UC grad receives philanthropy award for alumni engagement
Mechanical engineering graduate Andrew Conley increases student-alumni connection
Andrew Conley (mechanical engineering '17). UC Student Philanthropy Award recipient.
Tuition and fees cover only a fraction of the actual cost of the college experience. State governments, foundations and generous individuals cover the rest of the bill. That’s why it’s so important for alumni to give back to their alma mater. Not only does it keep colleges afloat; it grants incoming students the opportunity to attend a university at a more affordable price.
Andrew Conley (mechanical engineering ’17) understood the value of alumni engagement as a University of Cincinnati student, and as an alumni, he remains engaged with his alma mater. On Oct. 12, the UC Foundation honored his efforts with the Student Philanthropy Award at the annual George Rieveschl Recognition Dinner.
Through his five years as a UC student, Conley consistently advocated for philanthropy and student engagement. He joined the Student Alumni Council, or SAC, as a sophomore and later held three executive board positions.
“Through SAC, I was able to connect students with the history, legacy and impact that alumni have on the student experience,” says Conley.
In 2016, Conley served as homecoming chair, running the student-facing aspects of the weekend. Under his leadership, the Student Alumni Council marketed events and introduced weeklong programming that increased donations and participation. Conley also served as president of the Men of METRO service honorary, a position he used to establish an alumni board that explored fundraising options and increased alumni engagement.
Conley’s interest in student-alumni interactions stems from a personal connection. Conley’s grandfather, Lamar Kerr, graduated with a mechanical engineering degree from UC, 54 years before Conley received his own.
Seeing what [my grandfather has] done with his career and everything he’s given back to UC made me think, there must be something to this.
Andrew Conley, UC mechanical engineering alumnus
“Learning about my grandfather’s experience at UC and how much he still loved UC after all these years got me interested in alumni involvement early on,” says Conley. “Seeing what he’s done with his career and everything he’s given back to UC made me think, there must be something to this.”
Conley’s connection to alumni also helped him land a job after graduation. He currently works as a cost engineer for the global flexible packaging company ProAmpac – Conley heard about the opportunity through a UC student who spent his cooperative education rotations with the company and was eventually hired by a fellow UC graduate.
As an alumnus, Conley continues to stay active on UC’s campus as secretary of the Sigma Sigma alumni board and member of the Greek Affairs alumni counsel. He is also a mentor to several students through the UC Alumni-Student Mentor Program.
“Alumni support is huge,” says Conley. “Engaging students, connecting them to our alumni and increasing awareness of what alumni actually do for students is vital for the university.”
Make Your Impact, Your Way
Whether you're alumni or just want to support the mission of UC, visit the UC Foundation to learn about how giving can have an impact on campus and in the community.
Related Stories
Recent advances may speed time to endometriosis diagnosis
March 16, 2026
The average time to clinical diagnosis of endometriosis is nine years. Definitive diagnosis of the disease is difficult, and until recently, has relied on laparoscopic surgery. Now, as Medscape recently reported, novel clinical recommendations, advanced diagnostic tools and research into inflammation and immune responses, are bringing promise that women with endometriosis will find relief sooner and without surgery, according to experts, including Katie Burns, PhD, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine associate professor.
Local media highlight completion of Blood Cancer Healing Center fourth and fifth floors
March 16, 2026
Local media including WLWT and the Cincinnati Business Courier highlighted the opening of research laboratories and the UC Osher Wellness Suite and Learning Kitchen at the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center’s Blood Cancer Healing Center.
Trial results support weekly buprenorphine treatment of opioid use disorder during pregnancy
March 16, 2026
Supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), researchers led by the University of Cincinnati's John Winhusen published clinical trial results in JAMA Internal Medicine that found administering weekly injectable extended-release buprenorphine for treatment of opioid use disorder during pregnancy led to higher rates of abstinence from illicit opioids than buprenorphine given daily under the tongue, one of the standard methods of treatment.