2019 Outstanding Philanthropic Volunteer Award winners
UC Foundation honors individuals and groups for contributions to UC and UC Health
The University of Cincinnati Foundation announced today its 2019 Outstanding Philanthropic Volunteer Award winners – those individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary philanthropic commitments to UC and UC Health. Honorees include Margaret Valentine, A&S, Ed ’71 and Michael Valentine, CEAS ’73; Dianne Dunkelman, founder and CEO of the Building Healthy Lives Foundation; IMPACT Autism; Karen Hatcher, UC’s executive senior associate athletic director for external relations; and Rachel Roseman, MEd ’18.
“These annual awards are a wonderful reminder of the importance of our work,” said UC Foundation Board of Trustees Chair W. Troy Neat. “The UC Foundation exists to inspire a community of UC and UC Health supporters through the power of philanthropy.”
“Each honoree has inspired us by giving back in significant ways to UC and UC Health,” said UC Foundation President Peter Landgren. “From transformative supporters of UC athletic and educational programs, to world-class leaders in health initiatives, to a driving force behind the UC Bearcats Pantry, our 2019 award winners have made a remarkable impact. We thank them for making a difference in our local and global community.”
Chairman’s Award – Margaret and Michael Valentine
The Chairman’s Award is the UC Foundation’s highest recognition for a volunteer who has made a noteworthy, institution-wide philanthropic impact. This year, the award went to UC alumni Margaret and Michael Valentine. The Valentines were selected for their incredible legacy at UC – the transformative, multi-million-dollar gifts made through the years to both athletic and educational programs and their dedicated leadership. Margaret is currently a member of the UC Board of Trustees and UC Foundation Board of Trustees; Michael is a former member of the UC Foundation Board of Trustees.
Michael is a 1973 graduate of UC’s College of Engineering and Applied Science, where he received his degree in electrical engineering. He was one of the founders of Cincinnati Microwave, as well as its first president, before co-founding Valentine Research, Inc. with Margaret. Valentine Research is a privately-held company that designs, manufactures and markets consumer electronics. Margaret serves as the company’s vice president. She earned both her BA and BS from UC in 1971 before earning a master’s degree in education from Miami University.
Trustees’ Award – Dianne Dunkelman
The UC Foundation’s Trustees’ Award recognizes a volunteer’s contributions to advancing philanthropy for a specific college or area. Dianne Dunkelman received the award for her work with UC’s College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services (CECH) and Division of Student Affairs. With CECH, Dunkelman developed Clever Crazes for Kids, which provides educational enrichment focused on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics). With student affairs, she pioneered support for LGBTQ students by establishing the Sawyer Pardo Endowed Scholarship Fund in honor of her grandchild.
Dunkelman is the founder and CEO of the Building Healthy Lives Foundation and is recognized nationally for her work in women’s health initiatives and national projects for elementary education.
Group Philanthropy Award – IMPACT Autism
Founded by Diana O’Brien with the support of friends and family, IMPACT Autism seeks to change the world for people living with autism by providing life management solutions for overcoming educational, emotional and social challenges. The organization received the Group Philanthropy Award this year for its generous support of Impact Innovation, a partnership with CECH where adults are provided meaningful employment opportunities and inclusive experiences on UC’s campus.
Three years after its creation, UC’s Impact Innovation program now serves 20 adults who learn through vocational internships on and off campus, exercise at the UC Campus Recreation Center, and participate in a wide range of classes and activities.
Staff Award of Merit – Karen Hatcher
The UC Foundation’s Staff Award of Merit was awarded to Karen Hatcher, UC’s executive senior associate athletic director for external relations and assistant vice president for development at the UC Foundation. Hatcher was recognized for her incredible support of UC Athletics – she has personally raised more than $69 million in support of the university’s student-athletes – and exemplary mentorship of colleagues and students alike.
Hatcher is a veteran sports marketing and fundraising professional, with more than 20 years of experience in strategic communications, marketing solutions, nonprofit work, community outreach and event management.
Student Philanthropy Award – Rachel Roseman
This year’s Student Philanthropy Award went to Rachel Roseman, who recently completed her master’s degree in education at UC. While a graduate student, Roseman helped establish the UC Bearcats Pantry to serve students experiencing food insecurities. She organized more than 20 food drives, co-wrote multiple grants, engaged faculty and staff for support, created a resource guide for students and facilitated meetings with pantry users to gauge effectiveness.
Roseman’s efforts resulted in the pantry expanding to a larger space in Stratford Heights and allowed the pantry to broaden its services with satellite locations across UC, including UC Blue Ash and UC Clermont campuses. She is now a school counselor at North College Hill Elementary.
Featured image at top: Margaret and Michael Valentine with Karen Hatcher.
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