UC celebrates Bicentennial graduates

The University of Cincinnati awarded degrees Saturday to undergraduate students on the final day of a record-breaking spring commencement that coincides this year with the university’s 200th anniversary.

UC President Neville Pinto’s commencement address at Fifth Third Arena echoed the Bicentennial theme – to be Boldly Bearcat.

“More than a motto, 'Boldly Bearcat' is an attitude – reaching for your success by seeking the highest, challenging the norms to achieve something better and living a life of legacy that creates a positive impact,” Pinto said.

This week’s celebration marks the biggest graduating class in the history of the University of Cincinnati. UC has set graduation records in three of the last four years. UC recognized an estimated 6,653 students for the spring 2019 commencement, topping last year’s 6,496 which was the old record.

The spring class hails from 75 countries, 49 states and the District of Columbia. About 71 percent of the graduates are Ohioans who hail from 80 of Ohio’s 88 counties.

Pinto reflected on UC’s humble beginnings.

“Looking back, our first class 200 years ago comprised of an enrollment of just 70 students. In contrast today, the University of Cincinnati enrolls more than 46,000 students and has grown to become a major Carnegie 1 research university with a local heart and a global mindset,” Pinto said.

Graduates filed into the newly renovated Fifth Third Arena to “Pomp and Circumstance” while family and friends waved from their seats in the packed arena.

UC Board of Trustees Chairman William C. Portman III urged graduates to be open to learning in their futures.

On Saturday, UC presented Thomas Cassady with an honorary doctor of letters.

Cassady is a UC graduate with a degree in history who served as member and chairman of the UC Board of Trustees between 2010 and 2019. He is president and CEO of Cincinnati’s USI Midwest,  a national insurance brokerage firm. Previously, he served as founder, president and CEO of Queen City Insurance Agency. 

“President Pinto, I have the honor to present Mr. Thomas D. Cassady with a degree of doctor of letters honoris causa in recognition of his deep love of the liberal arts, his breakthrough professional success and his unrivalled commitment to this community,” UC Executive Vice President Ryan Hays said in his presentation.

Pinto thanked Cassady for his service and credited him with helping the university reach milestones such as this year’s record-breaking graduating class.

“You embody the highest aspirations of a liberal arts education: a hungry mind, a painter’s eye, a poet’s ear, a humble spirit and, above all, a wise heart,” Pinto said. “A faithful son of the Queen City, you have devoted your life’s journey to making this community a better place to live, learn, grow, connect and care.

“Thomas D. Cassady, your alma mater is richer for your curiosity, your counsel, your optimism and, of course, your example,” Pinto said.

Among this year’s graduates are 72 student-athletes, including five who received their master’s degrees. This year’s graduates include 2017 NCAA Champion Annette Echikunwoke and two-time NCAA runner-up Loretta Blaut and Leah Heckaman.

Also graduating this week is DerMarr Johnson, a member of the 1999-2000 Bearcats team who was named Conference USA Freshman of the Year. He left UC after being selected sixth in the 2000 NBA Draft. He played for four teams in his eight NBA seasons. Johnson returned to UC in 2017 to finish his degree in interdisciplinary studies and was named a student assistant coach of the men’s basketball team.

In his commencement address, Pinto invoked UC’s founder, the late Dr. Daniel Drake who lobbied the Ohio General Assembly to approve charters for UC’s founding colleges in 1819. Drake was a Renaissance Man in Cincinnati, putting himself through medical school, creating museums and starting public libraries in the Queen City.

Pinto told graduates to follow the example Drake set in his extraordinary life. Drake pored over the dictionary to improve his vocabulary and employed his observational skills in studying nature as a boy to his medical practice, Pinto said.

“Education should not be limited to the classroom. Curiosity can also be a great teacher,” Pinto said. “In the years ahead I hope as scholars you will feed your own innate hunger for learning.”

While each graduate has a story of success to share, UC President Neville Pinto reserved special attention during the commencement ceremonies for those who exemplify the university’s ideals of scholarship, leadership, character and service as outlined in UC’s strategic direction, Next Lives Here.

Pinto honored eight graduates this year with a Presidential Leadership Medal for their accomplishments and contributions to society. 

Earlier this week, UC’s James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy conducted its hooding and recognition ceremony at Music Hall. The college recognized 97 doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) graduates, 3 Ph.D. graduates and 35 master’s graduates.

Among the PharmD students, there were 54 women and 43 men. Thirty-four percent of the class is pursuing a post-graduate residency. At least 16 graduates have close relatives who are also pharmacists. Many of these pharmacy family members joined the graduates as they crossed the stage.

Graduate Samantha Stander, PharmD, had the record for the most pharmacy family members when five joined her on stage.

Included among the master’s students were the first three graduates of the college’s 1+1 Graduate Program in drug development, an international collaboration with Xiamen University, one of the top-10 universities in China. Students complete the first year of their studies at Xiamen University before coming to UC.

“I have visited Xiamen University twice, along with some of our faculty, and it is a fantastic international partner for our college,” College of Pharmacy Dean Neil MacKinnon said. “We anticipate four new students joining our college in August as part of this program.”

The UC College of Law will celebrate its commencement at 1 p.m. May 11 at Northern Kentucky Convention Center.