UC mourns the loss of Bill Mulvihill, longtime UC Foundation and UC Athletics leader
The University of Cincinnati family lost one of its most outstanding Bearcats with the July 15 passing of Bill Mulvihill, Bus ’70. Over the last half-century, few people have been as involved in, committed to, and passionate about the University of Cincinnati as Bill. His impact on his alma mater has been incalculable.
Bill Mulvihill with former longtime UCAA Executive Directors Christos Demakes, left, and Jed Small, right. Photo/UC Alumni Association.
Modeling what makes a UC education so valuable, Bill’s student years informed what would become his life’s work. Indeed, his 44-year professional career flowed naturally from his vibrant undergraduate experience, and his deep involvement with various student organizations yielded relationships that benefited both him and his university for the rest of his life. Ever since his days in the 1970s as a young alumnus working directly with then-President Warren Bennis to help coordinate UC’s conversion from a municipal university to a state university, Bill was a leader and a doer on campus in a variety of key roles ranging from the UC Foundation and the UC Alumni Association to UC Athletics and the President’s Office. Through it all, his singular focus was on elevating his university and fellow Bearcats.
Bil Mulvihilll with his son, Bill Jr., at a UC Tailgate. Photo/UC Alumni Association
Bill was perhaps best known for helping to launch and lead UCATS (University of Cincinnati Athletic Teams Scholarships), the fundraising entity that fuels Bearcats athletics. UCATS began in 1979 when the university collaborated with several alumni and donors to create an infrastructure which would actively enlist the support of individuals and organizations to ensure UC Athletics could grow, both competitively and in providing its student-athletes with the best experience possible. Serving as UCATS’ executive director and then in other UC Athletics leadership positions for 26 years, Bill was ubiquitous as he engaged members of the community and UC family to offer their support; his efforts were instrumental in the rise of Bearcats athletics in recent years.
Bill Mulvihill serves on a 'Dinner with 200' panel with fellow UC alumni. Also pictured from left are Mary Wineberg, Antwone Cameron and Katie Fisher. Photo/UC Alumni Association
Bill’s organizational and fundraising prowess was also employed during a subsequent seven-year stint with the UC Foundation, where notably he served as director for the Proudly Cincinnati Campaign, UC’s first billion-dollar campaign. He became the UC Foundation’s executive vice president, then executive director of the UC Bicentennial Commission in the Office of the President. Just prior to his retirement in 2016, Bill co-edited the coffee table book of UC history, The University of Cincinnati: Soaring Into Our Third Century. Shortly thereafter, the university presented Bill with the President’s Award for Excellence, one of UC’s highest honors, to recognize the extraordinary difference he had made.
Bill with wife, Beth, and grandkids Caroline, Lincoln and Alexandra, at a UC Tailgate on the Commons. Photo/UC Alumni Association
A recitation of his career highlights can’t adequately describe the Bill Mulvihill that countless Bearcats have known, or his profound legacy at the university he loved. A storehouse of UC history, he was incredibly connected and adept at creating mutually beneficial relationships with people across the UC and Cincinnati communities.
The UC Alumni Association extends its condolences to Bill’s family, and also our appreciation for how much he cherished his university and devoted himself to its ongoing excellence.
The Mulvihill family suggests that memorials be made the Mulvihill Family Scholarship Fund at the University of Cincinnati, or the Mulvihill Family Endowment Fund at St. Xavier High School. Services will be held Saturday, Aug. 9, at St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati.
Featured image at top: Bill Mulvihill, Bus ’70, and wife, Beth, CECH ’72, at a the 2023 Rieveschl Recognition Dinner. Photo/UC Foundation
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