Thursday, May 8, 2025
6-9 p.m.
| Loft Lucia 7 N Carpenter Street Chicago, IL 60607 |
Join the UC Alumni Association and Chicago Alumni Network for the annual Chicagoans for Cincy! Celebration. We will recognize and celebrate the many contributions and overall excellence of UC alumni in the Chicagoland area. We will honor three outstanding Bearcats and raise funds to support the Chicagoans for Cincy! Alumni Scholarship.
Since the Chicagoans for Cincy! Alumni Scholarship Fund was created in 2016, the endowment has grown to over $200,000, enabling us to provide an annual scholarship award for an incoming first-year student from the Chicago area, renewable for up to eight semesters.
Registration for this event will close April 30.
2025 Honorees
Outstanding Achievement Award: Farid Amirouche, PhD, CEAS '79, '81, '84
This award is presented to a Chicago-area UC alumnus based on professional contributions and notable achievements in their fields.
Dr. Farid Amirouche is a three-time UC graduate who studied engineering science aerospace and mechanical engineering with a focus on biomechanics. He is a professor, director and research scientist in the orthopaedic field. Dr. Amirouche is the author of several patents, is a fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and has been the CEO and president of several startups in the medical device industry. He has developed broad experience in orthopaedic biomechanics and related areas, working on innovative new solutions from concept phase to market readiness.
Distinguished Service Award: Bruce Hopple, Bus '75, Law '80
This award is presented to a Chicago-area UC alumnus, who through their volunteerism elevate the University of Cincinnati.
Bruce Hopple is a Senior Vice President for Avison Young’s tenant representation team, focusing on new business development and transaction advisory services for professional service firms, not-for-profits, and local and national corporations. Bruce is an expert in financial and market analysis, negotiation, and commercial real estate trends. He has been a Bearcat since birth as both his parents were UC graduates. Most notably, Bruce has served as an active Chicago area alumni volunteer for over 25 years in a variety of ways, including his dedicated service on the Chicagoans for Cincy! planning committee. Bruce was also instrumental in the success of the Sigma Sigma Men’s Honorary 125th Anniversary celebration, serving as a key member of the planning committee and lending his voice as Emcee for the Friday night event. His dedication and contributions made the celebration unforgettable, exemplifying his commitment to Sigma Sigma and UC. His additional community service has included a wide variety of board positions including Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter, USO of Illinois, March of Dimes, Leadership Greater Chicago Fellows Association, the Pilsen/Rauner Family YMCA, and Chicago Office Leasing Brokers Association.
Emerging Leader Award: Francie Ruppert, Bus '19, '20
This award is presented to a Chicago-area UC alumnus based on early professional achievement, and/or recent service and involvement with the University of Cincinnati.
Francie Ruppert is a Manager on the Global Menu Strategy Team at McDonald’s Corporation. She began her professional journey in 2019 as a McDonald’s marketing intern during her University of Cincinnati co-op rotation. In 2020, she took a full-time role as a Specialist on the company’s Alignment & Communications Team, then became a Supervisor on the U.S. Brand & Menu Strategy Team, playing a key role in leading the execution and strategy for the Desserts category. She joined the global team in the fall of 2024, focused on governing all of McDonald’s core menu items around the world.
Past Honorees
- David Jaberg, PhD, Bus ’90, ’92
- Shannon Finn Connell, PhD, A&S ’92
- Eva Maddox, DAAP ’66, Hon ’06
- Alan Channing, Bus ’68
- Denny Reigle, A&S ’67
- Wally Becky, Bus ’66
- Brent Freese, DAAP ’84
- Susan King, A&S ’84
- Tom Behringer, CEAS ’82
- Michael Schroeck, Bus ’79
- Donald Nally, CCM ’82
- Lawrence Damron, Bus ’68
- Savannah Bell, Bus ’12
- Dr. Steven Edelstein, Med ’89
- Denny DeMoss, CEAS ’77
- David Watkins, A&S ’12
- Chris Mekus, DAAP ’72 and Spes Mekus, DAAP ’72
- Yetta Starr, DAAP ’82
- Matt Wagner, CEAS ’99
- Patty Klingbiel, Bus ’91
- Sean Connell, A&S ’91
- Paul Kingsley, Bus ’98
- Neal Novak, A&S ’73, Law ’77
- Antwone Cameron, CAHS ’14, CECH ’15
- Bhavik Modi, Bus ’15
- Paul Green, Bus ’77 ’91
- Cindy Chiang, CEAS ’04
- Andrew Eloff, CEAS ’94
- John Lutz, DAAP ’95
- Ann Taylor, Law ’92
- Adjoa Anyane-Yeboa, Med ’12
- Kathleen Hurley, CAHS ’14
Support the Scholarship
Chicagoans for Cincy! supports scholarships that help Chicago’s best and brightest students receive a world-class education at our alma mater, one of the nation’s top urban research universities. Since the Chicagoans for Cincy! Alumni Scholarship Fund was created in 2016, the endowment has grown to over $200,000, enabling us to provide an annual scholarship award for an incoming first-year student from the Chicago area, renewable for up to eight semesters.
Please consider making a gift to support the Chicagoans for Cincy! Alumni Scholarship.
Thank You to Our 2025 Supporters
This event serves as the primary fundraiser for the Chicagoans for Cincy! Alumni Scholarship Fund, which supports an incoming, first-year student from the Chicagoland area attending the University of Cincinnati.
1819 Supporter
Bob Fealy, Bus ’73, Hon ’13 and Rose Fealy
Chicagoans for Cincy! Celebration Supporter
Eva Maddox, DAAP ’66, Hon ’06 and Lynn Maddox
Get Involved
Interested in getting involved with the Chicagoans for Cincy! Committee? Contact Chicago Alumni Network Leader Jacki Adkins.
Emma McAvoy
Program Director, Alumni Engagement, National Networks