2004 Award Winners

McMicken College Distinguished Leadership Award

Spencer R. Crew, PhD, Executive Director and CEO, National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

Dr. Spencer R. Crew spends his life making history accessible to others. He currently serves as the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and previously distinguished himself as a curator at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, where he was the first and youngest black director of a major Smithsonian museum. His exhibition "Field to Factory" documented the migration of southern blacks to northern cities in the years during and after World War I and sparked a national discussion on the impact of migration and race. He also developed the Smithsonian's popular permanent exhibition on American presidents and oversaw preservation of the flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to write "The Star-Spangled Banner."

Dr. Crew graduated from Brown University and holds master's and doctorate degrees from Rutgers University, where he was inducted last year into the Rutgers Hall of Distinguished Alumni. He has taught at the University of Maryland in Baltimore County and is an active member of the academic and cultural communities, serving on many boards that work to generate enthusiasm for history among the general public. He is the Chair of the National Council for History Education and on the Board of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. He has published extensively in the areas of black history and public history. His goal in developing the new Cincinnati museum is to show "the pro-active way African Americans sought freedom and the way people united in support of the belief that freedom was important to preserve for everyone."

NeeOo W. Chin, MD, Psychology

When NeeOo Chin decided to follow the family tradition of practicing medicine, he drastically changed the lives of hundreds of children. He allowed them to be born! The Cincinnati based physician, one of the leading reproductive endocrinologists and infertility sub-specialists in the country, was two when his father relocated the family from Hong Kong to Walnut Hills. After graduating summa cum laude from Withrow High School, he attended Edgecliff College before transferring to the University of Cincinnati and receiving his bachelor's degree in psychology. He earned his medical degree from Ohio State University and served his residency at Duke University Medical Center where he discovered his niche—babies.

He founded Bethesda Fertility Center in 1987 and established another fertility center at Christ Hospital in 1992. Chin also lent his skills to non-human patients when he performed the world's first successful in vitro fertilization birth of a lowland gorilla at the Cincinnati Zoo. After years of performing private practice and in vitro fertilization, he decided to relocate to the Springdale area in order to concentrate on low technology infertility treatments and reproductive surgeries.

NeeOo Chin's care, compassion, and humor have become legendary among colleagues and patients. A recent article explains his decision to scale down the arduous demands of a large practice: "This change in NeeOo's life has allowed him to do what he does best, giving exceptional care, time, and attention to his patients. He conducts his practice in a down-to-earth and personal fashion, taking the time to console, to explain, and to reassure."

Michael B. Coleman, Political Science

Currently in his fourth year as mayor of Columbus, Michael Coleman is more dedicated than ever to making the city a model for others to follow and is well on his way to establishing Columbus as "America's 21st Century City." His success at improving safety, building a vibrant downtown, creating jobs, and establishing partnerships to solve community problems is enviable.

Coleman graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a bachelor's degree in political science and received his law degree from the University of Dayton Law School. He began his political career as a Columbus city council member and eventually became its president. He was elected mayor in 2000 and has established exemplary programs like the Franklin County Affordable Housing Trust Corporation, the Neighborhood Investment Districts, the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation, the Downtown Resource Center, Neighborhood Pride, the Mayor's Education Council, and the city's first Office of Education.

While Michael Coleman's extensive accomplishments and creative management speak for themselves, he is always eager to hear from the residents of his city by phone, e-mail, or through web sites. State Representative Tyrone Yates says, "Michael Coleman's career as a politician in service to the public good gives clear and categorical meaning to the education that he received from the liberal arts. His sensitivity and obligation to the needs of others is one of the most important messages and a legacy that he has learned so well."

Stuart G. Hoffman, PhD, Economics

In troubled economic times people look to experts for advice, and that expert often is economic forecaster Stuart Hoffman. Hoffman currently serves as principle spokesman on economic issues, senior vice president, and chief economist for The PNC Financial Services Group. His insight into the economy has resulted in his being quoted in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Baron's Business Week, and USA Today. He is also a frequent guest on CNBC, CNN-fn, Bloomberg TV, The Wall Street Journal Radio Report, and CNN News Radio.

After graduating from Pennsylvania State University, Hoffman received his master's and doctorate degrees in economics from the University of Cincinnati. He worked at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta before joining PNC. He is a member of the American Bankers Association Economic Advisory Committee, the Pittsburgh Film Office, and the board of directors of the Pennsylvania Partnership for Economic Education. In addition, he has developed a reputation as a clever and entertaining speaker, having recently won rave reviews for his Foy Lecture at the University of Pittsburgh.

Wolgang Mayer, professor of economics, remembers Hoffman's aptitude and excellence during his time at UC. "Stu Hoffman came to the Department of Economics on a Taft Graduate Fellowship," says Mayer. "I recall him as articulate, intelligent, and hard working. These traits enabled him to move quickly into one of the premier non-academic jobs for economists. His economic forecasts are among the most widely respected."

Donna C. Kurtz, D. Phil, Classics

Donna Kurtz, a leader in the field of classics, has dedicated her life to opening a window that will allow future generations to see the past more clearly. Kurtz currently serves at Oxford University as Director of the Archives of Sir John Beazley, one of the most prestigious antiquities research collections in existence. In 1979, she began computerization of the collection's photographs, notes, drawings, books, and impressions from engraved gems; and her work has resulted in the world's largest web site for the study of antiquities.

A Cincinnati native, Kurtz graduated from Walnut Hills High School and the University of Cincinnati. She earned a bachelor's degree in classics and was honored as a Taft Semple Scholar. She was a Woodrow Wilson Scholar at Yale University, where she was awarded her master's degree. Kurtz received her doctorate as a Marshall Scholar at the University of Oxford, which created an ad feminam post so that she could lecture in classics and curate the archives. In addition to serving as archivist of the Beazley collection, she is a professor of classics and has published numerous books and articles on classical Greek archeology and art, information technology, communications, and visual arts.

Jack Davis, professor of classics, observed that Kurtz dominates her field in the study of ancient vase painting; and the late Cedric Boulter, the professor of classics who provided her basic training, contends that "she continues to be a source of pride to our department. Her accomplishments richly deserve celebration by McMicken College."

William T. Weaver, Political Science

Bill Weaver, the vice president of west region enterprise sales for Hewlett-Packard Company, has established himself as a leader in business and the community. Weaver oversees more than 1,500 Hewlett-Packard customer accounts and is responsible for revenue in excess of $2 billion. He serves on the board of directors of e-Bank and is involved in the Chicago area community where he and his family live.

Weaver graduated from Purcell-Marion High School and attended the University of Cincinnati on a swimming scholarship. An accomplished athlete, he has run in several Chicago Marathons. After receiving his bachelor's degree in political science, he held positions in high profile technology companies such as IBM Corporation and Exxon Corporation Electronic Technology. He was later employed by Compaq Computers, where he served as vice president for U.S. sales and was responsible for the top U.S. global accounts, state and local government contracts, and education customers in the country. He was appointed to his current position when Hewlett-Packard acquired Compaq.

Neal Novak, longtime friend and Chicago attorney, says that Weaver not only sets his sights on goals but always manages to achieve them. "I have always known Bill Weaver to work hard, play hard, and dedicate himself entirely to accomplishing the task at hand, whatever it may be. Well before his achievements at Compaq and now HP, it was clear to his friends and colleagues that his success would be a function of ‘when' and not ‘whether.'"

McMicken Dean's Award for Distinguished Adjunct Performance

Michele Griegel-McCord

Earning respect from colleagues, students, and staff requires work and genuine commitment to the profession. Michele Griegel-McCord demonstrates these qualities and takes them one step further. She began her career as an adjunct instructor for the English department in 1999. Today she is field service assistant professor and associate director of English composition. In addition, she serves on the English Placement Exam and Freshman English Advisory Committees. To recognize her outstanding teaching accomplishments, she was presented with the Boyce Teaching Award in 2000. "Michele is doing an amazing job for us in the English comp office," remarks Lucille Schultz, professor of English. "She works long hours, and she works with energy, commitment, confidence; not least, she is very wise in the assistance she provides to the many, many students who come to her for help or with questions about complex situations."

Edith C. Alexander Award for Distinguished Teaching

Thomas Ridgway

Some people possess talent so special it becomes obvious upon first meeting. That talent for Thomas Ridgway, professor of chemistry, is the ability to connect with students of all levels. During the past 30 years, both faculty and students have praised his work. As director of graduate studies, he advises students during several key points in their programs. He also gives equal time to undergraduate students by conducting his own labs, a duty many others relegate to teaching assistants. He is known for his elegant, innovative, and informative presentations and lectures. "He assumes extraordinarily heavy teaching loads both as a service to the department and because he absolutely revels in contact with the students," says R. Marshall Wilson, professor and head of the department of chemistry. "At any given time, he knows all of our graduate students on a first-name basis and is constantly concerned with their problems."

McMicken Dean's Award for Distinguished Scholarship

Bruce Ault

Bruce Ault, professor of chemistry, is a renowned researcher and an excellent administrator. He has authored 185 publications, given 139 presentations, and brought $1.5 million in grant funding to the college. He has also contributed countless hours during the years he served as assistant head and department head. "This service was rendered to one of the most complex academic units of the college and university. It has a full range of degree programs; large technical, administrative, and clerical staff; and the largest number of graduate student assistantships in the college," says Joseph Caruso, chemistry professor and former dean. "For many, this daunting task would bury research and even teaching efforts but not so with Bruce. His research did not suffer; indeed it prospered, which is a true testimony to the mettle of the man."

McMicken Dean's Award for Distinguished Scholarship

Jintai Ding, Mathematical Sciences

Assistant professor of mathematics Jintai Ding is the recipient of the McMicken Dean's Award for Distinguished Scholarship. His department head, Tim Hodges, observed that he is "a brilliant and extremely talented mathematician who has become one of the world's most inventive and original experts in cryptology and information security." Using very subtle mathematical techniques, Ding has taken only a few years to become an internationally acknowledged expert invited to the world's leading cryptographic research institutions. His papers have been accepted for presentation at the world's most important international congresses and conferences. He is, as Yale mathematics professor Igor Frenkel observed, "a very powerful, original, and creative mathematician with great potential for the future. He is also a very pleasant, helpful, and energetic person and enthusiastic teacher."

McMicken Dean's Award for Distinguished Service

Lisa Newman

Some UC educators are known for the outstanding work and recognition they bring to the college community; others are recognized for excellence in the classroom. Lisa Newman, adjunct professor of communication, is known for both. Her extraordinary enthusiasm affects all her efforts: her teaching, advising, committee work, and organizing and marketing campus events. Her concern for students extends far beyond the classroom as she helps them assess their goals realistically and map plans for the future. She continues to assist many in their career searches following graduation by informing them of job opportunities and providing encouragement. "There are so many ways the college and its students benefit from Lisa's efforts – on a personal level for sure, but also as a group," remarks graduate Jeanette McClellan. "Her organizing and marketing of university events not only draw community-wide attention to A&S but also help students and faculty get to know and celebrate each other."

Carl Mills Memorial Award for Outstanding Student Relations

Jonathan Kamholtz

Jonathan Kamholtz has earned a reputation among English majors for being entertaining, stimulating and fair. He is not an easy teacher, but students search for his name each registration period because he possesses the unique ability to breathe life into literature that dates back centuries. Any student fortunate enough to hear his lectures on Chaucer or Shakespeare knows precisely why he is being honored. As director of undergraduate studies for the department, he makes time to meet with students to address their questions and concerns or simply to stop and chat with them in the hall. "Professor Kamholtz is the model by which I wish all instructors were held accountable," says English major and staff member, Nancy Bauman. "He never misses a class, is always punctual, and most importantly, he always wants to be there. His lectures are funny, lively, and engaging; the student who falls asleep in his class is extremely rare and uncommonly dense."

McMicken Excellence Award

Dorothy Young

Being the administrative assistant for the German studies department and coordinator for the European studies program may seem daunting to some, but it's a task Dorothy Young cheerfully accepts. She became the sole support for multiple departments and programs after a staff member retired two years ago. Many would have complained, but she assumed the added responsibility with a "can-do" attitude and even volunteered for additional projects. She is known among all who meet her for her diligence, creativity, diplomacy, and intelligence. In other words, she is an invaluable member of the department. "The perfect staff person is one who when encountering a problem, regardless of how impossible it may seem, sets about finding a creative, workable solution; one who is so organized and on top of things you realize only later how good she is making you look; one whose friendly, supportive personality sets the entire tone for the departmental office and raises the spirits of all who enter," says Jennifer Kelly-Thierman, coordinator of first and second year German. "Dorothy Young is worth her weight in gold."

Derek E. Dunn Memorial Alumni Scholarship

Gerritt Reeves

Junior Gerritt Reeves feels life is filled with the unexpected. He thought he was lucky to graduate in the bottom 20 percent of his high school class since he was an uninspired high school student. He was surprised to find that he enjoyed learning when he took a class at Cincinnati State. He subsequently transferred to UC, where he became a philosophy major and discovered an interest in the philosophy of cognitive neuroscience. He hopes to attend graduate school and plans to further his study of the neurological structures of the brain. "Gerritt is an intelligent, hard-working student," says Eran Kaplan, assistant professor of Judaic studies. "Learning a foreign language, particularly a language like Hebrew with its different alphabet and sounds, can be quite intimidating, but throughout the year, Gerritt has shown tremendous enthusiasm as he took this challenge head-on." Gerritt hopes that achieving a deeper understanding of the human mind will one day help him make a contribution to society. Gerritt's most inspiring faculty member is Matt Woodruff.

McMicken College of Arts & Sciences Scholarship

Laura Bauer

When junior Laura Bauer entered UC's nursing program, she assumed she had her future mapped out. She had heard that other students frequently switched majors, but she was certain of her direction. Then everything changed. After taking a psychology class, she became fascinated with the treatment of mental disorders. She realized she could remain in the medical field and still help others through the discipline of psychiatry. As a psychology major, Laura now plans to finish her undergraduate degree and enter medical school in the fall of 2006. "Laura's friendly demeanor and self initiative makes her a contributory addition in any group setting," says Ken Ghee, associate professor of psychology. "She is a confident and competent young woman who is capable of distinguished performance in reaching her professional goal of becoming a medical doctor." Laura says people frequently sought her advice when she was growing up. Today she hopes her career will be a natural extension of her past experience as she helps people live healthy and happy lives. Laura's most inspiring faculty member is Ken Ghee.

McMicken College of Arts & Sciences Dean's Scholarship

Brian Battiste

Few are eager to read Socrates and Plato in English, let alone to translate them from their original language, but junior Brian Battiste thought the act of learning ancient Greek was well worth the effort. He currently boasts a dual major in classics and philosophy; and following graduation, he plans to work toward an advanced degree in ancient philosophy, a rigorous combination of both philosophy and philology disciplines. "Brian is destined to become a thinker and a scholar, and I have a high degree of confidence that he will find his way in the academic world," says Kathryn Gutzwiller, professor of classics. "Although he is very focused on his studies, he is not narrow in his interests." Brian's goal is to become a philosopher and scholar and to work in higher education, which he regards as his calling. He believes that the writings and wisdom of the great philosophers are worth sharing with others. Brian's most inspiring faculty member is William Johnson.

Joyce E. Yeager Scholarship

Megan Varelmann

Junior English major Megan Varelmann sees her life enriched by the academic and cultural experiences UC has to offer. She hopes ultimately to work in journalism or publishing and plans to intern at both a magazine and a publishing house in order to determine where her interests lie. With extensive writing courses, a certificate in journalism, and experience as a reporter for the NewsRecord, she is well on the way to accomplishing her goal. "I would rank Megan Varelmann in the top five percent of English majors I have taught," says James Hall, associate professor of English. "She has gone from being a solid student to a shining solid student." Although Megan plans to continue her education in graduate school, she does not see a degree as an end to her learning experience. In order to enrich her own education and life she looks forward to exploring subjects about which she knows little. Megan's most inspiring faculty member is Maria Romagnoli.

Richard E. Greenholz Scholarship

Jessica Curry

Junior Jessica Curry was one so obsessed with the goal of being an attorney that, as she says, she failed to recognize "knowledge and experience have intrinsic value." As a child she was so driven by this singular goal that her appreciation for other facets of education was obscured. At the conclusion of her second year, she had earned high grades but possessed little enthusiasm for her classes. This was the pivotal point where she decided to make a change. As a philosophy major, she now tries to focus not only on her GPA but also to appreciate knowledge and experience for themselves. "It goes without saying that Jessica is diligent, hard-working and the ultimate good citizen," notes Lucille Schultz, professor of English. "She is the kind of student that is a joy to work with." Jessica still plans to attend law school following graduation but believes that "knowledge and experience lead to success only if used correctly." Jessica's most inspiring member is Timothy Allen.

Isabel & Mary Neff Scholarship

Raluca Dumitru

When Raluca Dumitru arrived at UC with recommendations from her professors and a bachelor's degree from the University of Bucharest, some might have questioned accepting her into a doctoral program in mathematics. Any doubts were quelled the first year when she accomplished the unprecedented feat of passing four preliminary examinations required by the department. Most students pursuing master's degrees take two full years to pass three of the examinations. Next year she plans to accompany her adviser, Costel Peligrad, professor of mathematics, to the University of Rome Tor Vergata to work with well-known specialists in operator algebra. The journey will expose her to a thriving and vital cluster of research centers in Rome and to numerous lectures and seminars. "I consider Raluca one of our most promising graduate students of the last 20 years," says Victor Kaftal, professor of mathematics. "What seems clear to me is that she is already capable of doing serious and worthwhile research and that supporting her at this important stage of her work is likely to yield great benefits to her research and credit to our college." Raluca's most inspiring faculty member is Costel Peligrad.