UC's Annual Cincinnati Business Achievement Awards Honors Leaders

The University of Cincinnati Carl H. Lindner College of Business Alumni Board of Governors once again bestowed its annual Cincinnati Business Achievement Awards on March 1, 2012, in the Presidential Ballroom at the Westin Cincinnati. As Cincinnati’s longest standing event recognizing business achievement and community service, business alumni and leaders were recognized for their contributions before a crowd of nearly 500.

The 27th annual event, emceed by LOCAL 12 news anchor Rob Braun, highlighted the accomplishments and support of individuals and business partners who make an impact in the Lindner College of Business, the Cincinnati community and the global business world.

To honor the memory of the late Carl H. Lindner Jr., who died in October at the age of 92, participants watched a video presentation that highlighted his strong connection to UC, its business college and his unwavering support of its programs and students. The college was named in his honor in June 2011.

Chaired by Elroy E. Bourgraf, BBA ’54, chairman of Ferno-Washington Inc. and a 1997 recipient of the Carl H. Lindner Award for Outstanding Business Achievement, the 2012 event awarded honors for outstanding business achievement, distinguished service, business partnership and collegiate scholarship.

Tom Nies, BBA ’62, MBA ’68, Cincom Systems president and CEO, received the Carl H. Lindner Award for Outstanding Business Achievement. The award, presented to him by longtime friend Bourgraf, is given to a Lindner College of Business graduate who best exemplifies an entrepreneurial spirit with commitment to business, community and the highest level of success within one’s profession.

Thomas E. Mischell, BBA ’70, senior vice president of American Financial Group and Kirk L. Perry, BBA ’90, president of P&G’s Global Family Care were awarded the Distinguished Service Award for their individual commitment to the college, UC as a whole, and/or the Cincinnati community. Lindner College of Business Dean David M. Szymanski presented these two awards. 

Fifth Third Bank received the Business Partnership Award for its substantial support to the Lindner College of Business. This year’s recipient was hailed for its significant and ongoing investment in sustaining exceptional college programs and providing career opportunities for business students and graduates. Dean Szymanski and the college’s Board of Governors President Randy Sagraves presented the award to Mike Michael, president and CEO of Fifth Third Bank’s Cincinnati affiliate.

UC President Gregory H. Williams was on-hand to present the Carl H. Lindner Scholarship to Jared A. Yates, BBA ’13. In recognition of Yates’ outstanding academic achievement as a Marvin P. Kolodzik Business Scholar, Williams, joined by Dean Szymanski, presented the scholarship – one of the oldest that bears the Lindner name. Yates, who has made the dean’s list each quarter of his UC stint, is an accounting and international business major.

On behalf of the UC College of Business Alumni Board of Governors, the college again congratulates our award recipients and thanks all of this year's sponsors.