University of Cincinnati Launches Largest Fundraising Campaign in University History

On Saturday, Oct. 25, the University of Cincinnati begins the public phase of the largest fund raising campaign in the University’s history. Proudly Cincinnati – Tower of Strength, Rock of Truth: The Campaign for the University of Cincinnati will raise $1 billion to support UC’s vision of becoming the finest public urban research university in the country. Gifts may be made through the Proudly Cincinnati Web site at http://www.uc.edu/proudlycincinnati/

Proudly Cincinnati’s planning began in July 2005 and will run through 2013. The campaign will focus on support for scholarships, great teaching and excellence in research and will further combine UC’s strengths in student life, academics, athletics, research, facilities, international focus and diversity to make each facet of the university an international benchmark.

This ambitious vision will be achieved through six initiatives that position UC as the finest public urban research university for the 21st Century: 

21st-Century Learning
UC is globally recognized for its emphasis on experiential learning via cooperative education, clinical training and study abroad. New funds will deepen and broaden ongoing teaching and learning efforts as well as foster new ones, providing funds for first-year and senior capstone experiences, to enhance honors programs and to endow professorships that will guide new and extraordinary learning paradigms.

Health in the 21st Century
Collaborative research across UC colleges and disciplines – like medicine, nursing, allied health sciences, pharmacy and others – are already developing new procedures, technologies and pharmaceuticals that deliver state-of-the-art health care to the population. Facilities, equipment, top investigators and students will only accelerate groundbreaking research, speeding discoveries to solve the greatest health challenges: cancer, cardiovascular disease, metabolic disease and neurological conditions as well as support research related to trauma, nanomedicine, hearing, stroke and more.

Science and Technology in the 21st Century
UC boasts several areas of strength, including chemical and bio sensors, computational science, nanotechnology, environmental sciences, aerospace and space-related research and other STEMM (science, technology, engineering, math and medicine) disciplines. Proudly Cincinnati will commit resources to these and other programs that will, in turn, advance the region’s and the nation’s global competitiveness.

Arts, Design and the Humanities in the 21st Century
UC’s programs related to design, the arts and the humanities are nationally and internationally recognized. These programs’ contributions to quality of life issues for the region’s residents and even national industry are models that others follow. Greater interdisciplinary efforts must be fostered for continued growth and improvement.

Urban Solutions for the 21st Century
Great cities need great universities, and Cincinnati is no different. The city provides the university’s future students, experiential learning opportunities, research venues and support. The university supplies valuable human capital, solutions for pressing environmental and social challenges, economic stability and more. Already, UC is recognized as one of only 50 universities across the country with an exemplary focus on community outreach and engagement. Proudly Cincinnati will provide critical resources to create lasting and powerful partnerships.

The UC Experience
It’s about placing students at the center, giving priority to the programs and services that bring students to UC, keeps them here and helps them reach their educational goals.

Through these initiatives, UC will support scholarships and fellowships, providing opportunities to students; faculty support and endowed chairs, advancing great teaching; excellence in research throughout the university’s programs; and enriching the students’ educational journeys through experiential opportunities.

Co-chairs for the campaign will be UC alumni Otto M. Budig, Jr., president, Budco Group, Inc.; H. C. Buck Niehoff, Peck, Shaffer & Williams LLP; John F. Barrett, chairman/president/CEO of Western-Southern Financial; Stanley M. Chesley, senior partner, Waite, Schneider, Bayless & Chesley; C. Mack, Yvonne C. and Oscar P. Robertson, president, OR Solutions; George A. Schaefer, Jr., retired chairman, Fifth Third Bancorp; S. Jay Stewart, retired chairman, Autoliv Inc., Richard E. Thornburgh, vice chairman, Corsair Capital, Margaret K. Valentine, vice president & secretary, Valentine Research, Inc; Edward W. Wedbush, president & CEO, Wedbush Morgan Securities; Steven A. Wilson, retired president & CEO, The Nielsen Company; and Anthony Zingale, retired president & COO Mercury Interactive Corp; and UC friend David B. Dillon, chairman & CEO, The Kroger Company

Jeffrey P. Williams, president, Jeffrey Williams & Company LLC; and Jeffrey L. Wyler, president & CEO, Jeff Wyler Automotive Family, Inc. and UC President Nancy L. Zimpher will serve as ex-officio chairs and former UCF Chair James C. Kautz and Ellen Rieveschl will serve as honorary co-chairs.

Campaign co-chairs will assist the Foundation in building and organizing the campaign, and will provide focus on reaching the corporate community, friends and alumni of UC. Additionally, regional chairs will develop volunteer groups around the country. Colleges and units will have campaign chairs focused on their unique campaign priorities for their students, faculty and programs.

For more information about the Proudly Cincinnati campaign, see http://www.uc.edu/proudlycincinnati/