Ohio Higher Ed Chancellor and Legislators Pay Tribute to UC During Bicentennial Year

The University of Cincinnati celebrated its Bicentennial where its founding charters began in 1819: the capital of Ohio in Columbus on March 12.

President Neville Pinto accepted special commendations marking the university’s 200^th birthday from Ohio Department of Higher Education Chancellor Randy Gardner, alumnus and State Senator Cecil Thomas, and alumna and State Representative Brigid Kelly as other state officials and alumni joined in the celebration.

The Columbus event provided a fitting nod to UC’s roots, as it was the state legislature that voted in 1819 to issue two charters to create the Medical College of Ohio and Cincinnati College, forerunners of today’s University of Cincinnati.

On hand for the event were hundreds of well wishers greeted by President Pinto, Foundation President Peter Landgren and Alumni Association Executive Director Jen Heisey as well as UC Board Chair Wym Portman, and Board members Margaret Valentine and Phil Collins. Phil and Lela Collins as well as Kim Dobbs are UC’s bicentennial co-chairs, and both Phil and Kim also attended the event.

In his remarks, President Pinto recalled UC’s storied past and promising future guided by the university’s strategic direction, Next Lives Here, with its vision of leading urban universities into a new era of innovation and impact.

He said, “Through Next Lives Here, our vision is to give our students an outward-facing educational experience. For example, our faculty and students are partners with the state in the new Ohio Cyber Range focused on cyber security.”

Added Pinto, “We are re-imagining not only the spaces in which we teach and learn but also the cooperative education opportunities best suited for the digital world. We call it Co-op 2.0…It will mean crafting co-ops in conjunction with employers across the state and the nation to address the needs and culture of today and tomorrow. As we take the first steps into UC’s next century, our university will continue to help our students to reach their fullest potential and to drive innovation in our state.”