Recognition Ceremony Honors Those Who Exemplify Just Community

The University of Cincinnati Recognition Ceremony will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 19 in the Grand Ballroom of Kingsgate Conference Center. Master of ceremonies will be Cheryll Dunn, associate dean for the College of Applied Science.

The ceremony honors outstanding members of the university community, featuring awards for academics, community spirit, athletics, service and UC's Just Community.

The following recipients of the Just Community Awards were selected for exemplifying the UC Just Community Principles of the pursuit of learning and scholarship; striving for excellence; celebrating the uniqueness of each individual; practicing civility; embracing freedom and openness; seeking integrity; promoting justice and accepting responsibility. Nominations were sent from all members of the UC community -- students, faculty and staff -- and were submitted for five categories:

Campus Administrators

Robin Arnsperger, interim director, UC Women's Center --Arnsperger will be recognized for her commitment to social justice issues. She was praised for her involvement with campus initiatives such as White Women Against Racism, the Association for Administrative and Professional Women, the Black Career Women's Can We Talk inclusion committee and her dedication to community issues.

Rabbi Abie Ingber, executive director, UC Hillel Jewish Student Center -- Ingber will be honored for his 25 years of service at Hillel and for planning events that extend a warm, genuine welcome to all cultures and religions of the UC community. He is also one of the area's well-respected community figures -- raising awareness and assistance for the less fortunate in the community and around the world.

UC Faculty

Jonathan Alexander, assistant English professor, University College -- Alexander was honored for his work as editor of the Just Community Readings, the collection of essays and short stories to encourage campus discussion of the Just Community initiative. He was also praised for his dedication to educating students about HIV and AIDS through a service learning course he co-designed.

Organization

CPAWS -- The Committee to Promote Athlete Welfare and Success is a service organization that promotes academics, athletics and personal development. The organization was praised for community service, including its involvement in Make A Difference Day and its volunteer work in urban schools.

Staff

Loreen Flynn, library associate, Academic Information Technology & Libraries -- Flynn was praised for her dedication, service and consideration of both employees and patrons. One student staff member called her a friend as well as a supervisor.

Student

Rhonda Myers, senior electrical engineering major -- Myers will be honored for her participation in programs that reflect the Just Community, including her service as president of the Society of Women Engineers for the past three years. Myers also heads the UC Engineering Outreach Program, which encourages UC women engineering students to serve as mentors to area high school seniors. Other community service activities included her dedication to organizing food and clothing donations for the needy, and her visits to patients in hospitals and retirement homes.