Alumni

Alumni Association News

1

Miniature marvels: A librarian’s lifelong passion finds a home at UC

March 9, 2026

In the mid-1950s Melinda C. Wells Brown moved to Cincinnati to live with her great aunt and became captivated by a collection of miniature Shakespeare plays her great aunt kept on display. Brown came to Cincinnati after the death of her father, and without her great aunt’s guidance and generosity, she would not have been able to continue her education. Her great aunt’s holistic support was instrumental during Brown’s undergraduate studies at the University of Cincinnati — where she worked in the University Library (now known as Blegen Library) and uncovered a deep passion for literature and libraries.

3

Always a cheerleader: Alumna lifts student-athletes

March 5, 2026

When University of Cincinnati student-athlete Ligia Williams, CECH ’25, takes the court, she knows she’s not alone. Behind her stands a dedicated mentor who believes in her potential — alumna Cindy Coggins, CECH ’73.

4

UC alum aims for summer Olympic debut

February 23, 2026

With the 2026 Winter Olympic Games coming to a close, attention now turns to the summer games coming up in Los Angeles in 2028. Beach sprint rowing is a relatively new sport that is surging in popularity due to its inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. Spectrum News 1 spoke with Lindner College of Business alum and most-decorated beach sprint rower of all time, Christopher Bak, on his Olympic-sized goals.

5

CCM singers advance to Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition semifinals

February 23, 2026

Three UC College-Conservatory of Music alumni and one current student are semifinalists in the 2026 Metropolitan Opera Eric and Dominique Laffont Competition. One of the most prestigious singing competitions in the world, the Laffont Competition's national semifinals take place on Sunday, March 15, 2026.

6

WATCH: CCM Philharmonia's Feb. 20 concert livestream

February 18, 2026

Audiences can enjoy CCM Philharmonia's next concert in person or watch at home via livesteam at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 20. Featuring alumni guest artists Rebecca Barnes, viola; and Jonathan Lee, cello; tickets for the "Midlife Crisis" concert are on sale now through the CCM Box Office. The livesteam is free to watch on CCM's website and YouTube channel.

7

Jes Cornelius appointed UC Foundation Vice President of Information and Enterprise Risk

February 17, 2026

The University of Cincinnati Foundation is pleased to announce that Jes Cornelius is its new Vice President of Information and Enterprise Risk. Cornelius has a comprehensive background leading enterprise wide technology transformation, strengthening digital strategy and driving operational excellence across complex, large scale organizations.

10

A century of Bearcats in the family

February 16, 2026

When Eloise Brown was deciding where to go to college, she spoke to a family friend who was an environmental engineering professor at the University of Cincinnati and realized UC's engineering program would be a great fit for her. She decided to make the move to Cincinnati, continuing a family legacy at the College of Engineering and Applied Science.