Bearcats Donor Larry Sheakley Will Be Honored At December Commencement

Larry Sheakley, C.E.O. of the Sheakley Group, an outstanding supporter of the UC Bearcats as well as an outstanding benefactor of the Cincinnati community, will be made an honorary alumnus at December Commencement.  Sheakley will be recognized with an Honorary Doctor of Commercial Science at

UC’s Commencement Ceremony at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 15, in Fifth Third Arena.

Among many business investments, Larry currently serves as chairman for Lyonshare Investments, Inc., is owner and partner of the Cincinnati Reds, The IL Mulino of New York chain of restaurants, and C-Bank,  a locally owned bank he helped form.  Larry is also owner and managing partner of Irish Air, LLC. Larry has significant investments in the local Real Estate Market, and private Equity.  He is partner and owner in Pro-Procure, a London, England-based technology business and has partnered to build a golf course outside of Auckland, New Zealand.  Mr. Sheakley is majority owner and chairman of Touchstone Merchandise Group, headquartered in Mason, Ohio.

Although Sheakley is not an alumnus of UC (he attended Ohio University), his father, Raymond Sheakley, graduated from UC in 1949. As a result, Larry became a Bearcats fan as a child, watching great student athletes such as Oscar Robertson.

A gift in memory of his father led to the construction of Sheakley Lawn within UC’s Varsity Village. More recently he, along with his wife, Rhonda, were the major benefactors behind the Sheakley Athletics Center, the football practice facility beside Jefferson Avenue. The facility is also the home of UC's lacrosse team.

“Larry’s contributions to grow UC Athletics have benefited the entire student body – those who are earning athletic scholarships as well as those who take pride in their alma mater,” says Whit Babcock, director of UC Athletics.

“Paramount to his list of accomplishments and contributions is the manner with which Larry conducts his business and his community involvement. He is the true embodiment of the entrepreneurial spirit. He is first-class, a gentleman, and a true Bearcat in all facets. He is well deserving of this prestigious honor,” says Babcock.

Sheakley’s generosity to UC goes beyond UC Athletics, with his support of the Lindner Center of Hope, the UC Cancer Center, the Carl H. Lindner College of Business and the UC College of Law. Holding various civic and cultural interests, Larry is a member of numerous boards, both public and private. Larry served as president and chairman of the Cincinnati Art Museum, vice chair of the Cincinnati Opera, and Vice Chair of the Taft Museum of Art. Larry served on the University of Cincinnati Foundation Board, and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of America where he served on the national board in New York City and also president of the Cincinnati Chapter. Larry served on the board for the Playhouse in the Park as well as co-chair of the Cincinnati Opera Capital Campaign and co-chair of Cincinnati Ballet building committee. He was involved in the leadership campaign for both United Way and the Cincinnati Fine Arts Fund.