Bold

New JCPenney logo designed by UC student

Because corporate logos are cornerstones in developing and sustaining brand identity, companies take their primary marks very seriously. So it’s an enormous compliment to UC that third-year graphic design student Luke Langhus is the creator of the new logo for retail giant JCPenney.

The logo was redesigned to better appeal to younger and online customers. The selection of Langhus’ mark over 200+ other submissions heightens UC’s impact on the company; JCPenney chairman and CEO Mike Ullman is a UC alum and 1993 recipient of the William Howard Taft Medal. “Our new logo reflects the modern retailer we’ve become while continuing to honor our rich legacy,” Ullman said.

Great Living Cincinnatian class carries distinct UC flavor

Of the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber’s 4-person class of 2011 Great Living Cincinnatians, three pillars of the UC community were among the honorees. Judge Sandra Beckwith and Oscar Robertson are UC alumni, while Dr. John Tew, Jr., is clinical director of UC’s Neuroscience Institute at University Hospital and professor of neurosurgery at the College of Medicine.

Judge Beckwith was the first woman elected to Hamilton County’s Court of Common Pleas, the first female county commissioner, and the first woman to serve on the bench of the U.S. District Court for Ohio’s Southern District. She is known for her compassion and fair-mindedness in upholding the law.

Robertson is revered as perhaps the greatest college basketball player ever, yet the award also focused on his business achievements, character, integrity, groundbreaking work with the NBA Players Association, and community service. He helped transform his university as a student and has had similar impact as an active alumnus.

One of the world’s renowned, accomplished and innovative neurosurgeons, Dr. Tew’s great skill and patient-focused approach have saved thousands of lives while helping to establish UC as a leader in the neurosurgery field.

Read more about the honorees, and watch video tributes and acceptance remarks for each.

  Strong

CCM named Ohio Center of Excellence

An impeccable international reputation as one of the world’s top conservatories of performing and media arts has led the University System of Ohio to recognize UC’s College-Conservatory of Music as Ohio’s first Center of Excellence in Music and Performing Arts. The state describes Centers for Excellence as distinctive, nationally recognized programs that serve as platforms for world-class academic pursuits while helping to draw new talent and investment to the state.

CCM was honored for the acclaim and accomplishments of its graduates worldwide, and for its commitment to supporting the development of a vibrant arts community in the Greater Cincinnati region. In staging nearly 1,000 public performances per year, CCM represents the largest single source of performing arts events in Ohio.

Grad school programs rise in U.S. News rankings

This month’s U.S. News & World Report rankings of the nation’s graduate schools contained good news for a pair of UC’s colleges. Graduate programs in education in the College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services climbed to 55th out of 279 ranked schools, or the top 20%. “We continue to grow and are being noticed for our increasing quality,” said CECH Dean Larry Johnson.

The College of Business became one of the top 100 MBA programs in the country, coming in at 75th overall and 37th among public universities. Its part-time MBA program also cracked the top 100, which is increasingly important given the role that such programs play in the lives of working professionals. “We’re honored that U.S. News recognizes the top-quality graduate business education that UC provides,” said Dean David Szymanski. “We teach our students to connect research to reality, making our MBA graduates competitive in today’s marketplace.”

  Ambitious

Husband-and-wife doctors offer lessons on life and love

When aspiring doctors train to apply their skills to healing the sick and injured, they typically don’t imagine a crisis--let alone two--where their spouse is the patient. Yet that’s the story of two graduates of UC’s College of Medicine, as the husband-and-wife team of Tim and Alison Delgado has twice faced the moment of truth. Tim was an initial responder in UC Health’s Air Care helicopter when his wife was seriously injured in a cycling accident. A month later, he needed to perform an emergency tracheotomy when Alison suffered a brain aneurysm at home.

Their remarkable and still unfolding story, which attracted the attention of CNN, describes the rigors of their chosen profession, the dedication of a loving couple, and a look at life within a critical part of the UC community.

New development planned for Calhoun-McMillan space

Plans have come together for a multipurpose development in the blocks between Calhoun and McMillan streets south of UC’s main campus. The long-awaited development, to be called University Square at the Loop, will replace the vacant lots familiar to UC students and alumni in recent years.

While not a university project, the space has been a highly visible piece of the puzzle in the ongoing enhancement of Uptown and the UC environment. According to the developers, University Square at the Loop will include retail, restaurants, apartments, office space, parking and a hotel. Construction is set to begin this summer with completion by late 2012. Watch a video about the project.