Bold

UC dominates 'Most Amazing College Architecture'

UC's campus transformation continues to attract attention, with the latest accolade coming from Top Colleges Online. UC grabbed four spots on the website's new list of "The 50 Most Amazing Examples of College Architecture." The UC buildings on the list are the Vontz Center for Molecular Studies, the Steger Student Life Center, the Engineering Research Center, and the Campus Recreation Center.

Read more.

Jackson returns to UC as Arts & Sciences dean

Cincinnati native Ronald L. Jackson II will become dean of the McMicken College of Arts & Sciences on July 1 pending approval from the UC Board of Trustees. As an outstanding legacy UC student, he earned bachelor's and master's degrees from the college, followed by a doctorate from Howard University in Washington, D.C. He returns to UC from the University of Illinois where he has been a professor and administrator.

Read more about the new dean.

  Strong

UC repeats as one of 'greenest' schools

Its strong commitment to sustainability has resulted in UC being named one of the nation's top "green schools" by the Princeton Review for the 3rd consecutive year. UC was specifically recognized for incorporating sustainability measures throughout university operations and classrooms; studying and researching sustainability issues in an urban context; erecting and maintaining buildings that meet LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards; and reducing its environmental footprint toward eventually becoming carbon-neutral.

UC earns high rankings from international students

As the international student population at UC rises, so does their collective satisfaction, according to the latest International Student Barometer, an annual survey of international students attending 238 global institutions. UC ranked 1st among U.S. universities--and in the global top 10--for providing certain learning, living and support opportunities, as well as certain services pertaining to students' arrival as their studies begin. Overall, UC ranked 4th among U.S. institutions and 65th worldwide.

Two universities find new leaders in UC alumni

Mohammad Qayoumi, a 4-time UC graduate, was inaugurated as San Jose State University's 28th president last month. A native of Afghanistan, after receiving a bachelor's degree from American University in Beirut, Lebanon, he earned an MBA, two engineering master's degrees and a doctorate from UC.

Wichita State University tapped John Bardo in April to become its 13th president. Bardo's 35-year career in higher education started with an undergraduate degree in economics from UC in 1970. He previously served as chancellor of Western Carolina University.

Read more about Qayoumi and Bardo.

  Ambitious

UC student is Goldwater Scholar

Brad Theilman, a pre-junior studying biomedical engineering and mathematics, has been named a 2012 Barry M. Goldwater Scholar. The Goldwater Scholarship is awarded to outstanding sophomores and juniors who intend to pursue research-oriented careers in math, natural sciences and engineering.

"Humans can build computers that do wonderful things, but the human mind doesn't work anything like a computer and it can solve problems that no computer can solve," said Theilman, who intends to become a research professor studying how information is processed in biological neural networks.

Read more about Theilman and UC's Office of Nationally Competitive Awards.

Consummate UC couple finds 'win-win' investment

Bill and Edlyn Simmons are accomplished and dedicated alumni as well as successful investors. Their UC passion and investment savvy combined when they discovered Charitable Remainder Trusts as a way to help Bearcat students and realize income from their gift.

Bill's engineering degree at UC was complemented by Edlyn's education in research chemistry. Their subsequent careers enabled them to turn some of their investments into a recent gift to their alma mater. "The university invests the money we provided initially, and the returns are sent to us," Edlyn said. "We use that money as we wish. When we're gone, the remainder will belong to UC."

"If we can help somebody now who is really worthy of it and needs that financial assistance, it's a win-win for the students and us," Bill said. "Plus, it just feels good."

Read more about their story and charitable trusts, and watch a video.