Spectrum News: UC student raises money for children in Ethiopia
Bitanya Derese raised $1,000 during her first semester at UC
First-year University of Cincinnati student Bitanya Derese has continued to raise money for children living in poverty in her native Ethiopia, Spectrum News reported.
Derese, one of 10 students this year who received the annual Cincinnatus Presidential Scholarship, started raising money for children in Ethiopia while she was in high school. She raised $1,000 during her first semester at UC, bringing the total amount her charitable foundation has raised to almost $4,000.
“I want to keep spreading the world and trying to help the people of Ethiopia,” Derese told Spectrum News. “Whether it’s my 9-to-5 job or not, I always want to be doing something that gives me a sense of purpose in this world.”
Derese, who is studying marketing in UC’s Carl H. Lindner College of Business, immigrated to the United States with her family when she was 3 years old. As a high school sophomore, she started her foundation as a way to support children who aren't as fortunate as her.
“Bitanya’s story is one of generosity, gratitude, and empowerment,” said Ruth Seiple, director of the Lindner Business Honors program. “In a community where leadership is nurtured, (we’re) giving her a place to make an impact beyond the classroom and into her personal circles of influence.
“What is unique about Bitanya in the honors program is her initiative as a freshman in her first semester on campus. She has hit the ground running, wasting no time or opportunities.”
Featured image at top: University of Cincinnati student Bitanya Derese leads a charitable foundation that raises money for an organization called Korah Kids, which supports some of the most vulnerable children in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Photo courtesy of Bitanya Derese
Become a Bearcat
Whether you’re a first-generation student or from a family of Bearcats, UC is proud to support you at every step along your journey. We want to make sure you succeed — and feel right at home.
Related Stories
A jolly good trip: Bearcats take on London for fragrance company
May 15, 2026
Six NEXT Innovation Scholars at the University of Cincinnati traveled to London to transform field research into actionable recommendations for British luxury bath, body and fragrance brand Molton Brown.
Driven by curiosity, guided by care
May 14, 2026
Max Wilson, a University of Cincinnati College of Allied Health Sciences health sciences major on the pre-physician assistant track, found his path expanding beyond the classroom and into hands-on research focused on human performance and patient care.
New cohort of nursing students get ready to join co-ops
May 14, 2026
A new chapter is beginning for more than 100 University of Cincinnati College of Nursing rising seniors as they embark on one of the most distinctive experiences in undergraduate nursing education: the UC Nursing Co-op Program. The incoming cohort will fan out across Cincinnati's premier healthcare institutions, stepping into some of the most dynamic and specialized clinical environments in the region. Placement sites include UC Medical Center (UCMC), West Chester Hospital, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC) Burnet, College Hill, and Liberty campus.