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 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. 

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. Xavier Crosstown Classic Game Watches Scheduled Nationwide

If you're planning on watching the University of Cincinnati vs. Xavier Crosstown Classic basketball game on Dec. 14, 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. Click the links 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 Sam Walston at the UC Alumni Association.

Register for a game-watch near you:

Boston Network

Charlotte Network

Chicago Network

Columbus Network

Cleveland Network

Dallas Network

Dayton Network

Denver Network

Detroit Network

Grand Junction Network

Houston Network

Indianapolis Network

Los Angeles Network

Las Vegas Network

Miami Network

Memphis Network

Milwaukee Network

Nashville Network

New York Network

Phoenix Network

Philadelphia Network - TBD

San Diego Network

San Francisco Network

Sarasota Network

Seattle Network

St. Louis Network

Tampa Network

Twin Cities Network

Washington D.C. Network

Homecoming 2013 Creates Memories to Last

Homecoming weekend started off with a kick-off party on Friday night at the newly renovated Myers Alumni Center. It was the perfect way to start off the fun-fill “Once Upon a Homecoming” weekend. Coach Tommy Tuberville and Athletic Director Whit Babcock spoke at the event where more than 300 people attended. Not only was this a great kick-off for the weekend, it was also a chance for the new renovations inside the Myers Alumni Center to be revealed.

Following the kick-off party on Friday night, UC alumni, students, employees and their families lined the streets surrounding the UC campus early Saturday morning for the annual Homecoming parade. The fairy tale inspired floats paraded around Clifton while grand marshals Oscar Robertson (Bus ’60, HonDoc ’07) and his wife, Yvonne (CECH ’56), waved to the Bearcat fans watching.

The rest of Saturday was filled with alumni reuniting and celebrating with each other as the UC Bearcats walked away with the big win against UCONN.

Share your favorite memories from Homecoming below.

Homecoming: More Than a Football Game

If you graduated from the University of Cincinnati, you likely know Homecoming is more than a football

Ryan Minges, University Cincinnati
Alumni - Charlotte Network

game or weekend of events.  Homecoming provides UC alumni with a chance to reconnect with former classmates and our alma mater.  It’s an opportunity for us to show our UC pride, wave our Bearcat flags, and reflect upon (and relive) some of the most memorable moments of our lives.  Homecoming gives us the opportunity to show our appreciation for UC and everything our UC experience has given us — degrees, careers, lifelong friends, spouses, and more.

Fifteen years ago, I attended the University of Cincinnati as a student-athlete on the baseball team.  I immediately formed a bond with my teammates and the university.  I was proud to jog out onto the field wearing a jersey stitched with “Bearcats” across my chest.  As my final baseball game ended in a loss to Tulane, tears poured down my face as I thought, “It’s all over.”

I didn’t realize it then, but my last baseball game was not the end of my relationship with my teammates or the university. I’ve stayed in touch with a number of my teammates, and some of them have become my closest friends. During Homecoming weekend, I get together with former teammates, and even participate in the annual Alumni Home Run Derby.

Outside of my friendships with former teammates, UC is intertwined through many other aspects of my life. I

Ryan, his wife Stacy, and daughter Elle 

met my wife Stacy at the university, and our daughter, Elle, loves cheering on the Bearcats. I’ve also had the opportunity to meet dozens of alumni in Charlotte, N.C., as the network leader for the University of Cincinnati Alumni Association’s Charlotte Network.

As I return to campus on Oct. 18-20, I will reminisce about some of my favorite college memories, and also show my appreciation for a university that’s given me so much.

I hope to see you at Homecoming 2013! Go Bearcats!

Ryan Minges, BUS ’01

P.S:  If you live in the Charlotte area and want to get more involved with UC, contact me at r.minges25@gmail.com.

Are you ready for fall?

Are you ready for some fall fun? Be sure to check out all the events happening this Fall for Bearcats. Here are a few highlighted events to make sure you do not miss them!

One of the biggest events this fall is homecoming weekend. Homecoming is always a great place to reconnect with fellow Bearcats and a great chance to be back on campus and cheer on the football team to a victory as they take on Connecticut. This year’s theme is “Once Upon a Homecoming” and it is taking place Oct. 18-19. There will be lots to see and do all weekend long. 

Another big opportunity for alumni to stay involved and reconnect this fall is through the #HottestCollegeInAmerica tour with President Santa Ono. Ono will be traveling to different cities throughout the country to meet alumni, prospective students, current co-op students, parents and donors. Make sure you check to see when he is coming to your city and do not miss the great opportunity to find out all the latest happenings at UC.

As always, the fall is filled with Bearcat football. Before most home games, the Myers Alumni Center will open four hours prior to kickoff for the Bearcats-Blitz pre-game festivities. It is considered the UC family’s biggest tailgate party. This is another great opportunity to reconnect with fellow Bearcats and cheer on the Bearcats! Everyone is always invited.

Don’t worry, if you cannot make a home game, there are always away game opportunities! Bearcats on the Road events will take place at two away games this coming fall. On Saturday, Oct. 5, Bearcats on the Road will be at the University of South Florida and again on Saturday, Nov. 23 , pre-game events will be held before the Houston game. 

This fall will be a busy one, but always a great chance for alumni to reconnect and make some new memories with UC. New events are always popping up so be sure to check the events calendar in the next few weeks.

Now is the Time. This is the Place.

Nippert Stadium is ready for a series of long-anticipated renovations. Construction is scheduled to start in December of this year and is projected to finish by the start of the 2015 season.

The enhancements will take place on both the east and west side of the stadium, but a new press box, suites club seats and boxes will dawn the west side of the stadum. Both sides of the stadium will have new concession stands, bathrooms and updated concourses. It is expected that Nippert Stadium’s capacity will increase from 35,000 to 40,000.

Since the renovations are scheduled to take more than a year, it is a possibility that the Bearcats will not be able to play at Nippert Stadium for the 2014 season. One of the options being considered as an alternate location is Paul Brown Stadium. While the Bearcats have used Paul Brown Stadium in the past, a final decision has yet to be made.

The Bearcats have used Nippert Stadium as a playing field since 1901. This makes it the second-oldest playing site in the nation for college football. The demand for the renovations are in line with the increased success for the Bearcats throughout the years.

For more information about the renovations and the transformation of Nippert Stadium, click here. 

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!

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.

Former UC Basketball Team Captain Battles Cancer

If you graduated from the University of Cincinnati, you know Bearcats stick together through thick and thin. The bonds that friends build while attending UC are as strong as family ties. When a member of the Bearcat family becomes ill, alumni pull together to support their family member.

Leslie Andrew was the women's basketball
 team captain for two years.

Leslie Andrew (Knoch) (A&S ’05 and CECH ’08), a two-year team captain of the women’s basketball team, was diagnosed with melanoma during the summer of 2011. Since Leslie’s diagnosis, her friends and family, a close knit group of UC alumni, have been at her side throughout her battle with cancer.

“Leslie is one of my greatest gifts from UC. The university could not have recruited a more talented, intelligent, dedicated, loyal and inspirational basketball player,” said friend and UC Alum Anna Barrett. “We are indeed a Bearcat family.”

Following Leslie’s diagnosis, she underwent extensive surgery and went into remission thereafter. Unfortunately, after a year in remission, Leslie’s cancer returned. Since then, Leslie has undergone radiation treatments and immunotherapy. She is currently hoping to be part of a cancer treatment trial in Maryland.

“If you ever had the chance to watch Leslie on the basketball court, you know she is a fighter,” explained Allison Hoehn, UC alum and friend of Leslie.

Leslie and her husband Jon and son Landon are
pictured here. Leslie is a school counselor with the
 Northwest School District and is very active in her community. 

With the support of Leslie’s husband Jon, 2-year-old son Landon, family and friends, Leslie has not battled cancer alone. Leslie’s supporters are planning a fundraiser event for Leslie and her family on February 16, 2013. The fundraiser titled, “Team up for Leslie” will assist Leslie with her medical treatment costs.

The UC Community will also show their support for Leslie at the women’s basketball game on Feb. 23 at Fifth Third Arena. Bearcat fans are encouraged to attend the game to show their support for Leslie and other Bearcats fighting cancer.

“We are excited and grateful that the women’s basketball team will honor Leslie and her family  during pre-game on Feb. 23rd," said Hoehn. “We hope everyone will come out and support the fight against cancer while supporting one of UC’s own."

Show your support for Leslie by commenting below!

Former Bearcats Coming Up Big for Pro Teams

Connor Barwin #98 of the Houston Texans sacks
Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens for a safety
on October 21, 2012 at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas.
(October 20, 2012 - Source: Thomas B. Shea/
Getty Images North America)

Ten bowl games in thirteen years…Four conference championships and two BCS bowl games in the past five seasons…Four 10-win seasons over the past five years…No matter how you look at it, UC’s football program continues to prove itself as one of the most competitive in the nation – including the impressive roster of former Bearcats who now make a living playing on Sundays.

Check out our midseason rundown of NFL players who got their start on the Clifton gridiron and see what they’ve been up to so far this season:

Connor Barwin – Barwin was a key defensive leader for the Bearcats during his senior season – even though it was his first on the defensive side of the ball, as he previously played tight end during his college and high school career.

Now, he’s a run-stuffing, pass-rushing force for the Texans, with 31 tackles, two sacks, one fumble recovery and four passes defended through the first twelve games of the season. One of those sacks also resulted in Connor’s first NFL points – a safety of Ravens’ quarterback Joe Flacco in the Texans’ week 7 win.

With the Texans sporting one of the best records (and defenses) in the league, Barwin looks to be playing deep into January as the Texans seek out their first-ever Super Bowl appearance.

Armon Binns – Many fans remember Binns making one of the biggest catches in UC history, diving across a snowy end zone to haul in the game-winning score with one minute left against Pitt at the end of the 2009 season.

Alfonzo Dennard #37 of the New England Patriots tackles
Isaiah Pead #24 of the St. Louis Rams during the NFL
International Series match between the New England
Patriots and the St. Louis Rams at Wembley Stadium on
October 28, 2012 in London, England. (October 27, 2012 -
Source: Scott Heavey/Getty Images Europe)

Now, he’s found a home with the Cincinnati Bengals alongside former Bearcat Kevin Huber, and is working his way into the professional ranks and learning from Pro-Bowl teammate A.J. Green.

Binns has played in eight games so far (including five starts) and has caught 18 passes for 210 yards. He also scored his first NFL touchdown against the Washington Redskins during the Bengals’ 38-31 week 3 win.

Kevin Huber – During the Bearcats’ run at their first BIG EAST Championship in 2008, their stifling defense – along with punter Kevin Huber’s ability to pin opposing teams deep in their own territory – made scoring points a tall order.

Huber continues to excel at consistently punting the ball deep, and now helps the Cincinnati Bengals win the field position battle through the kicking game. So far in 2012, Huber has played in all twelve games and has punted 55 times for a 46.9-yard average and a net average of 41.7 yards.

He has also placed 24 of his 55 punts inside the 20-yard line, and kicked a season long 69-yarder late in the fourth quarter of the Bengals’ week 11 win against Kansas City.

Isaiah Pead – Many people felt the St. Louis Rams landed a steal when UC’s third all-time leading rusher and 2011 BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year was drafted in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft.

While he’s still learning the ropes of the NFL and remains behind an incredibly successful rusher in Steven Jackson, Pead continues to make progress and prepare for his moment in the spotlight. And in the meantime, he’s picked up a new skill: returning kickoffs.

So far, Pead has played in eleven games this season, including one start, and has caught three passes for sixteen yards, rushed four times for 33 yards and returned ten kicks for 212 yards.

Haruki Nakamura – One of the anchors of the Bearcats’ 2008 BIG EAST Champion defense, Nakamura went from one electrifying defense to another when he was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens.

Now, Nakamura plays free safety for the Carolina Panthers – and is bringing the lessons he’s learned over the years to a team where he can build a new tradition for defensive excellence.

Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots is
sacked by Derek Wolfe #95 of the Denver Broncos
in the second half at  Gillette Stadium on October
7, 2012 in Foxboro, Massachusetts.
 (October 6, 2012 - Source: Jim Rogash/Getty
Images North America)

Nakamura has started in each of the Panthers' twelve games this season and has tallied 51 tackles. He’s also recorded two interceptions: one in a 30-28 thriller against the Atlanta Falcons in week 4, and the other in a 27-21 overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in week 11.

Derek Wolfe  – One of the leaders of last year’s defensive unit went to the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft, and he’s wasted no time making his presence known – even though most of the headlines in Denver are about the resurgence of quarterback Peyton Manning.

Wolfe has started all twelve games this season for the Broncos and has totaled 32 tackles, along with three sacks. Wolfe's three sacks rank third among rookie defensive lineman this season.

Trent Cole – The Philadelphia Eagles have become a regional alumni network of their own, with four former Bearcats – Cole, Brent Celek, Mardy Gilyard and Jason Kelce (who is on injured reserve for the year) recently playing for the team.

Since joining the Eagles in the 2005 NFL Draft, Cole has tallied 70 regular season sacks, which ranks him third all-time in Eagles history behind legends Reggie White and Clyde Simmons. He’s also played in nine playoff games and has established himself as a veteran leader and fan favorite.

Cole has started all ten of the Eagles’ games and has totaled 26 tackles, two sacks and one forced fumble this year.

Brent Celek – Since joining the Eagles in 2007, Celek has been a durable part of the offense, playing in every regular season game during that span and also enjoying success in the postseason.

Tight end Brent Celek #87 of the Philadelphia
Eagles leaps over safety Ed Reed #20 for a
first down in the third quarter during a game
 at Lincoln Financial Field on September 16
 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles
defeated the Ravens 24-23.
(September 15, 2012 - Source: Rich Schultz/
Getty Images North America)

In fact, Celek caught ten passes for 83 yards and two touchdowns in the 2008 NFC Championship Game against the Arizona Cardinals, and his 19 catches during the Eagles’ 2008 playoff run are the third-most all-time for a tight end.

So far this season, Celek has started all twelve of the Eagles' games and has 601 receiving yards and one touchdown on 50 receptions.

Mardy Gilyard – Sadly, Mardy was cut by the Eagles just over two weeks ago. Gilyard played in six games this season and has returned two punts for 15 yards, and had three special teams tackles.

Here’s to hoping he can find another home in the NFL soon.

John Hughes – Hughes was a force on defense last year and kept getting better as the season went on, totaling 27 tackles and four sacks during UC’s final five games of the 2011 season.

His inspired play and performance at the NFL combine inspired the Cleveland Browns to select him in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft, and he’s gotten right to work bolstering their defense in one of the league’s toughest divisions.

Hughes has played in each of the Browns' twelve games this season, earning two starts, and has tallied 25 tackles and two sacks.

More Cats on the Prowl in the NFL

Adrien Robinson – New York Giants/Tight End: Robinson has played in two games this season.

Mike Windt – San Diego Chargers/Long Snapper: Windt has played in ten of the Chargers' games this season.

Jeff Linkenbach – Indianapolis Colts/Tackle: Linkenbach has played in all twelve of the Colts' games this season, including six starts.

Ricardo Mathews – Indianapolis Colts/ Defensive Tackle: Mathews has played in all twelve games this season, including one start, and has totaled 11 tackles.

J.K. Schaeffer – Though Schaeffer was cut by the Jacksonville Jaguars shortly before the start of the 2012 NFL season, he has been signed to the Cincinnati Bengals’ practice squad as a reserve linebacker.

Keep up with your favorite Bearcats all season by checking out the UC Athletics website’s coverage of Bearcats in the NFL!

UC Alumni Give Thanks: Education Takes Graduate Around the World

Kimmet overlooks Beijing, China

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.

Even though Neil Kimmet, 2011 Carl H. Lindner College of Business graduate, is half way around the world in Shanghai, he still feels the pride of being a Bearcat and the sense of community the Bearcat nation provides. Kimmet is currently pursuing his master of arts in international studies with a focus in international business from Concordia University Irvine in Irvine California. While the pursuit of his master's degree has taken him across the country and around the world, Kimmet stays connected with the UC community online.

"It is truly heartwarming to share my experiences in the Far East on Facebook and receive support from my former classmates, fraternity members, and academic associations like the University Honors Program," said Kimmet.

Even though Kimmet manages a very busy schedule, teaching business courses during the day while studying and writing his thesis in the evenings, he still finds the time to catch the Bearcats football games. Because he doesn't have access to American cable, he watches the games online or catches the updates on ESPN.

During Kimmet's undergraduate career he studied operations management and international business, while pursuing a global studies certificate from the University Honors Scholars Program. His UC education enabled him to participate in numerous study abroad trips including:

• A yearlong student exchange with the Nagoya University of Foreign Studies in Nagoya, Japan (funded by the JASSO scholarship).
• University Honors Association service learning trip to Nicaragua
• Serve Beyond Cincinnati alternative spring break trip to Mexico, Cameroon, El Salvador and Haiti

Serve Beyond Cincinnati group in Cameroon

Kimmet credits UC for giving him a global experience that has shaped his future goals. 

"Thanks to the wonderful education and global studies opportunities that were presented to me at UC, I have decided to devote my life to fostering better relations and stronger ties between the United States and the rest of the world," Kimmet said. "While I am unsure if I would like to enter the private sector as a businessman or the public sector as a foreign officer, I do believe that my experience at Cincinnati has opened up a world of possibilities for me."

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

 

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 is the Best Holiday of the Year!’

After Cindy won Homecoming Queen in 2002
Left to right: Julie Bricker, 2000 Queen, Elizabeth Anderson 

Fromm, 2002 Queen Runner-Up Carrie Foulk Connelly, 

2001 QueenSonya Khera North, 1999 Queen

That headline is a common phrase among my friends. Every Bearcat I know looks forward to this one weekend. It’s a time to celebrate the start of a new school year, to make new friends or catch up with old ones, and to show your Bearcat Pride and sing the fight song until your voice runs out.

Ten years ago, I rode in the Homecoming Parade as an honored member of the 2002 Homecoming Court. I can still smell the crisp fall air and feel the incredible anticipation of halftime when the King and Queen would be crowned. I stood in the middle of Carson Field wearing a brand new red suit with my heart pounding out of my chest … and then I heard my name called as Queen. My Chi Omega sisters erupted in a deafening cheer that echoed throughout Nippert Stadium. It’s undoubtedly one of my most cherished memories as a Bearcat. 

Cindy Chiang Halvorsen (Engineering, 2004) and Ernie
Halvorsen earned $1 million after being named co-champions
of CBS’s19th season of The Amazing Race.

2011 was yet another benchmark year in my personal storybook! My then-fiancé, Ernie, and I raced around-the-world on CBS’s Emmy Award-winning reality show, The Amazing Race, ultimately winning the competition and the coveted $1 million prize. This year, we were quickly thrown into a whirlwind of TV appearances, magazine photo shoots, radio interviews, runway shows, charity events and public speaking engagements. Oh, and we somehow managed to find time to get married. 

But the one thing we have really been looking forward to all year is visiting campus for UC Homecoming! I have always tried to describe to Ernie the feeling of riding in the parade, yet couldn’t find the words to convey my most memorable undergraduate moment to him. On October 6, he actually gets to experience it first-hand as we lead the Homecoming Parade as your Grand Marshals. We feel so honored to have been asked to represent UC in this prestigious position.

Mr. and Mrs. Halvorsen 

I am so thankful for the outpouring of love and support from UC over the past 14 years. My experience on campus has been instrumental in developing the woman I am today, fostering my strong connection and deep sincerity for our university. With deep appreciation we look forward to visiting campus, a place that is very much my home.

See you at Homecoming!

Proudly UC,

Cindy Chiang Halvorsen