Richard Foley Recognized with Distinguished Service Award

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

UC Alum Recognized for his Service with Young Alumni Award

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Big News...Announcing the 2011 Top Alumni!

2010 Taft Medal winner, Nancy Hamant, with President Williams.

Congratulations to this year's top alumni award recipients!

Each year, we honor a select group of our most distinguished and service-oriented alumni. In some cases, their work benefits our very own UC community and in other instances, their own professions or the community at large. Either way, they're doing incredible things from all corners of the country and are certainly deserving of a good ole' fashioned Bearcat tribute.

So be sure to shout out your congrats below or better yet, join us for UCAA's signature UC Day Celebration on June 9th where we'll show the UC community what makes these Bearcats so special. This year's honorees include...(drum roll, please!)...

William Howard Taft Medal for Notable Achievement

• Dr. J. Richard Wuest (College of Pharmacy ’58, ’68, ’71) – Cincinnati, OH

Alumni Distinguished Service Award

• Richard Foley (College of Engineering ’61) – Dayton, OH 
• David Watkins (College of Arts & Sciences ’92) – Chicago, IL

Jeffrey Hurwitz Young Alumni Outstanding Achievement Award 

• Drew McKenzie (College of Business ’05) – Cincinnati, OH

Mosaic Award

• Dr. Eric Abercrumbie (College of Arts & Sciences 1987) – Cincinnati, OH
• Dr. Marilyn Edmondson (Nursing ‘62 & College of Education ’76) – Smyrna, GA

Stay tuned for future guests posts from some of our nominators who will share their personal connections to our winners. Can't wait until then? Read more about our winners here.



Nominate an Outstanding UC Alum for an Alumni Award!

Do you know an outstanding UC alum? Now is your chance to recognize a UC alumnus/alumnae for his/her achievements. UCAA is accepting nominations for the annual Alumni Awards. The deadline for all nominations is January 31, 2011. Recognize an alumnus/alumna by nominating them for one of the following awards:

• William Howard Taft Medal for Notable Achievement - presented to an alumnus/alumna solely on the basis of significant life achievements in his/her chosen field.

• Jeffrey Hurwitz Young Alumni Outstanding Achievement Award – given to an alumnus/alumna, 35 years or younger on the basis of significant professional achievement in his/her field, and continued involvement with the university.

• Alumni Distinguished Service Award – given to an alumnus/alumna who has made an outstanding contribution of service to UC.

• Alumni Association Mosaic Award – presented to an alumnus/alumna who has demonstrated leadership while enhancing our shared community.

The seven 2010 honorees included:

William Howard Taft Medal for Notable Achievement

• Dr. Nancy Hamant, A&S '57, CECH '61 and '67

Alumni Distinguished Service Award

• Robert Dobbs, Bus '76 and '88 
• James Kelly, Sr., CECH '51 and '65 (presented posthumously)

Jeffrey Hurwitz Young Alumni Outstanding Achievement Award

• Ryan Rybolt, Eng '97

Mosaic Award

• Dr. Rebecca Lee, RWC '01, Nur '03, '05 and '08
• Linda Bates Parker, A&S '70 (presented posthumously)
• J. Erin Riehle, Nur '81 and '92

Read more about these honorees. 

Click here to nominate an alum today!