UCATS' Mulvihill Receives Arthritis Foundation's Top Honor

The Arthritis Foundation bestowed its highest volunteer award on the University of Cincinnati's William J. Mulvihill.  Mulvihill received the Charles B. Harding Award for Distinguished Service during the foundation's national meeting on Nov. 14, 2003, in Baltimore.

“For more than 20 years, Bill Mulvihill has been a dedicated advocate for the one in three Americans with arthritis,” said Dr. John H. Klippel, president and CEO, Arthritis Foundation.  “He has always looked to the future, and to focus the Arthritis Foundation on improving the lives of people with arthritis. His passion, leadership and commitment have played a key role in our success.”

Awarded annually by the Arthritis Foundation, the Charles B. Harding Award recognizes those volunteers who have provided leadership and direction to the Arthritis Foundation, have given their time and talent generously to help others and have challenged other foundation volunteers to be their best.

During Mulvihill’s tenure as national chair of the Arthritis Foundation from 1998-2000, one of his key achievements was bringing the mission of the foundation to millions of people through technology. Under his leadership, the foundation launched its comprehensive Web site, www.arthritis.org.

Mulvihill also led the foundation to create the National Arthritis Action Plan -- the first collaborative partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to address arthritis as a public health issue -- and partnered with the Alliance for Lupus Research, a non-profit entity founded to prevent, control and cure lupus.  

Mulvihill began his association with the Arthritis Foundation more than 20 years ago at the local level with the Ohio River Valley Chapter. He became vice president of the chapter in 1984 and chair in 1987, serving until 1990. He also served as Midwestern vice chair from 1988 to 1990. Mulvihill’s national involvement includes past appointments as chair of the Financial Development Committee, vice chair of Councils, treasurer and senior vice chair.

Mulvihill is the senior associate athletic director, development at the University of Cincinnati and executive director of University of Cincinnati Athletic Team Scholarships. Mulvihill belongs to the Council for the Advancement and Support for Education, National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics and National Association of Athletic Development Directors. He received a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Cincinnati and a master’s in education from Ohio University.

The mission of the Arthritis Foundation is to improve lives through leadership in the prevention, control and cure of arthritis and related diseases.  For free arthritis information, contact the Arthritis Foundation at 800-283-7800, or visit the foundation’s Web site at www.arthritis.org.