Three UC Seniors To Graduate With Special Medal From President Zimpher

An outgoing president of the UC Student Government, a former Bearcat mascot and a woman who has won national recognition for her approach to construction management – all three of these graduating seniors are 2005 recipients of the UC Presidential Leadership Medal of Excellence. Rachel Jarvis of Salineville, Ohio, Justin Shafer of Sycamore Township, and Steven Trepkowski of Brunswick, Ohio will be honored at the annual

University of Cincinnati Recognition Ceremony at 4 p.m., Sunday, May 15, in the Great Hall of Tangeman University Center.

The ceremony will be followed by a reception in the TUC Atrium.

Since 2002, the Presidential Leadership Medal of Excellence has honored UC graduates who exemplify leadership and service on campus and in the community. To be considered for the award, students must demonstrate a minimum 3.0 GPA as well as exhibit campus participation outside of class, such as participating in Student Government, or in honorary, service, social or athletic organizations. Furthermore, these students must be well known for their citizenship and service to UC and the community, and demonstrate potential for future success. Nominations for the award come from UC administrators, faculty and staff.

At the University Commencement on June 10, these high-achieving students will wear a bronze medal featuring the university crest on the front and their name on the back.

Rachel Jarvis – Jarvis will graduate with a BS in Construction Management and is looking ahead to a full-time job with Ryan Homes as a production supervisor. She has served as president of the College of Applied Science (CAS) Student Tribunal, president of Sigma Lambda Chi National Construction Honorary, president of Student Women in Construction, and has previously been awarded the College of Applied Science Honors Scholar of the Year and Student of the Year. She was also the recipient of top honors at a national competition of Associated Builders and Contractors. Jarvis is a volunteer for Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Cincinnati and led college fund-raising drives for tsunami relief and for the Cincinnati FreeStore/Foodbank. “In my 26 years of service at the University of Cincinnati, seldom have I seen such a combination of leadership, creativity and dedication to helping people,” Professor George Suckarieh wrote of Rachel in his nomination. “Rachel is a leader and a team player. She unselfishly helps her fellow students, the college faculty and university with exceptional zeal, never hesitating when she feels she could make a difference.”

Justin Shafer – The 2004-2005 Student Body President and Honors Scholar will graduate with a business degree with a focus in accounting/finance, and he’ll deliver the student farewell address at Commencement 2005. Shafer is a Carl H. Lindner Honors PLUS Scholar and is president and co-founder of the Honors PLUS Student Association. In addition to the national and campus honors as a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity, Shafer is a member of the Sigma Sigma Men’s Honorary, the Student Alumni Council, and he serves on the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis Task Force. Last year, he was named national Interfraternity Council Greek Man of the Year and was also honored with Sigma Phi Epsilon’s largest award, the Balanced Man Quest to Greece Award, which provided a two-week scholarship to study Greek heritage in Greece. Shafer is a graduate of Princeton High School and has lined up a job at Ernst & Young.

Steven Trepkowski – This former Bearcat mascot and Honors Scholar is graduating with a bachelor of fine arts degree in electronic media. His many campus activities include working as a student orientation leader, accompanying students by volunteering for the UC Nightwalk program and serving as president of the Sigma Sigma Men’s Honorary, as well as president of the Alpha Phi Omega Service Fraternity. He has been a Bearcast Student Radio DJ and program director, and is active in the Men of METRO Spirit Honorary. Trepkowski serves on the advisory board of the Cincinnati Youth Collaborative and through Alpha Phi Omega was active with the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Cincinnati, Keep Cincinnati Beautiful and the March of Dimes. Trepowski is pursuing a career as a television and film producer.