Generous alumnus leaves lasting legacy for UC DAAP students, library

Houts, who earned a bachelor's degree in architecture, recently designated his Individual Retirement Account (IRA) to UC, specifically for an endowed scholarship fund for architecture students and the ambitious Robert A. Deshon and Karl J. Schlachter Library for Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning project to digitize Cincinnati archival materials.

“I was lucky enough to go to school when it was a little more affordable and I didn’t have near the debt that I know students have today,” says Houts. “Because I teach part time at a college here in Chicago, I know how expensive the tuition can be right now, so I wanted to make sure it went toward an institution I knew worked well, knew what they did and knew how well the school was run. When I was at UC, it was one of the best experiences of my life.”

Originally hailing from Youngstown, Ohio, Houts' childhood dreams of becoming an architect led him to UC. Drawn by the cooperative education opportunities offered, he applied to UC, making it his sole choice for higher education.

His UC architectural education involved co-op experiences in Cleveland, Indianapolis and Baltimore, while also seizing the opportunity to study abroad in an exchange program for nine months in Portsmouth, England. “My co-op experiences were some of the best parts of my education. I saw first-hand how these businesses work from the inside and where my talents could contribute the most in this field.”

Reflecting on his time abroad, he encourages others to explore different cultures. “It really sheds light on how people from other cultures, with vast differences in the way they live and work, are all still very similar. These experiences helped open my eyes to the universal interconnectedness of all humanity.”

As Houts carved his own path in the professional world, he eventually established his own architectural firm in Chicago more than 20 years ago. Now, as he plans for retirement, Houts has added a home on a picturesque 120-acre development to his portfolio, located near Michigan City, Indiana.

Remaining deeply connected to UC, Houts maintains close ties, frequently reuniting with old classmates for Bearcat football games and international trips. His ongoing involvement with the university landed him back at UC recently to redesign and help get permits for the reconstruction of the Kappa Kappa Gamma Clifton Avenue sorority affected by flooding.

“I’m still very connected to UC because it feels like where my life began,” affirms Houts. “It’s where I came into my own and met people that would remain friends for the rest of our lives. We did a lot of stuff internally, for example, we were the class that raised the most money to do our senior show. We had auctions, a bagel stand, beer blasts and played volleyball every Friday in the courtyard by the old library.”

His extraordinary act of generosity stands as a testament to the enduring influence of education and the profound impact institutions like UC can have on the lives of their alumni.

Transferring his IRA to UC was a seamless process for Houts, who encourages others to consider similar acts of generosity. "The benefit of the money I have earned throughout my life will now go to wonderful uses. Attending DAAP was such a big part of my life and I loved working in the library there," he declares, emphasizing the satisfaction of giving back to a place that played a pivotal role in shaping his future.

Houts’ legacy will continue to echo through the halls of DAAP and the Robert A. Deshon and Karl J. Schlachter Library, where future generations of students will benefit from the endowed scholarship fund and the continued digitizing of the Cincinnati archival materials made possible by his heartfelt contribution.

Featured image at top: Randal Houts on left enjoys returning to UC for Bearcat football games with his longtime Bearcat friends. Photo/provided