Five people standing in the College of Business

Champions of progress and opportunity

Pam and Tom Mischell are a force for good in the UC community

By Julia Mace Email Julia

6 minute read July 16, 2025

Tom Mischell, Bus ‘70 is quick to share his favorite University of Cincinnati memory.

“Meeting Pam.”

Tom met his wife, Pam Mischell, DAAP ‘71, as a University of Cincinnati student. When a date canceled his plans to go to a concert, he asked a Phi Kappa Theta fraternity brother to help him find a new date.

“I told my fraternity brother, ‘I don't care you who you get, I spent $3 for these tickets, and I need a date for tonight,’” Tom laughs.

Pam agreed to go, and they've been together ever since, now married 55 years.

A force for good

Portrait of Tom Mischell, Linder College of Business.

Beginning at a young age, the couple have been leaders and benefactors of the Greater Cincinnati region. They have generously given their time and energy to the many facets of the university community, including, but not limited to, UC Athletics, the UC Carl H. Lindner College of Business, the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center, the UC Gardner Neuroscience Institute and the UC College of Medicine.

Tom has held various high-level volunteer leadership positions, including serving as a UC Trustee, a UC Foundation Trustee, and a UC Health Board of Directors member.

“Pam and Tom Mischell exemplify a lifetime of compassionate leadership and dedicated service,” said UC President Neville Pinto. “Together, they have advanced their alma mater with generosity and vision. Our community is better because of their kindness, their wisdom and their lasting impact.”

Pam and Tom Mischell exemplify a lifetime of compassionate leadership and dedicated service. Together, they have advanced their alma mater with generosity and vision.

Neville G. Pinto UC President

A deep commitment to the Carl H. Lindner College of Business

During Tom’s time as a volunteer leader, UC’s Uptown Campus was physically transformed, and he was among those responsible for advocating for this change. The growth of UC’s campus extends to a place close to his heart, the Carl H. Lindner College of Business. Opening in 2019, the innovative Lindner Hall is a physical expression of how the college is elevating the student experience and transforming business education at UC. The Pam and Tom Mischell Dean’s Board Room is among the elevated spaces.

Tom fondly recalls when the college was named after his friend and employer, the late Carl H. Lindner Jr., founder and chairman of the American Financial Group.

“When they named the college after my friend, Carl, that was as good as it gets,” Tom, who had a 40-year career at American Financial. “I had lunch with him every day for 40 years. We were just good friends and that made me very happy.”

Portrait of Tom and Pam Mischell, Linder College of Business. Mischell’s with business students.

Miller Anderson, Bus ’26; Aaron Breeze, Bus '26; Daniel Breslin, Bus ’25.

The Mischells recently endowed a professorship at the college in the Department of Finance, Real Estate and Insurance and Risk Management and/or the Department of Accounting. They have also provided opportunities for Lindner Business Honors students through scholarship. A regularly scheduled lunch with recipients is something both parties value.

Third year student Miller Anderson, Bus ’26, appreciates the time she’s spent with the Mischells, “they are kind and authentic while having a sense of humor.”

“It is clear that they have made a significant impact on the college and UC as a whole,” she says. “What might not be so obvious is the significant impact they have made on me personally. Their generosity has enabled me to have an incredible college experience on both the academic and personal levels.”

Miller’s scholarship allowed her to take advantage of three study abroad programs and four co-ops. She’s been empowered to get involved on campus and give back to the community.

“I'm so grateful for the direct and indirect impact that the Mischells have had on my life, and I hope to one day model their generosity in supporting students like myself,” she adds.

Daniel Breslin, Bus ’25, newly employed at Eli Lilly and Company, keeps in touch with the Mischells through the lunches and holiday cards.

“Your generosity has given me incredible career exposure across three clubs and five internships,” Breslin recently wrote in a thank you note. “Without your donations, I never would have had these wonderful opportunities.”

Grateful giving to advance health

Pam says their interest in supporting the work of the College of Medicine, the Gardner Neuroscience Institute and UC Health has increased since Tom was diagnosed with a neurodegenerative disorder. They are thankful for the care Tom has received at UC Health.

“We thought it would be good to support neurology and palliative care,” Pam says. “And UC Health has been very helpful in connecting me with caregiver resources. It’s been invaluable.”

In 2019, the Mischells created a fund advancing research into the study of brain and spinal cord tumors, many of which rank among the most life-threatening forms of cancer. The gift advances pilot studies and investigator-initiated research.

Bearcats for life

From serving as volunteer leaders, to attending UC men’s basketball games, to meeting students, the Mischells enjoy it all.

Giving to the place that gave them so much is easy.

“I was successful as a result of my time at UC,” Tom says. “It made my life.”

Featured image at top: Daniel Breslin, Aaron Breeze, Pam Mischell, Tom Mischell and Miller Anderson. Photo/Melanie Schefft for the UC Foundation.

This is how breakthroughs happen

Your generosity has illuminated what’s next: Student success beyond the classroom. Bearcats winning on the Big 12 stage. The gift of discovery for the health of our community. When you give to the University of Cincinnati and UC Health, you invest in the problem-solvers of tomorrow.