UC to Award Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters to Lois and Richard Rosenthal

Longtime Cincinnati benefactors Lois and Richard Rosenthal will each receive an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from the University of Cincinnati at the university’s Commencement Ceremony at 10 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 13, in Fifth Third Arena at Shoemaker Center. The honor recognizes the Rosenthals’ deep commitment to the Cincinnati USA community.

Richard Rosenthal owned and managed F&W Publications – a magazine and book publisher of materials for aspiring writers, artists, woodworkers and genealogists – from 1985 until he sold the company in 1999. His wife, Lois, wrote a newspaper column, consumer books on the local and national level, and edited Story, an award-winning literary magazine.

Though the Rosenthals had always been active in the community, after F&W Publications was sold, they were able to spend more time initiating programs and lending support to those in which they were involved. It was then that they created Uptown Arts, a downtown children’s arts center that offers free classes in music, dance, acting and art for 300 children between ages five and ten who qualify for a free lunch at school. In addition, their 2003 gift to the Cincinnati Art Museum allowed the museum to eliminate the cost of admission, demonstrating their principle that art should be available and accessible to all people.  In that same year, the Contemporary Arts Center moved into its new home:  The Lois and Richard Rosenthal Center for Contemporary Art.  It is the first museum in America designed by a woman – Zaha Hadid.

Their gift establishing the Rosenthal Institute for Justice at UC’s College of Law, funds the Ohio Innocence Project, which identifies inmates convicted of crimes they did not commit. This program has supported efforts resulting in the release of five inmates.

“The freedom of these men is priceless,” says Mark Godsey, UC professor of law and faculty director of the Lois and Richard Rosenthal Institute for Justice/Ohio Innocence Project. “All future inmates who gain their freedom will have the Rosenthals to thank.”

“With every success of the Lois and Richard Rosenthal Institute for Justice, its caseload grows exponentially as more and more people become aware of its crucial work. Thanks to Lois and Dick’s tremendous commitment, leadership and generosity, the project is strengthening its ability to make a difference and bring justice to the wrongly convicted,” says Louis D. Bilionis, dean of the UC College of Law and Nippert Professor of Law.

The Rosenthals’ focus is on projects that support social justice, education and the arts.  Leveling the playing field so that people of all incomes have opportunities is their primary goal.

Richard Rosenthal currently serves on the boards of the FreeStore/Foodbank and the Executive Committee of the Fine Arts Fund. He has also served as chairman chairman of the Contemporary Arts Center, as well as a community volunteer for the Better Business Bureau, Seven Hills School, Walnut Hills High School, the Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Art Academy and the University of Cincinnati.

Lois Rosenthal, a UC alumna, is active in all of the programs supported by the couple. She currently serves on the boards of the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, the Cincinnati Museum Center and the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.

The Rosenthals reside in Cincinnati and have two children and four grandchildren.