Each of UC's 2,600 endowment funds has its own story and makes its own impact. Each one supports a specific scholarship, professorship, research project, or other program; and, ultimately, UC’s mission.
From helping a student afford to attend college, to sponsoring a lecture series that inspires a future career, to developing a life-saving drug, to exonerating an innocent life...their missions are varied and their stories and impacts reach far and wide; and it's the privilege of the Investment Office to work ambitiously day-by-day to drive investment gains in order to maximize those impacts.
Two programs we're particularly proud to support through the endowment are the Ohio Innocence Project (OIP) and the Gen-1 Impact House. These programs are making an immeasurable impact thanks, in part, to the perpetual gifts which helped to establish and continue to provide funds for each endeavor.
The goal of the Ohio Innocence Project is to exonerate every wrongly-convicted Ohioan. Harnessing the energy and intellect of UC law students as its driving force, OIP seeks to identify inmates in Ohio prisons who are actually innocent of the crimes they were convicted of committing. Since its founding in 2003, the Ohio Innocence Project has helped 42 individuals obtain their long-sought freedom.
We are their last hope. Someone to advocate and believe in them and fight for them when no one else will.
Mallorie Thomas Former OIP Fellow
Gen-1 is a groundbreaking UC program and the nation's first living-learning community to focus on first-generation college students. The Gen-1 Program was established in 2008 and is a living and learning community that shepherds Pell-eligible, 1st generation college students helping to ensure academic success through high-intensity advising, academic courses, and co-curricular experiences. One such measure of success is Gen-1's 92% 1st-to-2nd-year retention rate — well above the national rate of 62%.
September 13, 2024
As an ambitious a third-year law student at the University of Cincinnati, Nicholas Anderson has taken full advantage of opportunities that align with his passion for public service and social justice, thanks in large part to support from the Nathaniel R. Jones Center for Race, Gender and Social Justice fund.
September 12, 2024
Charles Rappe ’24 came to UC as a 26-year-old who had followed a unique career path. In the years after college, he had worked as an archeologist, cook, computer programmer, videographer and, finally, a police officer.
August 27, 2024
Benya Coleman, A&S ’26, and Silas Curry, CECH ’27, say that without the support of the Marian Spencer Scholars Program, they would not be enrolled at the University of Cincinnati.
August 2, 2024
Pouring himself into his profession, ‘medical man’ and proud Bearcat Dean Kereiakes is one of the world’s premier cardiologists.
July 11, 2024
Artificial intelligence systems have quickly advanced and can answer just about any question, but how they come to their decisions often isn't understood, even by the people who create the AI. Lynn Pickering, a University of Cincinnati alumna who is working on her PhD at UC, wants to make sure AI is used safely and responsibly. She wants people to be able to review how AI models come to their answers and ensure humans have opportunities to make final decisions, not the machines.
June 3, 2024
The arts space currently faces a severe shortage of diversity, but UC student Jerrell Francisco is on a mission to bring underrepresented groups into the field.
