Welcome to UC Clermont: Local students surprised on UC Decision Day
Batavia and West Clermont students receive scholarships
Two local high school seniors received a surprise welcome to UC Clermont on Monday as part of the University of Cincinnati’s annual Decision Day.
Student becomes teacher
From left: UC Clermont Dean Jeffrey Bauer, Justin Clark, Jennifer Clark, West Clermont student Sophia Clark and UC Associate Director of Admissions Blaine Kelley on UC Decision Day 2023. Photo/Danny Kidd
Sophia Clark, a senior at West Clermont High School in Union Township, Ohio, was the first to find out with fanfare that she’d been accepted to the college. Clark’s parents, UC Clermont Dean Jeffrey Bauer, and other UC and West Clermont representatives surprised Clark in her West Clermont Teacher Academy class. Clark, who has a 3.7 GPA, received a $2,500 UC Clermont Merit Scholarship and a $2,000 UC Grant toward her tuition.
“I chose UC Clermont because it’s close to home,” said Clark, who added that she was “overwhelmed” by the Decision Day surprise. “I’m excited to start classes in the fall and looking forward to the community and meeting new people.”
Clark plans to major in early childhood education and is getting hands-on experience now through the Teacher Academy, which places West Clermont High School students interested in education careers in middle and elementary school classrooms.
“I just want to make a difference for kids,” Clark said of her educational aspirations.
Teacher Academy instructor Michelle Dohrman said Clark has taken full advantage of being placed in a sixth grade classroom this year.
West Clermont student Sophia Clark was welcomed to UC Clermont by Blaine Kelley, UC associate director of admissions, as Dean Jeffrey Bauer looks on. Photo/Danny Kidd
“She’s teaching small groups, working with teachers and sharing with the class — she does everything and does it all with a smile,” Dohrman said. “Sophia has been phenomenal, and I’m so excited for her.”
Clark’s mother, Jennifer, said Sophia is a Type 1 diabetic who has even discussed the possibility of working in nursing education to help children when they are diagnosed with diabetes. Wherever Clark’s path leads, her parents are thrilled that UC Clermont will be her launchpad.
“My husband, Justin, and I are extremely proud of Sophia as she takes these next steps toward college and her future,” Jennifer said.
A healthy start
From left: UC Clermont Dean Jeffrey Bauer, UC associate director of Admissions, Batavia student Kristen Lammrish, Steve Lammrish, Elisa Lammrish and UC Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Management Yosmeriz Roman. Photo/Danny Kidd
The second surprise of the day was for Kristen Lammrish, a senior at Batavia High School in Batavia, Ohio. Lammrish holds a 3.9 GPA and received a $3,000 UC Clermont Merit Scholarship and $2,000 UC Grant to help cover her tuition. The Decision Day caravan, complete with balloons and Dean Bauer, found Lammrish in her English class.
“I was so excited,” said Lammrish. “I chose UC Clermont because it’s so close to home and still within my Batavia community.”
Lammrish has been accepted into UC Clermont’s physical therapist assistant program, one of the college’s most selective majors. For Lammrish, a cheerleader who has been involved in acro dance and tumbling, the program felt like a natural fit.
“I’ve always been interested in fitness,” Lammrish said. “I thought about being a physical therapist, but when I learned what a PTA does, it seemed like a better option because I’ll get to work more directly with patients.”
I was so excited. I chose UC Clermont because it’s so close to home and still within my Batavia community.
Kristen Lammrish Batavia High School senior and incoming UC Clermont student, fall 2023
Batavia High School senior Kristen Lammrish was surprised on UC Decision Day with news of her admission to UC Clermont. Photo/Danny Kidd
Lammrish’s parents were on site for the surprise and said that as an athlete, Kristen was always intrigued by the treatment of injuries and influenced by a coach who worked in physical therapy.
“She has known from the beginning that this is what she wants,” said Elise Lammrish, Kristen’s mother. “UC Clermont was the only school she applied to, specifically for the PTA program.”
Batavia High School guidance counselor Felicia Grooms described Lammrish as a “dedicated and conscientious student” who is enthusiastic about her decision to attend UC Clermont.
“Kristen decided early in the process that she was committed to attending UC Clermont, and I believe it’s the perfect place for her to pursue a career in physical therapy,” Grooms said. “She is a future Bearcat who will make the University of Cincinnati proud to recognize as one of their own.”
Clark and Lammrish will be just two of the more than 3,000 students who attend UC Clermont, a regional college of UC that offers more than 60 academic programs, including bachelor’s, associate, transfer and certificate options. The college, which awarded more than $150,000 in student scholarships in 2022, offers the resources of a world-class university in an affordable, accessible package that meets a variety of student needs and pathways.
Application for fall semester 2023 will be accepted until July 1. Learn more and apply now at ucclermont.edu/apply.
Featured photo at top: Batavia High School senior Kristen Lammrish was surprised on UC Decision Day with news of her admission to UC Clermont. Photo/Danny Kidd
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