Letter from Our Executive Director
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It was a productive fall for the Emeriti Association. The Board and I had set forth an ambitious agenda to create new partnerships on campus and in the community, to increase programming and social activities available to emeriti, and to begin the process of adding new student interns to our support team. We successfully accomplished these goals.
In an effort to expand interdisciplinary opportunities for emeriti, I had a series of beneficial meetings. I met with a representative of UC’s 1819 Innovation Hub and discussed potential research collaborations as well as hosting emeriti events at their new facility.
With UC Press, I discussed a book that could be authored by emeriti. With Board members and other stakeholders, there was a productive brainstorming session about a new version of the Oral History Project, as well as a meeting with the Office of the Provost about how emeriti can be involved with the new Faculty Enrichment Center.
Board President Pat Mezinkis and I met with the leadership of the retirement community Maple Knoll Village and organized an on-site meeting for emeriti interested in engaging with their community. (Please see Pat's letter and the feature article about this below.) Members of the Luncheon Speaker Series' Committee and I were able to solidify the first two EmeriTALKS events. The first occurred last week and was a big success. The next one will be held in April. And, the Special Activities Committee organized a calendar of CCM events for emeriti to attend free of charge. We'd like to encourage you, your friends and associates to attend these talks, performances and special events. More information about them appears later in this newsletter.
The Board approved hiring multimedia interns, who will assist with our digital communications, the design and build of a new Emeriti Association website, photographing and videotaping our special events, and archiving this documentation in a new web presence, so that all members can easily access it. We will interview student candidates soon.
Thanks to the hardworking members of the various standing committees that assisted in creating what is truly a significant number of opportunities and activities to engage emeriti on and off campus. Finally I want to express appreciation to all emeriti who participated in the end-of-year Membership Survey, which was emailed this past December. The information collected will be valuable, as we continue to develop new projects and programs.
Peter DePietro
Provost Fellow/Executive Director of the Emeriti Center
Professor of Electronic Media/New Media
University of Cincinnati
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Letter from Our Board President
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I hope that you had a wonderful holiday season and I wish you all the best in 2019!
I would like to highlight three items in my letter: 1) a recent challenge grant we received, 2) a luncheon open to emeriti at Maple Knoll Village on March 7
th
, and 3) Emeriti Board elections.
First of all, we received a challenge grant to the Emeriti Association from Gene and Dottie Lewis. Gene is a former Emeriti Board member, and also a former provost of the university. They have generously donated $4,000, in hopes that the Emeriti Board would match the grant, and that emeriti at-large would also match the grant. We are happy to report that the board has donated $4,000 and we are now opening this challenge to you. Dottie and Gene would like the money to go to the “PuttingRetention 1st in the Zest of Excellence” (PR1ZE) Mentoring Program at UC. Some of you attended the April Luncheon Speaker Series last year, when Carol Tonge Mack, founder and co-director, described the program, which was started in 2009. PR1ZE aims to help improve the retention and graduation rate of African-American students.
Secondly, I would encourage you to attend a luncheon, hosted by Maple Knoll Village on Thursday, March 7 at their facility in Springdale. There will be a speaker who will describe the collaboration Maple Knoll has with the University of Cincinnati in a variety of areas, including medicine, nursing, and engineering. The presentation will also highlight how emeriti might be involved in research/projects, as well as volunteer opportunities at MKV. An optional tour of the MKV campus will follow the lunch. We will send an eblast in the near future requesting an RSVP to this luncheon. Also, please see the article by Megan Ulrich, VP of Corporate Communications at Maple Knoll, in this issue of the newsletter, discussing the history of this partnership.
Lastly, please consider running for a position on the Emeriti Board. We will have elections at our annual meeting this spring. This is a wonderful way to meet emeriti from many different areas and remain connected to the university. Feel free to write to me if you have any questions about a board position. I would be happy to talk to you about this. And as always, I welcome your feedback and suggestions.
Pat Mezinskis
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In This Issue
Luncheon Speaker Series/EmeriTALKS
Matching PR1ZE Grant
Second Act
UC Partnership with Maple Knoll Village
Emeriti Activities
Volunteer Opportunities
In Memoriam
About Campus
University News
This Month in UC History
Scroll down for individual sections.
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Luncheon Speaker Series/EmeriTALKS
February - April, 2019
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Details about the following events will be emailed to members in advance of the scheduled dates.
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February 21
Keisha Love, PhD
Associate Provost for Faculty Development and Special Initiatives,
University of Cincinnati
UC's Faculty Enrichment Center: A Hub for Professional Development, Collaboration, Inclusion and Community
Dr. Keisha Love will talk about the future Faculty Enrichment Center (FEC). Construction of the FEC on the fifth level of Langsam Library is underway, with an anticipated opening in Fall 2019. A task force has been working with the Office of the University Architect to design a space that is comfortable and attractive to diverse faculty, but is also well-equipped to foster innovative activities, collaboration and host events (educational and social) that will be of broad interest to faculty. The FEC strives to create a culture of engagement for all UC faculty that has a positive impact on professional development, collaboration, inclusion and community.
Langsam CETL Room 480C, Lunch - 11:45 AM, Talk - 12:15 PM
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February 28
Diana Schorry Brightman, PhD
Genetic Counselor I, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
Direct-to-Consumer Ancestry Testing in the Age of Genetic Crime Solving
Millions of Americans have already sent DNA samples to Ancestry.com or 23andMe, to learn about their ethnic origins – sometimes with very interesting and surprising results. But Dr. Diana Brightman, will focus instead on a powerful and controversial new development in genetic testing: the use of public genealogical databases to identify suspects through analysis of DNA from crime scenes. This approach has stimulated outpourings of relief from grateful communities in some high-profile cold cases, such as the Golden State Killer, but also has raised serious ethical questions. Join us on the 28
th
for a lively presentation and discussion.
Langsam CETL Room 480C, Lunch - 11:30 AM, Talk - 12 noon
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March 28
EmeriTALKS Special Event
Adam Gelter
Executive Vice President, Development, 3CDC
(
Cincinnati Center City Development Corp.)
Transforming Cincinnati's Urban Core:
An Economic and Social Metamorphosis
3CDC was formed in July 2003, as part of an overall system to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of development activities in the City of Cincinnati. At the time, government officials and industry leaders agreed that the economic future of Cincinnati depended on a strong and vibrant downtown. Working collaboratively with the City of Cincinnati, the State of Ohio, and members of the corporate community, 3CDC is a leader in the effort to transform Cincinnati's urban core. Executive Vice President of Development, Adam Gelter, will discuss the transformation, its impact on the city and its residents, and some of 3CDC's future projects.
Location TBA, Lunch - 11:30 AM, Talk - 12 noon
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April 25
Nancy Zimpher, PhD
Former President of the University of Cincinnati and former Chancellor of the State University of New York system of public institutions
Everything I Know, I Learned in Cincinnati:
A Case Study of Collective Impact
I
n her storied career, Dr. Nancy Zimpher has held the titles of Chancellor of the State University of New York (SUNY), Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee (UWM), President of the University of Cincinnati (UC), and Dean and Professor of Education at Ohio State University. She has the distinction of being the first female to serve as Chancellor of SUNY, UWM's first woman chancellor, and UC's first female president. In her return to the UC campus for the Emeriti Luncheon Speaker Series, Dr. Zimpher talks about the collective impact her time in Cincinnati has had on her journey as a professional.
Langsam CETL Room 480C, Lunch - 11:30 AM, Talk - 12 noon
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Grant Challenge for PR1ZE
Gene Lewis, Professor Emeritus, and his wife Dottie have offered a generous matching grant of $4,000 for the PR1ZE Mentoring Program. The Board has met the $4,000 challenge, and now we are asking Emeriti-at-large to also meet this challenge. This would give the Emeriti Association a total of $12,000 for this important program. This is an exciting opportunity to expand mentorship with UC students.
Please act now by donating at the UC Foundation website by clicking the button below. Thank you!
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Dr. Anthony Perzigian
Egypt to Cincinnati: An Education Legacy
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Nelson Mandela once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” In 2010 Dr. Anthony Perzigian, Professor Emeritus and former University of Cincinnati Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs, would travel to Egypt to help young adults with their education. This would be his second act. And with it, he would help change the world of Egyptian students.
In 2006, Future University in Egypt (FUE) was created. Located in New Cairo, Egypt, it is an institution of higher learning that aims to provide students a higher education experience that will prepare them for the global stage. FUE has partnerships with major corporations and academic institutions throughout the world, including the University of Cincinnati (UC).
Upon announcing his retirement from UC, Tony was approached by Dr.
Adel Sakr, Professor Emeritus, and asked to take up a new challenge in Egypt. The opportunity was to assist Future University in Egypt in developing curricula similar to that of an American university, curricula that would present students with a kind of learning, different than that which the university had offered.
So,
in 2010 with a position secured at FUE, Tony and his wife moved to Cairo to contribute to the development of this young university. However, his time in Egypt would be marked by
social unrest and
political upheaval. In 2011 the Arab Spring began, and the Egyptian government became unstable. This affected the livelihood of numerous institutions and organizations, and for a period in 2011 FUE closed. This would cause Tony and his family to return to Cincinnati. When the turmoil subsided, he returned to continue his work at the university. But, in 2013, a second revolution occurred in Egypt. Once again Tony and his family returned stateside.
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An unpredictable and interesting thing happened. During the the time of the turmoil, FUE saw a rise in attendance. Young adults in Egypt became emboldened and determined to educate themselves. Today, the university has a student population of over 8,000 students.
In Cincinnati, Tony continues to interact with FUE exchange students, who come to the UC to study. He says that his work with FUE is some of the most gratifying of his career. Egyptian students studying in the United States are quick to embrace American culture, and, in particular, that of UC. They show much pride in wearing the ‘C’ paw.
UC and FUE have been faithful partners for years. The success of the partnership is because of the abundant support from UC, especially President Pinto and individual contributors. Recently UC extended its agreement with FUE, so the partnership will continue. Thanks to all these individuals these young adults in Egypt are given an opportunity to change their society through education.
Tony returns to Egypt two to three times a year. He truly has made a lasting impact on FUE, UC, and the students on both campuses.
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Photographs courtesy of Dr. Anthony Perzigian
Do you happen to be in the middle of your own Second (or third) Act?
Email us
to let us know and you may find your story in a future newsletter.
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UC Partnership with Maple Knoll Village
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University and Retirement Community Affiliation Takes Partnership to the Next Level
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A formal affiliation with Maple Knoll Village, a continuing care retirement community with a 170 year history, and The University of Cincinnati has brought intergenerational relationships, opportunities to age in place, technology, real world experience and more to both campuses.
The collaboration is based on a 30-year history of working together in nursing, medical, and pharmacy education and practice. In 2012, through a partnership with the UC College of Nursing, a villa on the Maple Knoll campus was transformed into a learning and test environment for the development of technologies aimed at keeping seniors in their own homes or communities longer.
The house serves as a location for experiential learning for students and volunteers in health care fields, engineering and other related areas. The Innovation Collaboratory is home to telehealth robots and patient simulators, and is now the testing ground for innovative student projects aimed at detecting falls, preventing medication errors and making life easier for an aging population. A university wide Affiliation was signed in April of 2015 and then renewed in May of 2018 to further promote collaboration.
The relationships continue to be a draw for retirees who are focused on active, intellectually stimulating and intergenerational retirement environments, which is exactly what an affiliation with a college campus has to offer. The mission of the partnership is to create a nationally recognized interdisciplinary learning partnership for students, faculty, practitioners, employees, and researchers that strives to enhance the quality of care and services for older adults. This will further the missions of the University of Cincinnati and Maple Knoll Communities by fostering a sustainable program of innovation, research, and practice.
For additional information please visit https://www.mapleknoll.org/ucaffiliation or call 513.782.2424.
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This article was written by
Megan Gresham-Ulrich, Vice President of Corporate Communications, Marketing and Development at Maple Knoll Communities, Inc.
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Emeriti Social Activities
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CCM Performances
The Emeriti Association is pleased to announce the calendar of CCM performances available to members during the Spring 2019 semester. As a bonus to emeriti, there is
no charge
for these events, so come hear the stars of tomorrow on stage today at CCM.
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Die Fledermaus
Saturday, February 9
Cohen Family Theatre, 8:00 PM
CCM Concert Orchestra
Friday, March 8
Patricia Corbett Theatre, 8:00 PM
CCM Chamber Winds
Wednesday, April 10
Patricia Corbett Theatre, 8:00 PM
UC Bearcat Bands in Concert
Thursday, May 2
Corbett Auditorium, 7:00 PM
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Information about picking up tickets, as well as associated social activities will be emailed in advance of performances. If you have questions, please email Terrence G. Milligan, Board Vice President,
terence.milligan@uc.edu.
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These events have been organized by the Social Activities Committee, Terry Milligan and Mary Stucky, Co-Chairs.
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There are many volunteer opportunities for emeriti in Greater Cincinnati. Here are a couple.
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Split the Pot: Cincinnati Reds Home Games
Split the Pot
takes place at all Reds home games. When volunteering for
Split the Pot,
individuals canvas the Great American Ball Park and sell 50/50 raffle tickets: 50% of the money taken in by the raffle ticket sales benefits The Reds Community Fund, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of youth by leveraging the tradition of the Cincinnati Reds and the game of baseball. Volunteers are needed from the time gates open until the seventh inning. After volunteers finish their shifts they can watch the remainder of the game.
For more information about
The Reds Community Fund
, visit
https://www.mlb.com/reds/community
or call
(513) 765-7510.
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Queen City Kitchen
In 1976 Father Thomas Bokenkotter created a soup kitchen that would cater to the growing demand for free meals in the neighborhood of Over-the-Rhine. Over the last few decades it has grown into an organization and added a new location in Walnut Hills. The volunteer opportunities include preparing food for serving, serving those who are in the soup kitchen, and cleaning up the Queen City Kitchens. The Walnut Hills location also includes a pantry where volunteers can bag groceries, stock shelves and distribute groceries to guests.
For more information visit
https://www.queencitykitchen.org
or call
(513) 961-1983
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J. Wesley Alexander
J. Wesley Alexander, MD died on Saturday, July 7 at the age of 84. He was a native of El Dorado, Kansas. J. Wesley received his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston in 1957 and a Doctor of Science degree from UC in 1964. Following two years of duty with the United States Army, J. Wesley completed a fellowship in immunology at the University of Minnesota and then returned to Cincinnati in 1966 to join the UC faculty as an assistant professor. He was named the first director of the Division of Transplantation at UC in 1967, a position he held until 1999. On Dec. 11, 1967, he performed the first kidney transplant at General Hospital (now University of Cincinnati Medical Center). J. Wesley joined David Melvin, MD, on Dec. 17, 1985, to perform the first adult heart transplant in Cincinnati. Additionally, he played key roles in the development of our institution’s burn and surgical infectious disease programs. J. Wesley is survived, by his wife, Maureen.
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Sarah 'Sally' Margaret Waldkoetter
Sarah 'Sally' Margaret Waldkoetter died Friday, September 21, 2018 at the age of 81. She was born on August 2, 1937 in Seymour, Indiana to the late Harry John and Grace Mildred Carter Waldkoetter. She was a 1959 graduate of Evansville College with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. In 1965 she graduated from Indiana University with a Master of Science in Nursing and then went on to University of Cincinnati as a Doctoral Candidate. Sally worked at Babies Hospital, Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City from 1959 to 1964 and was a Professor of Nursing at Columbia University in New York City. At the University of Cincinnati, she was a Professor of Nursing from 1965 to 1968 and then Professor Emerita from 1968 to 1993 .Sally is survived by many cousins and friends.
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Satellite Campuses Go Green
Thanks to an agreement between
the University of Cincinnati and American Electric Power
UC Clermont and UC Blue Ash along with all satellite campuses are powered by wind energy. The new contract began in October of 2018 and is projected to save the university approximately $25,000 annually. Additionally, UC Clermont is considering upgrading all their heating and cooling systems, so that they have energy efficient products. Right now, some of the systems are original, dating back to 1972. When all the work is complete, UC Clermont will see a decrease in expenses by at least 25 percent. This will have a positive impact for generations to come.
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Bicycles are Welcome
The League of American Bicyclists
recently named the University of Cincinnati as a bicycle friendly university. The award, established by the league in 2011, recognizes states, communities, universities and businesses for creating safer roads, stronger communities and a more bicycle-friendly America.
UC has a unique feature with UC Bike Kitchen located near French Hall on the Uptown West Campus. The bike kitchen trains students to repair bikes and educates them about safety on the roads and paths. Students can also lend and share bikes through this location. Biking is a healthy alternative to driving from place to place. UC is doing its part to create a more
eco-friendly environment.
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The Crack Down on Reoccurring Strokes
University of Cincinnati’s Achala Vagal, MD
, Pooja Khatri, MD, Brett Kissela, MD and Albert Barnes Voorheis were recently granted 3.2 million dollars to study why reoccurring strokes are occurring and why they have spiked in the last five years.
Dr. Vagal, Associate Professor and Vice Chair of Research in the Department of Radiology, is the principal investigator
in the study. Annually, around 800,000 people will have a stroke each year and of those the likelihood of a reoccurring stroke is around 25%. While health professionals understand the triggers and risk factors of an initial stroke, researchers are trying to pinpoint the cause of reoccurring strokes. The study is titled APRISE (Assessing Population-based Radiological brain health in Stroke Epidemiology). It will be based off the Greater Cincinnati Northern Kentucky Stroke Study (GCNKSS) which has compiled stroke data since the 1990s.
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DAAP Professor Creates an App to Help Children Learn
Renee Seward, Associate Professor in the School of Design at the UC College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning (DAAP)
was inspired to create an app for cellphones that helps adolescents learn to read. Professor Seward’s friend's son was struggling to learn how to read because of default formatting issues on the Apple's i-Phone. Professor Seward realized early on in her research that a child's struggles to read after the fourth-grade can lead to other negative learning outcomes. For her new app, she
researched sensory methods that help kids learn how to read, applied graphic design principles to the challenges that some students face when trying to learn, and even designed a new font. The app, called See Word Reading, is available in the Apple App Store.
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In 1904 the University of Cincinnati enrollment had grown prompting the need to plan a better campus layout. President Howard Ayers hired well known campus planner and architect McKim, Mead and White, who created a plan in the Beaux Arts tradition: with symmetry of form and axial alignments composed of hierarchical spaces surrounding a central quadrangle. These plans would lay the ground work for the campus present day, pictured above.
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