UC Excellence Embodied in 2026 Slate of Alumni Honorees
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Alumni Celebration to Recognize 18 Remarkable Bearcats for Life
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While many factors go into establishing our university’s reputation, we are especially proud of the impact our alumni have on the world. After all, preparing students to make a difference is higher education’s principal purpose. So each year, we recognize the tremendous success of our Bearcats for Life by honoring a group of 18 alumni who represent the full spectrum of the UC family. This year, these special alumni will be spotlighted at the UC Alumni Celebration to be held April 16 during Alumni Week.
Leading our honorees is Vinod Dham, CEAS ’77, who will receive our highest alumni award, the William Howard Taft Medal for Notable Achievement. Widely known as the “Father of the Pentium Chip” for his pioneering work in the semiconductor and computer chip field, Vin embodies innovation on a global scale. Our Marian A. Spencer Mosaic Award honoree is Padma Chebrolu, CECH ’92, an accomplished heritage artist, filmmaker, author, corporate leader, and community advocate whose career has lived at the intersection of business, arts education, community well-being, and environmental sustainability. Tom Cassady, A&S ’76, Hon ’19, will receive the Robert E. Dobbs Distinguished Service Award in recognition of his tremendous servant leadership on the boards of both UC and UC Health. And Dr. Ryan Marable, Phar ’13, is our Jeffrey Hurwitz Young Alumni Outstanding Achievement Award recipient for his impressive accomplishments and leadership in the pharmacy and medical information fields.
The level of excellence demonstrated by our 2026 honorees is not only vital in an ever-changing world — it also compels us to share and celebrate it within the UC family. Our alma mater is viewed with tremendous respect because our alumni personify Next Lives Here that guides and shapes the UC community’s impact on the world. Watch for more information soon about the UC Alumni Celebration.
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Jennifer L. Heisey ’97
Chief Alumni Officer
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Jennifer L. Heisey '97
Chief Alumni Officer
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World’s Leader in AI More Than Doubles Its UC Presence
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Microsoft’s relationship with UC is accelerating with the software giant’s recent commitment to greatly expand its research space in the 1819 Innovation Hub and collaboration with students, faculty and community partners.
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Bearcats Love
is in the Air
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There's something special about two Bearcats meeting and falling in love. To celebrate Valentine's Day, we're sharing the unique stories of four Bearcat alumni couples. Read how their love stories began and where they're at now.
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UC Cancer Center
Names New Director
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Following a highly competitive national search, the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center has appointed David Gius, MD, PhD, as its next director. Gius, an internationally recognized physician-scientist and radiation oncologist, will officially begin his tenure on July 1, 2026.
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Crosley Tower’s Demolition to Run Through 2026
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A classic example of Brutalist architecture, Crosley Tower is seeing its last days. The building established a kind of love/hate relationship with members of the UC family since it was erected in 1969.
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UC’s Online Programs Earn 16 U.S. News Rankings
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In garnering a range of accolades from the new U.S. News & World Report evaluation of colleges and universities, UC has again affirmed its standing as a leader in online higher education.
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Athletics, UCATS
Announce Streamlined Donor Experience
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UC Athletics has simplified its UCATS donor structure and priority point system, part of an evolving approach to stewarding the philanthropy that will help fuel the Bearcats’ future success.
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Greg Hartmann to Lead UC Board of Trustees
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Current UC Board member, KMK law partner, and former Hamilton County Commissioner and Clerk of Courts Greg Hartmann was recently elected to serve as Board Chair for 2026.
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Arizona Bearcats to Gather at Reds Spring Training
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4A’s Professional Networking Dinner to Link Alumni, Students
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UC4A will host a dinner and panel discussion, featuring distinguished alumni, and alumni-student interactive speed networking on March 12 on campus.
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Co-op Helps Students Compete in Tight Job Market
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As the employment environment evolves, cooperative education at UC continues to demonstrate how it prepares our students to succeed through valuable, real-world work experiences.
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Lindner to Celebrate
Business Excellence
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AMA Grant to Advance College of Medicine’s AI Training
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UnCorked Celebrates
10-Year Anniversary
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The UC alumni wine club, UnCorked, was founded a decade ago. To celebrate the connections and great times that have taken place since then, UnCorked will host a festive gathering in Mariemont on Feb. 25.
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Lessons Learned at DAAP Lead to the Shark Tank
Leveraging her restaurant-and-bar work during college and her Fine Arts degree, Megan Pando, DAAP ’13, created Maker’s Social, a combination DIY arts-and-crafts/cocktail bar business, then pitched her innovation on NBC’s “Shark Tank” in January.
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Lifelong Learning Can Also Be Life-Altering
UC’s range of lifelong learning opportunities can benefit alumni in various ways, from career readiness and professional growth to fortifying their well-being and sense of purpose.
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FreeWill Enables Alumni to Leave a UC Legacy
A powerful way to support the mission of UC and UC Health is through a gift in your will. The UC Alumni Association has partnered with FreeWill to provide a free method to leave a personal legacy at your alma mater.
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Bearcats Can Receive Badge Discounts at SXSW
University of Cincinnati takes center stage as sponsor of SXSW 2026 Workplace Track. UC alumni can receive 15% off Platinum, Innovation, Film & TV, Music, and SXSW EDU badges for SXSW 2026, happening in March in Austin, TX. Contact the UC Alumni Association at 513-556-4344 or alumni@foundation.uc.edu to receive the discount code.
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