunities available and to welcome everyone who steps forward.”

The 2013 Tour is likely only the beginning.

“I’d like to keep doing this, visiting different cities every year,” Ono said. “Life isn’t a snapshot. It keeps changing, and we have alumni all over the world who want to help their university keep climbing higher.

“And I like to stay on the move,” he added, smiling.

Upcoming tour dates include: 

April 4
Atlanta, Ga.

May 29
Los Angeles, Calif.

May 30
San Francisco, Calif.

June 6
Cleveland, Ohio

June 27
Tampa, Fla.

June 28
Orlando, Fla.

Click here to learn more about the #HottestCollegeinAmerica Tour — and to register if @PrezOno is coming your way. Have you attended one of the tour stops? Share your experience by commenting below.

Calling all Bearcats to the Belk Bowl!

Bearcat bowl games = UC Family Reunions! Just ask the alums who went to recent UC bowl games in Birmingham, Miami, New Orleans and Memphis. The holidays are better when you spend part of them with other UC fans celebrating and cheering on the Bearcats in a bowl. And now comes Charlotte and the Belk Bowl.

As fans plan their visit to Charlotte, two events stand out:

• First is obviously the game: UC vs. Duke, Thursday, December 27, with a 6:30 p.m. kickoff at Bank of America Stadium, the home of the NFL’s Carolina Panthers.
• Second is Fan Central, UC’s official pep rally from 7 to 10 p.m. on Wednesday, December 26, hosted by the UC Alumni Association. If you’ll be in Charlotte the night before the game, this is the place to be. Get all the details here.

Part of the fun of bowl games is getting to experience a new city in the company of many other folks wearing the C-Paw. Charlotte has a reputation for doing a great job with its bowl game. Here’s a quick guide to resources to help with the Belk Bowl trip.

It’s been a wild ride for the Bearcats and their fans. After earning their fourth conference championship in five years (something no other football program has done), the Bearcats were rewarded with their first-ever trip to the Belk Bowl. However, news of the bowl bid was tempered by the drawn-out departure of former coach Butch Jones.

Then Whit Babcock pulled a rabbit out of his hat, demonstrating the benefits of having a truly connected Athletics Director by hiring Tuberville and stunning the college football world in the process. Since the December 8 press conference that welcomed him to Cincinnati, Tuberville has been acclimating to the university, assessing the team as it practices for the bowl, assembling an outstanding coaching staff, and recruiting the next wave of future Bearcats.

During his tenure at UC, Jones had emphasized to the players the need to focus and adapt to “sudden change” during a game, and those lessons have carried over to the “sudden change” occurring within the program this month. The players talk openly about playing the Belk Bowl for the constants in their lives — their teammates, their university and community, and the UC fans.

“We need a lot of fans there [in Charlotte],” said sophomore linebacker Nick Temple. “We want our fans to have our backs, so I’m hoping they’ll be there.”

If you haven’t gotten your tickets yet, you can get them here. The UC Alumni Association’s Belk Bowl activities are sponsored by GEICO.

See you in Charlotte!

Loyal Bearcat Alum Wins A View from the Top

When UC alumna Maria Nosse graduated from the Carl H. Lindner College of Business in 2005, she knew her education would provide her with a view from the top. After giving back to the university, that view became a reality. As the grand prize winner of the Bearcats Come Back campaign, part of the 1819 effort aimed at increasing alumni giving rates, Maria won an aerial tour of her alma mater in the UC Health helicopter. 

Now a Cleveland-area resident, Nosse sees the importance of giving back to the university and understands that when it comes to funding education, every donation counts.

“I am Proudly Cincinnati because UC gave me the great education and tools to achieve everything that I wanted so far in my life,” said Nosse. “I’m happy to give back to them.”

Nosse was one of 20 alumni who gave back to UC before June 30, 2012, and were entered to win VIP experiences ranging from a tour of the President’s office to tailgating parties with friends.

Congratulations to Maria Nosse and all of the VIP winners! And, if you're feeling inspired to give back, visit http://uc.edu/1819 to make a donation today.

Homecoming 2012 Ends, Memories Remain

Representing 1819 in Homecoming Parade

As Cindy (Chiang) Halvorsen said, "Homecoming is the best holiday of the year" for Bearcat fans. Like many UC alumni living around the nation, I anticipated attending Homecoming 2012 months prior to the event. I booked my flights from Eugene, Oregon to CVG and made sure I had ample time in the Queen City to visit the UC community.

My Homecoming 2012 weekend started off with the Homecoming 2012 Kick Off Party at the Myers Alumni Center. Even though the event moved inside due to impending rain, it was a blast! The Alumni Center was packed full of fellow UC alumni. Bearcats fans enjoyed free Cincinnati favorites including Skyline Chili, Graeter's, Montgomery Inn and LaRosa's pizza. Because I live so far away from Cincinnati and can never get my fill of the local Cincy flair, this was one of my favorite things about the event!

Coach Jones, Athletic Director Whit Babcock and the UC Bearcat all made appearances at the kick-off party and pumped the crowd up for game day.

Nippert Stadium under the lights

My red and black themed weekend continued with a walk in the traditional UC Homecoming parade, followed with tailgating at the Bearcat Blitz and the CATWALK. The main event, UC vs. Miami, did not disappoint and the Bearcats defeated Miami 52-14 for a Homecoming victory!

As I waited for my flight to board at CVG on Monday afternoon, my husband and I discussed how far UC has come over the years and what an exciting future UC has to look forward to! I can't wait to visit Cincinnati next year for Homecoming 2013! I hope to see you there!

Mandy Drakeford, A&S '09, '11
New Media/PR Manager
UC Foundation

P.S. Share your favorite Homecoming 2012 memory below!

Take Advantage of Free Career Management Workshops In Person or From Afar!

Julie Bauke

In today’s work world, it’s almost impossible to avoid a “career transition” at some point — probably at many points. Whether done by choice or necessity, navigating these occasional career “course changes” has become a necessary skill, and the UC Alumni Association (UCAA) is offering some valuable assistance.

The UCAA has partnered with noted career coach and strategist Julie Bauke to offer a free, three-part workshop series to help UC alumni dealing with or contemplating a job or career change.

In “Want a New Career? Strategies for Change — at Any Age,” participants will learn:

• How to decide when the time is right to make a change 
• How to look at your skills, your interests and experiences in new ways 
• Developing the career messages that point you toward your new career
• Networking as a core career-change strategy 
• …and much more!

The workshops will take place on three consecutive Tuesday evenings, October 9, 16 and 23, from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. in the Myers Alumni Center on UC’s main campus. For those who cannot attend in person, the sessions will be videostreamed live to facilitate remote participation.

Register to attend in person and to access the live, interactive videostream during the workshop sessions. The sessions will also be archived for future viewing.

Read what others said about the two-part career development workshop Julie held in July that focused on the fundamentals of a job search.

RSVP for the October sessions online now!

Homecoming All About Tradition, Togetherness

If you love being a UC alum, you’re probably feeling the tug of Homecoming this week. The big day is this Saturday, October 6 — but Homecoming is more than just one day. In fact, it’s a lot of events over several days that encourage all Bearcats to return to campus.

The students are celebrating Homecoming all week, and the theme they created — “We Love Lucy: A Flashback to Yesteryear” — honors the generations-old Homecoming tradition as well as today’s real-life binturong school mascot. UC Blue Ash starts its festivities on Wednesday and will bring a float to the parade for the first time. The UC Alumni Association’s African American Alumni Affiliate (known as 4A) begins three days of fun on Thursday. And the inaugural Homecoming Kickoff Party will take place Friday evening at the Myers Alumni Center … Coach Butch Jones, an array of “Cincinnati Favorites” to eat, beer-tasting from local brewery Christian Moerlein, a steel drum band, campus tours — and it’s all FREE!

Then comes Saturday, and it will be worth waiting for:

• College-based and other organizations will have events throughout the day.
• The annual Homecoming Parade will start down Clifton Avenue at 3 p.m. This year's Homecoming Parade Grand Marshals are Ernie and Cindy (Chiang) Halvorsen, champions of The Amazing Race in 2011!  Cindy, CEAS ’04, was a UC Honors student, creator of Camp Bearcat, recipient of the 2004 Presidential Leadership Medal of Excellence, and Homecoming Queen in 2002.
• The UC Alumni Association’s Bearcats Blitz starts at 2 p.m., part of the vibrant UC Gameday environment.
• Starting at the Blitz and then winding through The Grid tailgate area, the football team’s traditional CATWALK begins at about 4:30 p.m.
• UC meets its longest football rival, Miami, at 7 p.m. in Nippert Stadium, which means the Bearcats should be ringing the Victory Bell shortly after 10 p.m.

“This weekend, UC is the place to be,” said UC Alumni Association executive director Myron Hughes, ’86. “Old and new friends all over the place, great food, winning football, family fun, our old stomping grounds … There’s a reason they call it Homecoming. We hope Bearcats everywhere make plans to come back.”

Check out all the events and activities on the UC Homecoming website.