UC Alumni Make a
BIG Impact
Alumni Celebration Mural
The UC Alumni Association annually celebrates alumni excellence by bestowing its top awards on a select group of Bearcats. For all they do to serve their university, their communities and their fields of endeavor — they make a BIG impact! And this year we are honoring them through a vibrant, new mural.
The artwork was unveiled during Alumni Week and will remain on display through March 2025. UCAA commissioned Chroma Projects to design and illustrate the project, which is painted on the side of a building at 1430 Vine Street in Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine neighborhood.
Dean J. Kereiakes, MD, PhD
A&S ’75, Med ’78, Hon ’14
The William Howard Taft Medal for Notable Achievement is the highest honor the UC Alumni Association bestows, and is dedicated to the memory of William Howard Taft, Law 1880, Hon 1925, twenty-seventh president of the United States and tenth chief justice. Over the award’s 60-year history, Taft Medalists have personified excellence in a broad range of professions, shared a passion for helping others, and proudly expressed appreciation for the role their alma mater played in their success.
Ruthie S. Keefe
CECH '81
The Robert E. Dobbs Distinguished Service Award recognizes a dedicated alumnus who, through their deep commitment and voluntary service, elevates their alma mater and the UC community. The award is in honor and memory of Robert E. Dobbs, Bus ’76, ’88, past president of the UC Alumni Association.
Kathy Wade
CCM '81
The Marian A. Spencer Mosaic Award honors an alumnus who has demonstrated leadership while enhancing our shared community through cultivating collaboration, fostering inclusiveness, championing the cause of the underrepresented, and promoting greater equity and opportunity for all. This award is in honor and memory of Marian A. Spencer, A&S ’42, Hon ’06, a revered champion of civil rights.
Sean A. Addo
DAAP '10
The Jeffrey Hurwitz Young Alumni Outstanding Achievement Award is presented to a UC graduate on the basis of significant professional achievement in his or her field of endeavor, and continued service and involvement with the university and community. This award is in honor and memory of Jeffrey Hurwitz, Bus ’72, ’73, past president of the UC Alumni Association.
Outstanding Alumni Awards
Outstanding Alumni Award honorees represent 13 colleges, plus the unique training ground of UC Athletics. They are selected on the basis of their contributions and achievements as alumni.
Cynthia P. Blocksom, CAHS ’79
College of Allied Health Sciences
Henry N. Comer, UCBA ’09, A&S ’11
UC Blue Ash College
Stephen C. Flaherty, CCM ’82
College-Conservatory of Music
Yvonne A. DiCristoforo, CECH ’91
College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services
H.C. “Buck” Niehoff, Law ’72, Hon ’11
College of Law
George G. Bemis, Jr., MD, Med ’64
College of Medicine
Colleen R. Lindholz, Phar ’95
James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy
Edwin J. Rigaud, Jr., A&S ’73
College of Arts and Sciences
Michele E. Wells Walker, PharmD, Cler ’88, Phar ’15
UC Clermont College
Mitchell E. Sutika‑Sipus, PhD, DAAP ’10, ’11
College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning
Lawrence “Larry” J. Blanford, CEAS ’77
College of Engineering and Applied Science
Paul D. Green, Bus ’90
Carl H. Lindner College of Business
Holly L. Lorenz, DNP, Nur ’81, ’91
College of Nursing
Connor A. Barwin, A&S ’18
UC Athletics
The Artist
Nicole Trimble, DAAP ’13, is an assistant professor of Electronic Media Communications at UC Blue Ash College and co-founder of Bright Wall Collective, a southwest Ohio-based mural and design studio. Her work has been exhibited on and in buildings in the region, in galleries throughout the U.S., and in many publications in the art world.