Alumni Association News

June 24, 2026

UC College-Conservatory of Music Dean Pete Jutras has announced the appointment of Benjamin Nicholson as CCM's new Assistant Professor of Immersive Media and Visuals for Live Events. A CCM alumnus (MFA Lighting Design & Technology, 2025), Nicholson's faculty appointment officially begins on Aug. 15, 2026, and he will work with college leadership to develop classes, content and programming in Live and Immersive Media at CCM. Nicholson's position is a joint appointment shared by CCM's Divisions of Media Production and Theatre Arts, Production and Arts Administration, and he will teach classes for both areas of the college.

June 22, 2026

CCM alumnus Charles Peck (MM Composition, 2012) was recently named the winner of the 2026 Kreitler Commission Competition. The competition, which is open to composers of any nationality and age, is organized by Summermusik with resident ensemble Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra in partnership with Chamber Orchestra of Pittsburgh, Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle in North Carolina and Reno Chamber Orchestra.

June 19, 2026

The Dayton Performing Arts Alliance (DPAA) recently appointed CCM alumnus Chandler Johnson (BM Voice, 2016; MM Voice, 2018) as the seventh Artistic Director of the Dayton Opera. He will begin a three-year term on July 1, 2026.

June 17, 2026

The University of Cincinnati Foundation is proud to announce that seven dedicated community members are joining its board of trustees. Ray Brooks, CEAS ’83; Chris Carper, A&S ’93; Tim Giglio, Bus ’84; Nandita Jena, A&S '03, Bus '03 and Chris Lewis, MD, Med ’00 will begin their term in October 2026. In addition to this esteemed group, two new student trustees, Case Trokhan, Med ’26 and Joseph Verry, Med ’30 are joining the board.

June 16, 2026

Since graduating from UC's College-Conservatory of Music, Spencer Lackey (BFA Acting, '17) has established himself as a buzz-worthy creator of short-form horror content. Lackey's TikTok, Instagram and YouTube channels have attracted millions of followers and his work has increasingly caught the attention of entertainment industry insiders. Now, his career may be entering an exciting new phase: The Hollywood Reporter recently named Lackey as a potential "next big thing in the horror space."

June 15, 2026

The University of Cincinnati is saddened to share news of the passing of CCM Associate Dean Emeritus Warren E. George. A dedicated member of CCM's faculty and leadership team for 31 years, George passed away on May 19, 2026, at the age of 90.

June 11, 2026

UC engineering graduate JP Suozzi helped driver Felix Rosenqvist win the Indianapolis 500 as a trackside engineer with Honda Racing. While on co-op with Meyer Shank Racing, Suozzi monitored Honda engine performance at the track, contributing to the closest finish in Indy 500 history.

June 8, 2026

UC College-Conservatory of Music alumni took center stage during a star-studded evening on Sunday, June 7, when music superstar P!NK hosted the American Theatre Wing’s prestigious Tony Awards. Two of CCM's most accomplished alumni took home top honors during this year's ceremony. Shoshana Bean and Stephen Flaherty both received Tonys during the June 7 ceremony.

June 4, 2026

UC-connected band The National, co-founded by DAAP alumni, has been named to The New York Times Magazine readers’ list of the 100 Greatest Living American Songwriters.

June 1, 2026

Each year, the UC Alumni Association recognizes and celebrates the many contributions and overall excellence of UC alumni in countless fields of endeavor, throughout the world. Next year’s slate of honorees will be recognized during Alumni Week, April 12-17, 2027, at the UC Alumni Celebration. The UC Alumni Association is currently accepting nominations for its top awards through July 15.