UC Foundation celebrates 2026 philanthropy winners
Outstanding Philanthropic Volunteer Awards recognize alumni, community leaders, faculty and students
The University of Cincinnati Foundation recognized its Outstanding Philanthropic Volunteer Award honorees at the George Rieveschl Recognition Dinner on October 22, 2026.
This annual event celebrates the individuals receiving the Foundation’s highest accolades for their extraordinary philanthropic and volunteer commitments to the University of Cincinnati and UC Health. The 2026 honorees are: James “Jim” L. Grau, Bus ’73; Amanda L. Wait, Bus ’00; Robert Neel, MD, Med ’00; the Timothy Freeman, MD, Center for Developmental Disabilities team; and Grant Comer, Bus ’26.
The dinner is named in honor of Dr. George Rieveschl, Jr., an internationally known chemist, scientist, UC alumnus, professor and researcher. He invented the antihistamine, Benadryl, in the 1940s. He was also a visionary philanthropist whose tireless efforts to generate private support for UC left an indelible mark on the university and health system. Dr. Rieveschl’s efforts led to the creation of the UC Foundation in 1975, where he served as its first chairman.
“The annual George Rieveschl Recognition Dinner is one of my favorite annual events because we honor the individuals and teams who embody his spirit,” said UC Foundation President Rich Bundy. “This year, our honorees are mentors, devoted Bearcats, healthcare champions and student advocates. I’m grateful for their devotion to our university community.”
Chairperson's Award — James “Jim” L. Grau, Bus ’73
James “Jim” L. Grau, Bus ’73. Photo/UC Alumni Association.
The Chairperson’s Award is the UC Foundation’s highest recognition for a volunteer who has made a significant, institution-wide philanthropic impact.
Long before he attended UC, Jim Grau, Bus ’73 was a Bearcats fan. Among his fondest memories are listening to UC basketball games on the radio with his family. A first-generation graduate, Grau is now a transformative leader, dedicated mentor and unwavering advocate for student success. Through his years of support, Grau has become an essential part of the Carl H. Lindner College of Business and the broader UC community.
In 2023, Grau made a transformational gift to the Lindner College of Business and UC Athletics that reflected his passions and interests. His generosity named the Grau Center for Professional Selling, advancing the sales center’s national reputation and directly enhancing experiential learning for countless students.
His commitment extends far beyond this signature investment. Grau also provides critical support to Lindner Business Honors, as well as to UC’s men’s basketball and football programs, demonstrating his belief in developing well‑rounded student leaders across academics, athletics and professional pathways.
Grau regularly returns to campus to participate in Sales Center programs, student competitions, and Lindner Business Honors experiences. Time and again, he shows his dedication to his alma mater through his leadership, mentorship, philanthropy and passion for the Bearcats community.
Trustees’ Award — Amanda L. Wait, Bus ’00
Amanda L. Wait, Bus ’00. Photo/Provided.
Amanda L. Wait, Bus ’00, is a distinguished antitrust attorney and active UC volunteer and champion. Integrating her expert professional experience and passion for education, Wait advances the mission of UC across colleges and roles.
Wait has been a key force in shaping the mission of UC’s Kautz-Uible Economics Institute. As a co-leader of the eConnect initiative, she provides mentorship, scholarship opportunities and professional development for economics students.
Wait has been a valuable resource for the Donald P. Klekamp College of Law, collaborating with Dean Haider Hamoudi and faculty to provide expertise on antitrust law and related legal matters. In 2017, Amanda received the Carl H. Lindner College of Business’ PACEsetter Award, recognizing her as a leader in her field.
Wait’s deep commitment to giving back also includes serving on the UC Foundation Board of Trustees. Since joining the board in 2020, she has served on several committees, helped recruit student trustees and mentored students.
In addition to her professional and philanthropic contributions, Wait is a proud Bearcats fan, a devoted mother to two boys and an advocate for women in business and law.
Staff Award of Merit — Robert Neel, MD, Med ’00
Robert Neel, MD, Med ’00. Photo/UC Foundation.
Robert Neel, MD, Med ’00, has been a neurologist at the University of Cincinnati Gardner Neuroscience Institute since 2005. He is the director of the Hugh H. Hoffman ALS/Motor Neuron Disease Multidisciplinary Clinic at UC Health and is a professor in the Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine specializing in ALS, muscular dystrophy and autoimmune neuromuscular disorders. Dr. Neel is also the director of the Neurology Residency Program at the UC College of Medicine.
A strong advocate of the impact of philanthropy on healthcare outcomes, Dr. Neel was instrumental in determining how $13.5 million of Hugh H. Hoffman’s estate gift would be used. This included creating two endowed chairs within the institute and expanding the clinic’s ability to help more patients. Through his advocacy and partnership, Dr. Neel demonstrated how the Hoffman gift would support the clinic and drive ALS research for generations to come.
A UC alumnus, he completed medical school at the College of Medicine, followed by a neurology residency at the UC Medical Center as well as a fellowship in neuromuscular medicine and neurophysiology.
Group Philanthropy Award — the Timothy Freeman, MD, Center for Developmental Disabilities Team
The expansion of the Freeman Center was celebrated in September 2025. Photo/UC Foundation.
The Timothy Freeman, MD, Center for Development Disabilities was founded in 2022 as an interdisciplinary primary care clinic for the care of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The center is named in honor of Timothy Freeman, MD, a long-time UC Health physician and assistant professor in the UC Department of Family and Community Medicine, whose life work was dedicated to caring for adults with disabilities.
The Freeman Center is the region’s first and largest center dedicated to providing healthcare to adults with developmental disabilities. A first-of-its-kind approach, the center combines primary care, behavioral health, psychiatry, physical medicine and rehabilitation, social work and dietary support and nurse coordination.
The Freeman Center team is dedicated to helping each individual they serve feel seen, respected and empowered. Currently serving more than 1,800 adults in our community, the Freeman Center team played a key role in advocating to secure $6 million in state and federal grants, as well as helping raise more than $8 million from private donations. In great part due to the strength of the team’s relationships with philanthropic supporters, they have been able to secure more than $3 million to create a dental clinic at the Freeman Center.
Student Philanthropy Award — Grant Comer, Bus ’26
Grant Comer, Bus ’26. Photo/Provided.
Grant Comer, Bus ’26, embodies the spirit of bold, student-driven innovation. As president of the Lindner Investment Banking Club at the Lindner College of Business, Comer had the vision and initiative that fundamentally changed the way UC prepares its students for the highly competitive fields of investment banking and private equity.
As a student, Comer saw a need for a structured, university-supported pathway into the rigorous and competitive investment banking industry. Engaging with college leadership and alumni, Comer and his vice president, Mac Miller, embarked on an effort to demonstrate the need for an intentional system to position students for success.
Through outreach, cold calls and relationship-building, Comer and club members catalyzed what would become the Lindner Investment Banking Accelerator, a transformative program designed to train, mentor and professionally prepare students pursuing careers in investment banking.
The accelerator now offers Bearcats structured guidance, experiential opportunities and professional readiness tools that previously did not exist. Comer’s advocacy helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars in philanthropic support to launch and sustain the accelerator.
After graduation, Comer completed an Ironman 70.3 in Florida before heading to New York to begin work at global independent investment banking advisory firm Evercore.
Featured image at top: Carl H. Lindner College of Business. Photo/Chris Radcliffe 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.
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