Cincinnati Media: Big surprises for future UC Bearcats

Jamiyah Turnage was all smiles.

The senior at North College Hill High School learned she got admitted to the University of Cincinnati and received a couple of scholarships totaling $7,000.

The Bearcat Mascot joined her on stage in the school auditorium, while the UC band played and members of the cheer team celebrated as her classmates applauded her good news. UC vice provost of admissions Jack Miner was on hand to present an official notice.

It was Decision Day and thousands of applicants learned they had been admitted to UC. A select five high school students in Greater Cincinnati, including Jamiyah, got a surprise that included a scholarship along with a UC entourage celebrating the newest Bearcats.

“I am in the green zone with a decision and I am very close to a ‘yes,’” Jamiyah explained after her surprise. “UC is one of the schools among my top five choices. My mom asked me about UC and she really convinced me to look into the school.”

Jamiyah is interested in a career in the health professions.

“I want to go to college and come out able to help people,” explains Jamiyah. “I have that desire to help people, make their lives better and be there for them. I want a couple of degrees and just to continue learning.”

At Withrow High School two students — Oliver Tiani Vessah and Harsh Minhas — received the Marian Spencer Scholarship, which is offered to high-achieving Cincinnati Public Schools graduates. First announced in 2021, the Spencer scholarship covers undergraduate tuition, housing, living expenses and service-learning opportunities.

"It's an opportunity to live and breathe Bearcats for the next four years; it means a lot,” Oliver said during a Local 12 News Interview.  “I’ve been looking at UC since freshman year—that was the main goal to go to UC.”

Two students at La Salle High School — Owen Herzog and Nick Kolbinsky — were also among the first to be admitted to UC for the fall semester. Owen received a total of $12,000 in scholarships while Nick received a $6,000 scholarship.

“It feels great. I was very surprised by this and grateful for the scholarship,” Nick told Spectrum News for a segment. 

The value of a UC education continues to be a powerful attraction  — more than 30,000 applicants have applied to become Bearcats.

“We are so thrilled that so many decide to stay right here and take part in a world-class education at the University of Cincinnati,” explained Jack Miner, vice provost for enrollment, during a segment on Spectrum News.

Decision Day events attracted media from across Greater Cincinnati. See their coverage:

WLWT

Spectrum News

Local 12

Fox 19

Featured top image of Harsh Minhas taken during Decision Day 2025 by Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand.