Veterans Representing the UC Community to Be Recognized for Their Service

Military marches featuring the Bearcat Band, the “Star Spangled Banner,” “Taps” and a presentation of the colors by UC Army and Air Force ROTC cadets – all will be among the highlights of a dramatic ceremony at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 9, on UC’s McMicken Commons, to honor university veterans past and present who have served their country. The inclement weather location will be the Atrium in Tangeman University Center (TUC).

The ceremony led by UC President Nancy L. Zimpher features guest speaker Brigadier General James M. Kowalski who’s both a veteran and a UC alumnus.

The ceremony pays special tribute to two UC alums who are World War Two Veterans, as well as a UC representative of the Vietnam and Desert Storm Wars, and two UC ROTC cadets who served in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom. They will join in the formal presentation of a university proclamation to honor veterans of the UC community. The proclamation will be on permanent display in the ROTC building, located at the corner of Dennis Street and Corry Boulevard on UC’s campus.

The entire University of Cincinnati community is invited to this special ceremony, as well as Tristate veterans and the general public. The closest parking is at the CCM Garage. (Map of UC’s campus)

Closing the ceremony will be a rendition of Taps featuring buglers stationed in the towers of TUC and McMicken Hall. A reception for the veterans will follow the ceremony in Room 310 of University Pavilion.

The university holiday in honor of Veterans Day is Friday, Nov. 10.

UC Veterans Taking Part in the Nov. 9 Ceremony

• Brigadier General James M. Kowalski –The ceremony guest speaker is both a veteran and a UC alumnus. General Kowalski earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from UC in 1979. He is commander of the 552nd Air Control Wing at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City, and is responsible for the Air Combat Command’s fleet of E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft, and for supporting combatant commanders around the world. General Kowalski leads approximately 3,900 people and manages resources that include 32 aircraft valued at $9.6 billion. He was commissioned through the ROTC in 1979 following his graduation from the University of Cincinnati.
• Dante Di Tommaso, World War II Veteran – Dante Di Tommaso’s five years of service included two years of combat duty in the South Pacific. He participated in the initial combat landing at Bougainville and Luzon. His awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, Presidential Citation, Philippine Government Liberation Medal, Victory Medal and Philippine Presidential Citation. He is a graduate of the UC College of Business Administration and the ROTC program.
• Lynn Ashley, World War II Veteran – Lynn Ashley earned her doctorate in Educational Foundations from UC in 1985. A pioneer on two fronts for women’s equality, she was a riveter with Douglas Aircraft and then joined the Women’s Army Corps.
• Sophia Dziegielewski, director of the UC School of Social Work – A Vietnam-era and Desert Storm veteran, Sophia Dziegielewski served with the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Army.
• Nicholas Browning, UC Army ROTC Cadet – An Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom veteran, Nicholas Browning of Hamilton, Ohio, is a UC senior and history major who served in Iraq.
• Libya Watson, UC Air Force ROTC Cadet – An Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom veteran, Libya Watson, of New Orleans, La., is a UC junior and civil engineering major who served in Iraq.