UC’s 2011 Mr. Bearcat Award Goes to a Highly Awarded Graduate
Drew Smith of Columbus, Ohio, received numerous honors at the University Recognition Ceremony.
The recipient of the 2011 Mr. Bearcat Award is certainly a familiar face on campus. But he says it was his UC experience that truly transformed him from the days when he entered UC as an alternative rock musician.| Drew Smith |
Drew Smith was named the recipient of the 2011 Mr. Bearcat Award at the May 15 University Recognition Ceremony. The award honors a graduating senior man who has achieved academic success, demonstrated leadership in diverse settings and has contributed to UC with his “Bearcat Spirit.” As a graduate in the Carl H. Lindner Honors-PLUS Program, he also continues Sigma Sigma Honorary’s long tradition of recognizing graduates of the College of Business with the Mr. Bearcat Award.
Smith, who is also a graduate of the University Honors Program for academically talented students, was UC’s 2010-11 Student Body President. His honors this year include being one of four UC graduates to receive the Presidential Leadership Medal of Excellence – UC’s highest honor for undergraduates. He was recognized nationally with the 2011 Wayne S. Colvin Fraternal Values Award from the Association of Fraternal Leadership and Values (AFLV). The award recognizes an undergraduate whose leadership exemplifies the core values and priorities of fraternity and sorority life. He is a member and past president of UC’s Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity.
Smith was also honored with Greek Man of the Year Award at the University Recognition Ceremony, as well as the Spirit of Community Award by the College of Business for his contributions to the college and the campus community.
But, he says when he started at UC in fall 2006, he wasn’t the suit-wearing student leader that his peers have been used to seeing on campus. “I was living the alternative rock lifestyle, playing in a band with low motivation for campus life. I had no idea what I was going to do with my life, or really what I was in for at the university,” says Smith.
He says his transformation began when he pledged Alpha Epsilon Pi Jewish Fraternity during his first week in college. He says that involvement sparked his interest in getting more involved on campus, including becoming a resident advisor in Siddall Hall his sophomore year.
A longtime activist in the battle against cancer, Smith continued that advocacy by participating in UC’s student-organized Relay For Life to benefit the American Cancer Society, honoring a grandfather, grandmother, stepmother and close childhood friend who had all battled cancer.
As Student Body President, he spent his final year at UC promoting stronger connections to campus for all students, as well as instituting a sustainability pledge to promote a more sustainable student lifestyle.
After graduating from UC this June with a bachelor’s in operations management and international business, he’ll be off to join GE’s elite two-year operations management leadership program (OMLP), a result of his six-term co-op experiences with General Electric.
In all, quite a transformation from when he first entered UC.
Smith’s graduation continues a family tradition of UC alums, including his father, Larry (chemical engineering), uncle, Robert (pre-pharmacy) and grandfather, Joseph (business administration).